--- a/ruby.railsprojects/src/org/netbeans/modules/ruby/railsprojects/RailsActionProvider.java	Tue Apr 06 15:18:12 2010 +0200
+++ a/ruby.railsprojects/src/org/netbeans/modules/ruby/railsprojects/RailsActionProvider.java	Tue Apr 06 16:36:17 2010 +0200
@@ -651,6 +651,20 @@ 
     }
     
     private void runServer(String path, final boolean serverDebug, final boolean clientDebug) {
+        final String outputWindowId = "output"; //NOI18N
+        TopComponent outputWindow = WindowManager.getDefault().findTopComponent(outputWindowId);
+        // outputWindow should not be null as the output window id is not likely to change, but
+        // checking for null anyway since we are not relying on an API.
+        if (outputWindow != null) {
+            if (!outputWindow.isOpened()) {
+                outputWindow.open();
+            }
+            outputWindow.requestActive();
+            outputWindow.toFront();
+        } else {
+            LOGGER.info("Could not find the output window using id " + outputWindowId);
+        }
+
         RailsServerManager server = project.getLookup().lookup(RailsServerManager.class);
         if (server != null) {
             server.setDebug(serverDebug);