Append Rails routes (without losing existing routes)

append_routes.rb

# spec/support/append_routes.rb

# Basically this: http://experiments.openhood.com/rails/rails%203/2010/07/20/add-routes-at-runtime-rails-3/
# but in a re-usable block format.

def append_routes(&block)
  begin
    _routes = Rails.application.routes
    _routes.disable_clear_and_finalize = true
    _routes.clear!
    Rails.application.routes_reloader.paths.each { |path| load(path) }
    _routes.draw(&block)
    ActiveSupport.on_load(:action_controller) { _routes.finalize! }
  ensure
    _routes.disable_clear_and_finalize = false
  end
end

worlds_greatest_spec.rb

# spec/probably_controllers/worlds_greatest_spec.rb

# Example usage:

describe "whatever" do
  before(:each) do
    append_routes do
      match '/no_restrictions',   :controller => 'some_dummy_controller',   :action => 'no_restrictions'
      match '/role_is_required',  :controller => 'some_dummy_controller',   :action => 'role_is_required'
    end
  end

  after(:each) do
    Rails.application.reload_routes!
  end

  # Your tests here
end