Question: when I do rails console my git bash shell permits me to use up arrow to recall commands, and use left/right arrows to modify the text I'm entering

when I run `irb` the shell ignores backspace and arrow keys

I'm not sure why the arrow keys would work fine in the shell for rails console but not when running `irb`?

Answer: 
As I just wrote in the related [Backspace and arrow keys aren't working in IRB(Git Bash console) on windows machine](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/5660209/backspace-and-arrow-keys-arent-working-in-irbgit-bash-console-on-windows-mach):

running irb with **--noreadline** solved this problem for me:

```
irb --noreadline

```
What operating system are you running? You may need install the GNU Readline Library and reinstall ruby.