Sorbet RBI Generation Skill Skill

Sorbet RBI Generation Skill

Generate Sorbet type signatures in separate .rbi files. RBI files are used when you cannot or should not modify the original Ruby source - such as for gems, generated code, or legacy codebases.

Instructions

When generating Sorbet RBI signatures, always follow these steps.

Copy this checklist and track your progress:

Sorbet RBI Generation Progress:
- [ ] Step 1: Analyze the Ruby source
- [ ] Step 2: Generate RBI files
- [ ] Step 3: Eliminate `T.untyped` in signatures
- [ ] Step 4: Review and refine signatures
- [ ] Step 5: Validate signatures with Sorbet

Rules

You MUST NOT run Ruby code of the project.
You MUST NOT use T.untyped. Infer the proper type instead.
You MUST NOT use T.unsafe - it bypasses type checking entirely.
You MUST NOT use T.cast - it forces types without verification.
You MUST ask the user to provide more details if something is not clear.
You MUST prepend any command with bundle exec if the project has Gemfile.
You MUST use sig { } block syntax for method signatures.
You MUST add extend T::Sig to classes/modules before using sig.
You MUST NOT add method bodies in RBI files - only signatures and empty method definitions.
You MUST place RBI files in ./rbi directory.

1. Analyze the Ruby Source

Always perform this step.

Read and understand the Ruby source file:

Identify all classes, modules, methods, constants and instance variables.
Note inheritance, module inclusion and definitions based on metaprogramming.
Note visibility modifiers - public, private, protected.
Note type parameters for generic classes.

2. Generate RBI Files

Always perform this step.

Determine the correct RBI directory:

Place RBI files in ./rbi directory. Sorbet reads all .rbi files from this location.

RBI files are needed to describe code Sorbet cannot understand statically:
- Gem definitions
- Methods created with define_method or method_missing
- Constants from const_get/const_set
- Dynamic ancestors added via extend
- DSL-generated methods (Rails, ActiveRecord, etc.)
Create the RBI file with typed sigil:
```
# typed: strict
```
Add extend T::Sig to each class/module:
```
class MyClass
  extend T::Sig
end
```
Add method stubs with signatures (no method bodies):

Example - Ruby Source:

class User
  attr_reader :name, :age

  def initialize(name, age)
    @name = name
    @age = age
  end

  def greet(greeting)
    "#{greeting}, #{@name}!"
  end
end

Example - RBI File (rbi/user.rbi):

# typed: strict

class User
  extend T::Sig

  sig { returns(String) }
  attr_reader :name

  sig { returns(Integer) }
  attr_reader :age

  sig { params(name: String, age: Integer).void }
  def initialize(name, age); end

  sig { params(greeting: String).returns(String) }
  def greet(greeting); end
end

RBI files mirror structure but contain only signatures and empty method stubs
See syntax.md for the full Sorbet RBI syntax guide

3. Eliminate `T.untyped` in Signatures

Always perform this step.

Review all signatures and replace T.untyped with proper types.
Use code context, method calls, and tests to infer types.
Use T.untyped only as a last resort when type cannot be determined.

4. Review and Refine Signatures

Always perform this step.

Verify signatures are correct, coherent, and complete.
Remove unnecessary T.untyped types.
Ensure all methods and attributes have signatures.
Verify class hierarchy and module inclusions match the source.
Fix any errors and repeat until signatures are correct.

5. Validate Signatures with Sorbet

Always perform this step.

Run Sorbet type checker to validate signatures:

srb tc

Or with bundle:

bundle exec srb tc

This checks:

Signature syntax correctness
Type consistency
Method parameter/return type matching
Class/module structure matching source

Fix any errors reported and repeat until validation passes.

References

syntax.md - Sorbet RBI syntax guide
references/ - Real-world RBI examples from stripe-ruby
Sorbet RBI documentation - Official RBI docs

Agent Skills: Sorbet RBI Generation Skill

Install this agent skill to your local

Skill Files