# The Rails Delegated Type Pattern

DevFeed: [The Rails Delegated Type Pattern](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/the-rails-delegated-type-pattern-33517.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://dev.37signals.com/the-rails-delegated-type-pattern/>)

Author: Jeffrey Hardy, Kimberly Rhodes, Fernando Olivares

Published: 2025-12-19T18:00:00Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [37signals Dev](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/37signals-dev.md>)

Topics: [Rails](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/rails.md>), [Architecture & Design](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/architecture-design.md>), [Scalability](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/scalability.md>), [Mobile](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/mobile.md>)

Tags: [architecture](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/architecture.md>), [rails](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/rails.md>), [scalability](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/scalability.md>), [video](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/video.md>)

## AI overview

A Recordables video episode explains how 37signals uses Rails delegated types to structure the recordables architecture behind Basecamp and HEY. It covers the pattern's hierarchy, change history, copying and moving content, querying, mobile support, tradeoffs, and long-term scalability.

## Source excerpt

Principal Programmer Jeffrey Hardy unpacks the Rails delegated type pattern that powers Basecamp and HEY.