GROWTH PATTERN

Adding Activation to Rails + PostgreSQL Apps

Rails + PostgreSQL excels at user management, but misses the opportunity to automatically trigger workflows when users hit key milestones.

Rails + PostgreSQL

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What's Missing in Standard Rails + PostgreSQL Architecture

Without an infrastructure layer listening to PostgreSQL events, you rely on manual cron jobs or messy webhooks to track when users reach their first value milestone. Most setups require custom code to detect activation.

Standard Rails + PostgreSQL Flow vs Optimized Skene Flow

Standard Flow
1

User signs up via authentication

2

User record created in PostgreSQL

3

No automatic trigger - manual follow-up required

Skene Flow
1

Watch PostgreSQL 'users' table for new signups using standard API

2

Detect when user completes first key action (e.g., creates first project) using PostgreSQL queries

3

Trigger activation email sequence via Resend with personalized onboarding

4

Track activation completion and send milestone emails

Visual comparison of the flows:

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How Skene Fixes This

The Skene setup for Rails + PostgreSQL watches PostgreSQL events and triggers activation workflows when users hit key milestones. It uses standard API to send personalized onboarding sequences.

Implementation Comparison

Using Skene Infrastructure

Install via Prompt

cursor.mdc
@task: Initialize Skene.
@action: Analyze my local code, validating subscription via `npx skene login`, and generate `skene.config.ts` to implement the Activation Loop pattern for Rails + PostgreSQL.

Copy Skene Prompt for Cursor

Generated skene.config.ts

skene.config.ts
// skene.config.ts - The Automated Way
import { defineLoop } from '@skene/sdk';

export default defineLoop({
  type: 'activation',
  opinion: 'Detect when users complete their first key action and trigger personalized onboarding',
  steps: [
    {
      trigger: {
        type: 'database',
        table: 'users',
        event: 'insert'
      },
      condition: {
        type: 'query',
        query: `SELECT * FROM user_actions WHERE user_id = $1 AND action_type = 'first_project_created'`,
        timeout: '5m'
      },
      action: {
        type: 'email',
        provider: 'resend',
        template: 'activation_welcome',
        personalization: {
          name: '{{user.name}}',
          activationLink: '{{user.activation_link}}'
        }
      }
    }
  ],
  recovery: {
    retries: 3,
    backoff: 'exponential'
  }
});

Frequently asked questions