Ruby, known for its elegance and simplicity, is enhanced by a rich ecosystem of libraries known as gems. For developers looking to elevate their productivity and streamline their workflow, understanding the key gems is essential. Here are 10 essential Ruby gems that every developer should know:

1. Rails: A web application framework that makes it easier to develop applications by providing a default structure for web pages, databases, and more.
2. Rspec: A testing tool for Ruby, Rspec is essential for behavior-driven development (BDD).
3. Devise: A flexible authentication solution for Rails applications.
4. Sidekiq: A background job processing gem that helps in handling tasks asynchronously.
5. ActiveRecord: An object-relational mapping system for accessing database, allowing developers to work with data as Ruby objects.
6. Pry: An alternative to the standard IRB shell for Ruby, offering powerful features like syntax highlighting and a robust debugging experience.
7. Capybara: A library for driving web applications through the browser for integration testing.
8. FactoryBot: A fixture replacement tool that allows developers to create test data quickly and easily.
9. Rubocop: A static code analyzer and code formatter for Ruby that helps maintain code quality and style consistency.
10. Paperclip: An easy-to-use gem for file attachment management in Rails applications.

Optimizing your Rails application often involves leveraging hidden Ruby gems that can enhance performance and streamline various functionalities. Many developers overlook these gems due to their niche usage or lack of documentation. However, incorporating these gems can significantly improve aspects like database interactions, caching, and background job processing. For instance, gems like bullet can help you identify and eliminate N+1 queries, while rack-mini-profiler offers insights into your application's performance in real-time, allowing you to identify bottlenecks quickly.

To begin utilizing hidden Ruby gems, start by researching gems that specifically address the pain points in your application. Consider creating a Gemfile that includes gems such as brakeman for security analysis or jruby-openssl for improved network capabilities if you're using JRuby. Don’t forget to evaluate the impact of each gem through proper benchmarking and testing to ensure that their integration leads to a better user experience without causing further complications.

Discovering new Ruby gems can significantly enhance your development process, making it easier to integrate functionality and streamline your code. To start, utilize the official RubyGems website, which offers a comprehensive search feature to find gems based on keywords or specific needs. Additionally, exploring social coding platforms like GitHub can reveal trending or popular gems within the developer community. Keeping an eye on gem repositories and following related discussions on forums can also help you stay updated on new releases and useful tools.

Another effective practice is to join Ruby community groups or forums where developers frequently share their experiences with various gems. Websites like Stack Overflow and specialized Ruby forums are great resources for recommendations and reviews. Furthermore, consider maintaining a personal gem collection or a list of favorites that you can revisit as needed. By curating a selection based on your specific projects, you can save time in the long run and ensure you are utilizing only the best gems for your development needs.