Redirect user after log in only if it's on root_path

Question

I have a root_path on my Rails application that is not user-protected i.e. it\'s a simple portal homepage, with a login form.

After the users log in, I\

Answer 1

It sounds like you're over complicating the issue. If you get into overriding routing variables it just leads to headaches down the line. I would recommend using a before filter to require a login and use the except param or skip that before filter for your landing page if you're using a separate controller. As an example:

class ApplicationController < ActionController::Base

  before_filter :require_login, :except => :root

  def root
    # Homepage
  end

  protected

  def require_login
    redirect_to login_path and return unless logged_in?
  end

end

(Make sure you have logged_in? defined)

If you are using a separate controller it will look something like this:

class HomepageController < ApplicationController

  skip_before_filter :require_login
  before_filter :route

  protected

  def route
    redirect_to dashboard_path and return if logged_in?
  end

end

Regarding proper routing after a login, that would come down to what you're doing when you're creating your session. Regardless, this setup should catch anyone that's logged in trying to hit the homepage, and route them to your dashboard and anyone trying to hit restricted content (Anything besides root) and route them to the login_path