Ruby 2D on Linux

Learn how to set up your Ruby environment on Linux

Install Ruby

Installing Ruby with system package managers (e.g. apt, yum, pacman) can cause issues. We recommend using rbenv, a lightweight Ruby version manager. Here’s how to set it up:

Clone the rbenv repo into ~/.rbenv:

git clone https://github.com/rbenv/rbenv.git ~/.rbenv

Run the init command to set up rbenv in your shell:
```
~/.rbenv/bin/rbenv init
```
This will print instructions for adding rbenv to your shell profile. Follow those steps, then restart your terminal (or open a new tab) so the changes take effect.

Install ruby-build as an rbenv plugin, which adds the rbenv install command:

git clone https://github.com/rbenv/ruby-build.git "$(rbenv root)"/plugins/ruby-build

Install packages to prepare your build environment.
Install Ruby and set it as your default. Version 4.0.6 is the latest as we write this, and rbenv install -l will show you the newest available:
```
rbenv install 4.0.6
rbenv global 4.0.6
```
Check to make sure everything works (the $ symbol represents the prompt):
```
$ ruby -e "puts 'Hello Ruby'"
Hello Ruby
```

Install packages

Ruby 2D needs a few system packages for low-level graphics and hardware. Install the following for your Linux distribution:

Ubuntu, Debian, and Mint

sudo apt install libsdl3-dev libsdl3-image-dev libsdl3-mixer-dev libsdl3-ttf-dev

CentOS and Fedora

sudo yum install SDL3-devel SDL3_image-devel SDL3_mixer-devel SDL3_ttf-devel

openSUSE

sudo zypper install libSDL3-devel libSDL3_image-devel libSDL3_mixer-devel libSDL3_ttf-devel

Arch

sudo pacman -S sdl3 sdl3_image sdl3_mixer sdl3_ttf

SDL3 is fairly new, so if your distribution doesn’t package it yet, you don’t have to build it by hand: run ruby2d setup and Ruby 2D will compile SDL3 (and mruby) for you, then wire it into the gem.

That’s it! Head back to the “get started” guide and write your first 2D app »

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Contents

Ruby 2D on Linux

Install Ruby

Install packages