XRuby is a Ruby to Java compiler that compiles Ruby source code to Java bytecode. It allows Ruby code to run on the Java Virtual Machine for improved performance over interpretation. The XRuby compiler consists of a parser that converts Ruby code to an AST, and a code generator that produces Java bytecode. It provides dynamic language support structures to handle Ruby classes and methods in Java. XRuby is still in early development but allows most Ruby code to run faster on the JVM and provides tools for contributors to help advance the project.