active-record-callbacks
Active Record Callbacks
Hook into the lifecycle of Active Record objects — but only when it's the right tool.
When To Use This Skill
- Adding or modifying model callbacks (before_save, after_create, after_commit, etc.)
- Deciding whether logic belongs in a callback vs a service object
- Debugging unexpected callback behavior or ordering issues
- Implementing transaction-safe side effects (after_commit patterns)
- Halting the callback chain or suppressing callbacks
The Golden Rule
Callbacks are for model-intrinsic concerns ONLY. If the logic wouldn't make sense as a column default or database constraint, it probably doesn't belong in a callback.
✅ USE Callbacks For
- Setting defaults —
before_validation :set_default_role
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