diff --git a/Bourreau/lib/bourreau_system_checks.rb b/Bourreau/lib/bourreau_system_checks.rb
index fe436120f..2769c1d55 100644
--- a/Bourreau/lib/bourreau_system_checks.rb
+++ b/Bourreau/lib/bourreau_system_checks.rb
@@ -303,8 +303,8 @@ def self.a076_ensure_task_archived_status_is_consistent #:nodoc:
 
     # CASE 5
     tasks_archived_as_file = local_tasks.archived_as_file
-    valid_tasks_ids        = tasks_archived_as_file.joins(:workdir_archive).raw_first_column("cbrain_tasks.id").compact
-    all_tasks_ids          = tasks_archived_as_file.raw_first_column("cbrain_tasks.id")
+    valid_tasks_ids        = tasks_archived_as_file.joins(:workdir_archive).pluck("cbrain_tasks.id").compact
+    all_tasks_ids          = tasks_archived_as_file.pluck("cbrain_tasks.id")
     case5_tasks            = CbrainTask.find(all_tasks_ids - valid_tasks_ids)
     case5_count            = case5_tasks.size
     puts "C> \t- Processing #{case5_count} CbrainTasks that seem to be archived but that haven't workdir_archive." if case5_count > 0
@@ -388,7 +388,7 @@ def self.a090_check_for_spurious_task_workdirs #:nodoc:
       uids2path[idstring.to_i] = path.strip.sub(/\A\.\//,"") #  12345 => "01/23/45"
     end
 
-    all_task_ids  = CbrainTask.where({}).raw_first_column(:id)
+    all_task_ids  = CbrainTask.where({}).ids
     spurious_ids  = uids2path.keys - all_task_ids
 
     if spurious_ids.empty?
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/controllers/bourreaux_controller.rb b/BrainPortal/app/controllers/bourreaux_controller.rb
index 76eb14125..0c5d8ee90 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/controllers/bourreaux_controller.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/controllers/bourreaux_controller.rb
@@ -433,8 +433,8 @@ def cache_disk_usage
     user_ids    = params[:user_ids] || nil
 
     available_users = current_user.available_users
-    user_ids        = user_ids ? available_users.where(:id => user_ids).raw_first_column(:id) :
-                                 available_users.raw_first_column(:id)
+    user_ids        = user_ids ? available_users.where(:id => user_ids).ids :
+                                 available_users.ids
 
     raise "Bad params"              if bourreau_id.blank? || user_ids.blank?
     bourreau    = Bourreau.find(bourreau_id.to_i)
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/controllers/data_providers_controller.rb b/BrainPortal/app/controllers/data_providers_controller.rb
index 91bb51c5e..dc0e6b71c 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/controllers/data_providers_controller.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/controllers/data_providers_controller.rb
@@ -248,8 +248,8 @@ def disk_usage
     user_ids        = params[:user_ids] || nil
 
     available_users = current_user.available_users
-    user_ids        = user_ids ? available_users.where(:id => user_ids).raw_first_column(:id) :
-                                 available_users.raw_first_column(:id)
+    user_ids        = user_ids ? available_users.where(:id => user_ids).ids :
+                                 available_users.ids
 
     raise "Bad params"              if dataprovider_id.blank? || user_ids.blank?
     dataprovider    = DataProvider.find(dataprovider_id.to_i)
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/controllers/neurohub_portal_controller.rb b/BrainPortal/app/controllers/neurohub_portal_controller.rb
index 61c797ded..08ea4f52a 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/controllers/neurohub_portal_controller.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/controllers/neurohub_portal_controller.rb
@@ -30,8 +30,8 @@ class NeurohubPortalController < NeurohubApplicationController
   # Main welcome/dashboard page
   def welcome #:nodoc:
     @username = current_user.login
-    bourreau_ids = Bourreau.find_all_accessible_by_user(current_user).raw_first_column("remote_resources.id")
-    user_ids     = current_user.available_users.raw_first_column(:id)
+    bourreau_ids = Bourreau.find_all_accessible_by_user(current_user).ids
+    user_ids     = current_user.available_users.ids
     @tasks       = CbrainTask.real_tasks.not_archived.where(:user_id => user_ids, :bourreau_id => bourreau_ids).order( "updated_at DESC" ).limit(5).all
     @files       = Userfile.find_all_accessible_by_user(current_user).where(:hidden => false).order( "updated_at DESC" ).limit(5).all
     @dashboard_messages = Message
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/controllers/noc_controller.rb b/BrainPortal/app/controllers/noc_controller.rb
index 930deed57..1759d51e9 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/controllers/noc_controller.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/controllers/noc_controller.rb
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ def gather_info(since_when) #:nodoc:
     @active_users  = CbrainSession.session_model
                        .where([ "updated_at > ?", since_when ])
                        .where(:active => true)
-                       .raw_first_column(:user_id)
+                       .pluck(:user_id)
                        .compact.uniq.size
     @active_tasks  = CbrainTask.active.count
     @data_transfer = SyncStatus
@@ -239,9 +239,9 @@ def gather_info(since_when) #:nodoc:
       @active_tasks  = rand(fake)
       @data_transfer = rand(fake.gigabytes)
       @cpu_time      = rand(fake * 3600)
-      @dp_space_delta_P = DataProvider.where({}).raw_first_column(:id).shuffle[0..rand(5)]
+      @dp_space_delta_P = DataProvider.ids.shuffle[0..rand(5)]
                                       .map { |dp| [ dp,   rand(fake.gigabytes) ] }.to_h
-      @dp_space_delta_M = DataProvider.where({}).raw_first_column(:id).shuffle[0..rand(5)]
+      @dp_space_delta_M = DataProvider.ids.shuffle[0..rand(5)]
                                       .map { |dp| [ dp, - rand(fake.gigabytes) ] }.to_h
     end
 
@@ -293,14 +293,14 @@ def gather_info(since_when) #:nodoc:
     # Add entries with 0 for DPs that happen to be offline, so we see still them in red.
     DataProvider.where(:online => false)
                 .where(["updated_at > ?", offline_resource_limit.ago])
-                .raw_first_column(:id)
+                .ids
                 .each do |dpid|
     #  @updated_files[dpid]    = 0 unless @updated_files[dpid].present?
       @dp_space_delta_P[dpid] = 0 unless @dp_space_delta_P[dpid].present?
     end
 
     #if fake
-    #  @updated_files = DataProvider.where({}).raw_first_column(:id).shuffle[0..rand(5)]
+    #  @updated_files = DataProvider.where({}).ids.shuffle[0..rand(5)]
     #                               .map { |dp| [ dp, rand(fake.gigabytes) ] }.to_h
     #end
 
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/controllers/portal_controller.rb b/BrainPortal/app/controllers/portal_controller.rb
index fdb65b600..6303b342a 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/controllers/portal_controller.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/controllers/portal_controller.rb
@@ -76,8 +76,8 @@ def welcome #:nodoc:
       end
     end
 
-    bourreau_ids = Bourreau.find_all_accessible_by_user(current_user).raw_first_column("remote_resources.id")
-    user_ids     = current_user.available_users.raw_first_column(:id)
+    bourreau_ids = Bourreau.find_all_accessible_by_user(current_user).pluck("remote_resources.id")
+    user_ids     = current_user.available_users.ids
     @tasks       = CbrainTask.real_tasks.not_archived.where(:user_id => user_ids, :bourreau_id => bourreau_ids).order( "updated_at DESC" ).limit(10).all
     @files       = Userfile.find_all_accessible_by_user(current_user).where(:hidden => false).order( "userfiles.updated_at DESC" ).limit(10).all
   end
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/controllers/sites_controller.rb b/BrainPortal/app/controllers/sites_controller.rb
index 26d4c73d5..fce4c4146 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/controllers/sites_controller.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/controllers/sites_controller.rb
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ def update #:nodoc:
     new_site_attr = site_params
 
     original_user_ids    = @site.user_ids
-    original_manager_ids = @site.managers.raw_first_column(&:id)
+    original_manager_ids = @site.managers.ids
     original_group_ids   = @site.group_ids
 
     commit_name = extract_params_key([ :update_users, :update_groups ])
@@ -111,9 +111,9 @@ def update #:nodoc:
     respond_to do |format|
       if @site.update_attributes_with_logging(new_site_attr, current_user)
         @site.reload
-        @site.addlog_object_list_updated("Users",    User,  original_user_ids,    @site.user_ids,                        current_user, :login)
-        @site.addlog_object_list_updated("Managers", User,  original_manager_ids, @site.managers.raw_first_column(&:id), current_user, :login)
-        @site.addlog_object_list_updated("Groups",   Group, original_group_ids,   @site.group_ids,                       current_user)
+        @site.addlog_object_list_updated("Users",    User,  original_user_ids,    @site.user_ids,     current_user, :login)
+        @site.addlog_object_list_updated("Managers", User,  original_manager_ids, @site.managers.ids, current_user, :login)
+        @site.addlog_object_list_updated("Groups",   Group, original_group_ids,   @site.group_ids,    current_user)
         flash[:notice] = 'Site was successfully updated.'
         format.html { redirect_to(@site) }
         format.xml  { head :ok }
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/controllers/tasks_controller.rb b/BrainPortal/app/controllers/tasks_controller.rb
index 6264147f2..41acca980 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/controllers/tasks_controller.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/controllers/tasks_controller.rb
@@ -520,7 +520,7 @@ def update_multiple
     task_ids   = Array(params[:tasklist]  || [])
     batch_ids  = Array(params[:batch_ids] || [])
     batch_ids << nil if batch_ids.delete('nil')
-    task_ids  += filtered_scope(CbrainTask.where(:batch_id => batch_ids)).select('cbrain_tasks.id').raw_first_column
+    task_ids  += filtered_scope(CbrainTask.where(:batch_id => batch_ids)).pluck('cbrain_tasks.id')
     task_ids   = task_ids.map(&:to_i).uniq
 
     commit_name = extract_params_key([ :update_user_id, :update_group_id, :update_results_data_provider_id, :update_tool_config_id ])
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/controllers/tool_configs_controller.rb b/BrainPortal/app/controllers/tool_configs_controller.rb
index 2a294b48f..b36540403 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/controllers/tool_configs_controller.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/controllers/tool_configs_controller.rb
@@ -339,7 +339,7 @@ def base_scope #:nodoc:
     unless current_user.has_role?(:admin_user)
       bourreau_ids = Bourreau.all.select { |b| b.can_be_accessed_by?(current_user) }.map(&:id)
       tool_ids     = Tool.all.select     { |t| t.can_be_accessed_by?(current_user) }.map(&:id)
-      group_ids    = current_user.groups.raw_first_column(:id)
+      group_ids    = current_user.groups.ids
       scope = scope.where(
         :bourreau_id => bourreau_ids,
         :tool_id     => tool_ids,
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/controllers/userfiles_controller.rb b/BrainPortal/app/controllers/userfiles_controller.rb
index fffb7b1c4..554c8e2d4 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/controllers/userfiles_controller.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/controllers/userfiles_controller.rb
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ def index #:nodoc:
     @tag_filters = @base_scope
       .joins(:tags)
       .group('tags.name')
-      .raw_rows(['tags.name', 'tags.id', 'COUNT(tags.name)'])
+      .pluck('tags.name', 'tags.id', 'COUNT(tags.name)')
       .map do |name, id, count|
         {
           :value     => id,
@@ -116,13 +116,13 @@ def index #:nodoc:
 
     # Special case; only userfile IDs are required (API request)
     if params[:ids_only] && (api_request? || jQuery_request?)
-      @userfiles = @view_scope.raw_first_column('userfiles.id')
+      @userfiles = @view_scope.pluck('userfiles.id')
 
     # Tree sort
     elsif @scope.custom[:tree_sort]
       # Sort using just IDs and parent IDs then paginate, giving the final
       # userfiles list in tuple (see +tree_sort_by_pairs+) form.
-      tuples = tree_sort_by_pairs(@view_scope.raw_rows(['userfiles.id', 'userfiles.parent_id']))
+      tuples = tree_sort_by_pairs(@view_scope.pluck('userfiles.id', 'userfiles.parent_id'))
       tuples = @scope.pagination.apply(tuples) unless api_request?
 
       # Keep just ID and depth/level; there is no need for the parent ID,
@@ -770,7 +770,7 @@ def update_multiple #:nodoc:
 
     # Pre-spawn checks; tags, project and owner
     if changes.has_key?(:tags)
-      available_tags = current_user.available_tags.raw_first_column(:id)
+      available_tags = current_user.available_tags.ids
       flash[:error] += "You do not have access to all tags you want to update.\n" unless
         (changes[:tags] - available_tags).blank?
       changes[:tags] &= available_tags
@@ -821,7 +821,7 @@ def update_multiple #:nodoc:
 
       # R/W access check
       failed["you don't have access"] = Userfile
-        .where(:id => file_ids - userfiles.raw_first_column(:id))
+        .where(:id => file_ids - userfiles.ids)
         .select([:id, :name, :type])
         .all.to_a
 
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/wipe_old_cache.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/wipe_old_cache.rb
index e357fd419..e838cee27 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/wipe_old_cache.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/background_activity/wipe_old_cache.rb
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ def paths_to_delete(paths)
     # yet we couldn't find any files on disk.
     rr_id                    = self.remote_resource_id
     supposedly_in_cache      = SyncStatus.where( :remote_resource_id => rr_id, :status => [ 'InSync', 'CacheNewer' ] )
-    supposedly_in_cache_uids = supposedly_in_cache.raw_first_column(:userfile_id)
+    supposedly_in_cache_uids = supposedly_in_cache.pluck(:userfile_id)
     not_in_cache_uids        = supposedly_in_cache_uids - uids_seen_in_cache
     supposedly_in_cache.where( :userfile_id => not_in_cache_uids ).destroy_all if not_in_cache_uids.present?
 
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/cluster_task.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/cluster_task.rb
index 43c309111..d0aa2af6e 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/cluster_task.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/cluster_task.rb
@@ -2687,7 +2687,7 @@ def submit_task_from_string(json_filename,json_string)
     # Sets tool config among tool configs accessible by user of current task
     new_tool                = new_task.tool
     accessible_tool_configs = ToolConfig.find_all_accessible_by_user(self.user).where(:tool_id => new_tool.id, :bourreau_id => self.bourreau_id)
-    new_tcid                = accessible_tool_configs.limit(1).raw_first_column(:id)[0] if new_tcid.blank?
+    new_tcid                = accessible_tool_configs.limit(1).ids[0] if new_tcid.blank?
     if new_tcid.blank? || ! accessible_tool_configs.where(:id => new_tcid).exists?
       cb_error "Cannot find an acceptable tool config ID for this user, tool, and bourreau."
     end
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/tool_config.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/tool_config.rb
index 7cbf4d82b..8d0cdf317 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/tool_config.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/tool_config.rb
@@ -97,8 +97,8 @@ def self.find_all_accessible_by_user(user) #:nodoc:
       ToolConfig.specific_versions
     else
       gids = user.group_ids
-      bids = Bourreau.find_all_accessible_by_user(user).raw_first_column("remote_resources.id")
-      tids = Tool.find_all_accessible_by_user(user).raw_first_column("tools.id")
+      bids = Bourreau.find_all_accessible_by_user(user).ids
+      tids = Tool.find_all_accessible_by_user(user).ids
       ToolConfig.specific_versions.where(:group_id => gids, :bourreau_id => bids, :tool_id => tids)
     end
   end
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/userfile.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/userfile.rb
index dc9571d7b..3ae59dfab 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/userfile.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/userfile.rb
@@ -111,18 +111,18 @@ class Userfile < ApplicationRecord
   scope :has_no_parent, ->     { where(parent_id: nil) }
 
   scope :has_no_child,     lambda { |ignored|
-                             parents_ids = Userfile.where("parent_id IS NOT NULL").raw_first_column(:parent_id).uniq
+                             parents_ids = Userfile.where("parent_id IS NOT NULL").pluck(:parent_id).uniq
                              parents_ids.blank? ? where({}) : where("userfiles.id NOT IN (?)", parents_ids)
                            }
 
   scope :parent_name_like, lambda { |n|
-                             matching_parents_ids = Userfile.where("name like ?", "%#{n.strip}%").raw_first_column(:id).uniq
+                             matching_parents_ids = Userfile.where("name like ?", "%#{n.strip}%").ids.uniq
                              where(:parent_id => matching_parents_ids)
                            }
 
   scope :child_name_like,  lambda { |n|
-                             matching_children_ids = Userfile.where("name like ?", "%#{n.strip}%").where("parent_id IS NOT NULL").raw_first_column(:id).uniq
-                             matching_parents_ids  = Userfile.where(:id => matching_children_ids).raw_first_column(:parent_id).uniq
+                             matching_children_ids = Userfile.where("name like ?", "%#{n.strip}%").where("parent_id IS NOT NULL").ids.uniq
+                             matching_parents_ids  = Userfile.where(:id => matching_children_ids).pluck(:parent_id).uniq
                              where(:id => matching_parents_ids)
                            }
 
@@ -300,8 +300,7 @@ def set_tags_for_user(user, tags)
     tags = [tags] unless tags.is_a? Array
 
     non_user_tags = self.tags
-                        .where(["tags.user_id <> ? AND tags.group_id NOT IN (?)", user.id, user.group_ids])
-                        .raw_first_column(:id)
+                        .where(["tags.user_id <> ? AND tags.group_id NOT IN (?)", user.id, user.group_ids]).ids
     new_tag_set = tags + non_user_tags
 
     self.tag_ids = new_tag_set
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/vault_local_data_provider.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/vault_local_data_provider.rb
index 396077d9e..8d9091e7b 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/vault_local_data_provider.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/vault_local_data_provider.rb
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ def impl_provider_report #:nodoc:
     issues    = []
     base_path = Pathname.new(remote_dir)
     users     = User.where({})
-    user_dirs = users.raw_rows(:login).flatten
+    user_dirs = users.pluck(:login)
 
     # Look for files outside user directories
     Dir.foreach(base_path).reject { |f| f.start_with?('.') || user_dirs.include?(f) }.each do |out|
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ def impl_provider_report #:nodoc:
     # Look for unregistered files in user directories
     users.each do |user|
       next unless File.directory?(base_path + user.login)
-      registered = self.userfiles.where(:user_id => user).raw_rows(:name).flatten
+      registered = self.userfiles.where(:user_id => user).pluck(:name)
       Dir.foreach(base_path + user.login).reject { |f| f.start_with?('.') || registered.include?(f) }.each do |unreg|
         issues << {
           :type      => :vault_unregistered,
diff --git a/BrainPortal/app/models/vault_ssh_data_provider.rb b/BrainPortal/app/models/vault_ssh_data_provider.rb
index 4f426a0f1..c98a78335 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/app/models/vault_ssh_data_provider.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/app/models/vault_ssh_data_provider.rb
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ def impl_provider_report #:nodoc:
     issues    = []
     base_path = Pathname.new(remote_dir)
     users     = User.where({})
-    user_dirs = users.raw_rows(:login).flatten
+    user_dirs = users.pluck(:login)
 
     # Look for files outside user directories
     self.remote_dir_entries(remote_dir,nil).map(&:name).reject { |f| user_dirs.include? f }.each do |out|
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ def impl_provider_report #:nodoc:
 
     users.each do |user|
       remote_files = self.remote_dir_entries((base_path + user.login).to_s,nil).map(&:name) rescue []
-      registered   = self.userfiles.where(:user_id => user).raw_rows(:id, :name)
+      registered   = self.userfiles.where(:user_id => user).pluck(:id, :name)
 
       # Make sure all registered files exist
       registered.reject { |i,n| remote_files.include? n }.each do |id,name|
diff --git a/BrainPortal/lib/cbrain_system_checks.rb b/BrainPortal/lib/cbrain_system_checks.rb
index 7cfa985a9..8fb4644bf 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/lib/cbrain_system_checks.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/lib/cbrain_system_checks.rb
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ def self.a045_ensure_syncstatus_is_clean #:nodoc:
     puts "C> Cleaning up old SyncStatus objects..."
     #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-    rr_ids = RemoteResource.where({}).raw_first_column(:id)
+    rr_ids = RemoteResource.ids
     bad_ss = SyncStatus.where([ "remote_resource_id NOT IN (?)", rr_ids ])
     ss_deleted = bad_ss.count
     if ss_deleted > 0
@@ -181,8 +181,8 @@ def self.a045_ensure_syncstatus_is_clean #:nodoc:
     else
       puts "C> \t- No SyncStatus objects are associated with obsolete resources."
     end
-    ss_uids = SyncStatus.where({}).raw_first_column(:userfile_id) || []
-    uids    = Userfile.where({}).raw_first_column(:id)            || []
+    ss_uids = SyncStatus.pluck(:userfile_id) || []
+    uids    = Userfile.ids                   || []
     bad_ids = (ss_uids - uids).uniq
     if bad_ids.size > 0
       SyncStatus.where(:userfile_id => nil).destroy_all rescue true
diff --git a/BrainPortal/spec/controllers/userfiles_controller_spec.rb b/BrainPortal/spec/controllers/userfiles_controller_spec.rb
index 45798871d..0e693d9af 100644
--- a/BrainPortal/spec/controllers/userfiles_controller_spec.rb
+++ b/BrainPortal/spec/controllers/userfiles_controller_spec.rb
@@ -507,7 +507,7 @@ class << file; attr_reader :tempfile; end
 
       it "should update tags when requested" do
         tag = create(:tag, :userfiles => [admin_userfile], :user => admin)
-        allow(admin).to receive_message_chain(:available_tags, :raw_first_column).and_return([tag.id])
+        allow(admin).to receive_message_chain(:available_tags, :ids).and_return([tag.id])
         post :update_multiple, params: {file_ids: [user_userfile.id], tags: [tag.id]}
         expect(user_userfile.tags).to match_array([tag])
       end