This is an example Ratpack app that:

1. Is implemented in Java
2. Use Guice for dependency injection
3. Uses the ratpack Gradle plugin
4. Uses SpringSource's SpringLoaded for runtime reloading of classes during development

Getting Started

Check this project out, cd into the directory and run:

./gradlew run

This will start the ratpack app in a development mode. In your browser go to http://localhost:5050.

The Gradle Ratpack plugin builds on the Gradle Application plugin. This means it's easy to create a standalone distribution for your app.

Run:

./gradlew installApp
cd build/install/example-ratpack-gradle-java-app
bin/example-ratpack-gradle-java-app

Your app should now be running (see http://gradle.org/docs/current/userguide/application_plugin.html) for more on what the Gradle application plugin can do for you.

Development time reloading

Most application classes can be changed at runtime without needing to restart the application. This is made possible by SpringSource's SpringLoaded library.

If running the application via ./gradlew run, you must run ./gradlew classes in another shell in order for your source code changes to be compiled.

IDEA integration

The Ratpack Gradle plugin has special support for IntelliJ IDEA. To open the project in IDEA, run:

./gradlew idea

This will generate a .ipr file that you can use to open the project in IDEA.

In the “Run” menu, you will find a run configuration for launching the Ratpack app from within your IDE.

Hot reloading is supported in this mode. IDEA does not automatically compile source code changes while the Ratpack app is running. After making a change you must make the project to have the changes take effect (⌘9 on Mac OS).

More on Ratpack

To learn more about Ratpack, visit http://www.ratpack.io