class ApplicationController < ActionController::Base
helper_method :turbo_native_app?
private
def turbo_native_app?
request.user_agent.to_s.match?(/Turbo Native/)
end
def set_turbo_native_headers
return unless turbo_native_app?
# Tell the app which navigation style to use
response.headers["Turbo-Visit-Action"] = "advance"
# Custom headers for native features
response.headers["X-Navbar-Title"] = @page_title if @page_title
end
end
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title><%= content_for(:title) || 'MyApp' %></title>
<%= csrf_meta_tags %>
<%= csp_meta_tag %>
<%= stylesheet_link_tag "application", "data-turbo-track": "reload" %>
<%= javascript_importmap_tags %>
<% if turbo_native_app? %>
<meta name="turbo-native-app" content="true">
<% end %>
</head>
<body>
<% unless turbo_native_app? %>
<%= render "shared/navbar" %>
<% end %>
<main class="<%= turbo_native_app? ? 'pt-0' : 'pt-16' %>">
<%= yield %>
</main>
<% unless turbo_native_app? %>
<%= render "shared/footer" %>
<% end %>
</body>
</html>
<% content_for :title, @post.title %>
<article class="post">
<h1><%= @post.title %></h1>
<%= simple_format @post.body %>
<% if turbo_native_app? %>
<!-- Native app: use bridge to share -->
<%= link_to "Share", "#",
class: "btn btn-primary",
data: {
bridge: "share",
bridge_title: @post.title,
bridge_url: post_url(@post)
} %>
<% else %>
<!-- Web: use Web Share API or fallback -->
<%= link_to "Share", "#",
class: "btn btn-primary",
data: {
controller: "share",
action: "click->share#trigger"
} %>
<% end %>
</article>
Turbo Native allows building iOS and Android apps using Rails server-rendered HTML with native navigation chrome. The web views communicate with native code via a JavaScript bridge for features like push notifications, camera access, or native UI patterns. I mark certain paths as non-turbo using data-turbo='false' to open them in native browsers or external modals. The server detects Turbo Native requests via user agent and can customize responses—hiding web-only UI, adjusting layouts, or returning native-friendly data. This approach delivers the development speed of web apps with the polish of native apps. For apps with limited custom UI needs, it's a compelling alternative to React Native.
