# Actual Budget — Local-First Personal Finance App

> Actual is an open-source personal finance app with envelope budgeting, bank sync, multi-device sync, and local-first architecture — a YNAB alternative.

## Install

Save the content below to `.claude/skills/` or append to your `CLAUDE.md`:

## Quick Use

```bash
docker run -d --name actual 
  -p 5006:5006 
  -v actual-data:/data 
  actualbudget/actual-server:latest
```

Open `http://localhost:5006` — create your budget and start tracking expenses.

## Intro

**Actual** is a local-first personal finance app built for privacy-conscious budgeters. Using an envelope budgeting method (similar to YNAB), it helps you track every dollar, plan ahead, and stay on top of your finances — all while keeping your data encrypted and under your control.

With 25.9K+ GitHub stars and MIT license, Actual is the most popular open-source budgeting app, valued for its fast performance, beautiful UI, and local-first sync architecture that works offline.

## What Actual Does

Actual provides a comprehensive budgeting experience:

- **Envelope Budgeting**: Allocate every dollar to a category, carry forward or roll over between months
- **Transaction Management**: Manual entry or import from bank (QIF, OFX, CSV) with smart categorization
- **Bank Sync**: Optional automated bank connection via GoCardless/SimpleFIN for transaction import
- **Multi-device Sync**: Encrypted sync between devices via self-hosted server
- **Reports**: Spending by category, net worth tracking, cash flow analysis
- **Rules**: Auto-categorize transactions based on payee, amount, or notes
- **Split Transactions**: Split a single transaction across multiple categories
- **Scheduled Transactions**: Recurring bills and income with reminders

## Architecture

```
┌──────────────┐     ┌──────────────┐
│  Browser     │────▶│  Actual      │
│  (React PWA) │     │  Server      │
│  Local SQLite│     │  (Node.js)   │
└──────────────┘     │  Sync Engine │
                     └──────────────┘
```

Key design: Data lives in a local SQLite database in your browser (IndexedDB). The server is only needed for multi-device sync. You can use Actual entirely offline.

## Self-Hosting

### Docker Compose

```yaml
services:
  actual:
    image: actualbudget/actual-server:latest
    ports:
      - "5006:5006"
    volumes:
      - actual-data:/data
    restart: unless-stopped

volumes:
  actual-data:
```

That's it — no database to configure, no dependencies. The server just handles sync.

### With Bank Sync

```yaml
services:
  actual:
    image: actualbudget/actual-server:latest
    ports:
      - "5006:5006"
    environment:
      ACTUAL_NORDIGEN_SECRET_ID: your-gocardless-id
      ACTUAL_NORDIGEN_SECRET_KEY: your-gocardless-key
      # Or SimpleFIN:
      # ACTUAL_SIMPLEFIN_TOKEN: your-simplefin-token
    volumes:
      - actual-data:/data

volumes:
  actual-data:
```

## Key Features

### Envelope Budgeting

```
Income: $5,000
├── Housing:      $1,500 (assigned)
├── Groceries:    $600   (assigned)
├── Transport:    $300   (assigned)
├── Savings:      $1,000 (assigned)
├── Entertainment: $200  (assigned)
├── Utilities:    $200   (assigned)
└── Unassigned:   $1,200 (left to budget)
```

Every dollar of income gets assigned to a category. Overspending in one category borrows from another, keeping you accountable.

### Smart Rules

Auto-categorize transactions:
```
If payee contains "Starbucks" → Category: Coffee
If payee contains "Amazon" and amount > $50 → Category: Shopping
If payee contains "Netflix" → Category: Subscriptions
```

### Reports

- **Net Worth**: Track assets vs liabilities over time
- **Spending by Category**: Monthly and yearly breakdowns with trends
- **Cash Flow**: Income vs expenses visualization
- **Custom date ranges**: Compare any time periods

### Local-First Benefits

- **Speed**: Instant UI — no waiting for server responses
- **Offline**: Works without internet connection
- **Privacy**: Data stays on your device, encrypted at rest
- **Resilience**: No server downtime affects your access

## Actual vs Alternatives

| Feature | Actual | YNAB | Mint | Monarch |
|---------|--------|------|------|---------|
| Open Source | Yes (MIT) | No | No | No |
| Self-hosted | Yes | No | No | No |
| Offline | Yes (local-first) | No | No | No |
| Bank sync | GoCardless/SimpleFIN | Plaid | Plaid | Plaid |
| Pricing | Free (self-host) | $14.99/mo | Free (discontinued) | $9.99/mo |
| Envelope budgeting | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |

## FAQ

**Q: How does Actual compare to YNAB?**
A: Actual implements YNAB's core envelope-budgeting methodology with a very similar UI and UX. Main differences: Actual is free, open source, and self-hostable; YNAB is a SaaS subscription. YNAB has richer bank connections and community tutorials; Actual is stronger on privacy and autonomy.

**Q: Does it support Chinese banks?**
A: Automatic bank sync (GoCardless/SimpleFIN) mainly covers European and U.S. banks. Chinese users can import bank statements manually (CSV format).

**Q: Is my data safe?**
A: Yes. Data is stored locally in your browser, and sync uses end-to-end encryption. Even if a self-hosted server is compromised, attackers cannot read your financial data.

## Source & Thanks

- GitHub: [actualbudget/actual](https://github.com/actualbudget/actual) — 25.9K+ ⭐ | MIT
- Website: [actualbudget.org](https://actualbudget.org)

---
Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/actual-budget-local-first-personal-finance-app-791dd19e
Author: AI Open Source