How can I install a local gem?

Question

If I download a .gem file to a folder in my computer, can I install it later using gem install?

Answer 1

Also, you can use gem install --local path_to_gem/filename.gem

This will skip the usual gem repository scan that happens when you leave off --local.

You can find other magic with gem install --help.

Answer 2

if you download the project file from github or other scm host site, use gem build to build the project first, so you can get a whatever.gem file in current directory. Then gem install it!

Answer 3

you can also use the full filename to your gem file:

gem install /full/path/to/your.gem

this works as well -- it's probably the easiest way