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