application_controller.rb

class ApplicationController < ActionController::Base
  protect_from_forgery prepend: true, with: :exception
  
  private
    def smart_backlink_session
      # Clear all other links when on home page - my preference
      delete_session_paths_visited_if_on_dashboard
      
      route_name = Rails.application.routes.router.recognize(request) { |route, _| route.name }.flatten.last.name
      
      # This global variable will be passed to our views
      @path_name = "#{request.env['ORIGINAL_FULLPATH']}|#{route_name}"
      
      # We keep track on all page visited
      # Do not add same path more than once in the array ie if user refreshes browser
      session[:paths_visited] << @path_name if session[:paths_visited] and !session[:paths_visited].include?(@path_name)
    end
    
    # Delete and recreate the session with only the dashboard path in its array - again, my prefrence
    def delete_session_paths_visited_if_on_dashboard
      if request.env['ORIGINAL_FULLPATH'] == '/dashboard'
        session.delete(:paths_visited)
        # Check if your version of ruby supports "if not" or use unless
        session[:paths_visited] = Array.new(1, dashboard_path) if not session[:paths_visited]
      end
    end
end