How to install a gem or update RubyGems if it fails with a permissions error

**Installing gem or updating RubyGems fails with permissions error Then Type This Command**

sudo gem install cocoapods

I found [this how-to for `sudo`less gem][1]:

1. `brew install rbenv ruby-build`
2. `sudo gem update --system`
3. add exports to `.bashrc`:

<!-- language: lang-sh -->

export RBENV_ROOT="$(brew --prefix rbenv)"
export GEM_HOME="$(brew --prefix)/opt/gems"
export GEM_PATH="$(brew --prefix)/opt/gems"

4. And finally add this to your `~/.gemrc`:

gem: -n/usr/local/bin

5. `gem update --system`

[1]:

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You really should be using a Ruby version manager.

Using one properly would prevent and can resolve your permission problem when executing a `gem update` command.

I recommend *rbenv*.

However, even when you use a Ruby version manager, you may still get that same error message.

If you do, and you are using rbenv, just verify that the `~/.rbenv/shims` directory is before the path for the system Ruby.

`$ echo $PATH` will show you the order of your load path.

If you find that your shims directory comes after your system Ruby bin directory, then edit your `~/.bashrc` file and put this as your last export PATH command: `export PATH=$HOME/.rbenv/shims:$PATH`

`$ ruby -v` shows you what version of Ruby you are using

This shows that I'm currently using the system version of Ruby (usually not good)

$ ruby -v
ruby 1.8.7 (2012-02-08 patchlevel 358) [universal-darwin12.0]

`$ rbenv global 1.9.3-p448` switches me to a newer, pre-installed version (see references below).

This shows that I'm using a newer version of Ruby (that likely won't cause the Gem::FilePermissionError)

$ ruby -v
ruby 1.9.3p448 (2013-06-27 revision 41675) [x86_64-darwin12.4.0]


You typically should not need to preface a gem command with sudo. If you feel the need to do so, something is probably misconfigured.

For details about rbenv see the following:

*

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There are two routes: Use either rbenv or RVM. There are recipes for both below. Before you do, you probably want to turn off the installation of local documents for gems.

echo "gem: --no-ri --no-rdoc" >> ~/.gemrc

Then:

[`install rbenv` ](

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)

[`install ruby-build`](

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)

run:

rbenv install 2.1.2 (or whatever version you prefer)
rbenv global 2.1.2
gem update --system

This installs an up-to-date version of the gem system in your local directories. That means you don't interfere with the system configuration. If you're asking this question, you shouldn't be messing with system security, and you'll spend longer understanding what issues you may run into, than just having an easy way to avoid the problem you started with. Learn InfoSec later, when you know more about the operating system and programming.

For an alternative use 'RVM' instead: To [install rvm](

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) run:

rvm install 2.1.2
rvm use 2.1.2
gem update --system

This has the same result, you end up with a local Ruby and Gem system that doesn't interfere with the system versions. There is no need for Homebrew, or over-riding system libs, etc.

This worked for me. Plus, if you installed gems as root before, it fixes that problem by changing ownership back to you (better security-wise).

sudo chown -R `whoami` /Library/Ruby/Gems

Check to see if your Ruby version is right. If not, change it.

This works for me:

$ rbenv global 1.9.3-p547
$ gem update --system

I had formatted my Mac and many suggested solutions did not work for me.
What worked for me are these commands in the correct order:


1. Install Homebrew:

/usr/bin/ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL

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;

2. Install Ruby:

brew install ruby

3. Install Compass:

sudo gem install compass

Try adding `--user-install` instead of using `sudo`:

gem install mygem --user-install

You can use: gem install cocoapods --pre --user

Install rbenv by `brew install rbenv`;

Then put `eval "$(rbenv init -)"` at the end of ~/.bash_profile (or ~/.zshrc
of MacOS);

Open a new terminal and run `gem install ***` will work!