Setting up Mailgun for Rails: Separating dev and prod environments

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1

Hey folks, I’m working on adding Mailgun to my Rails app. I’m a bit confused about how to set it up properly for both development and production.

Does anyone know if using different API keys means my mailing lists won’t show up when I switch between them? I want to keep my testing separate from the live app.

I tried using a sandbox domain, but it didn’t send any emails. Do I need to set up a special test subdomain instead?

I’m hoping to get this sorted so I can test without messing up my production setup. Any tips or best practices would be super helpful. Thanks!

2

I’ve been there, and here’s what I learned:

For development, the sandbox domain can be tricky. Make sure you’ve verified all test email addresses in Mailgun. If it’s still not working, try setting up a separate test subdomain on your actual domain. It gives you more flexibility without risking your production setup.

In production, absolutely use your own domain. It’s more reliable and professional.

Regarding API keys, using different ones for dev and prod is smart. Your mailing lists stay separate, which is exactly what you want.

One thing that helped me: set up a staging environment that mirrors production. It lets you test everything in a safe space before going live.

Remember to use environment variables for your config. It makes switching between environments much smoother.

Hope this helps you get things sorted!

3

hey swiftcoder, try the sandbox for dev and verify ricpient emails. in prod, use your own domain. different API keys are fine and won’t merge mailing lists. also use env vars to swap configs - keeps it clean and simple.

4

I’ve dealt with this exact situation before. Here’s what worked for me:

For development, stick with the sandbox domain but make sure to verify all recipient emails in the Mailgun dashboard. This is crucial - unverified emails won’t receive anything in sandbox mode.

In production, definitely use your own domain. It’s more professional and gives you full control.

As for API keys, using separate ones for dev and prod is a good practice. It keeps things isolated and secure. Your mailing lists won’t mix up.

One tip: use a gem like Figaro to manage environment variables. It makes switching between configurations a breeze.

Lastly, don’t forget to configure your Rails mailer settings for each environment. This ensures smooth operation across the board.