110 lines
4.5 KiB
Markdown
110 lines
4.5 KiB
Markdown
# hledger is...
|
|
|
|
<!-- ## hledger is... -->
|
|
|
|
### a lightweight, dependable, cross-platform accounting tool
|
|
|
|
hledger is a computer program for easily tracking money, time, or
|
|
other commodities, on unix, mac and windows. Despite (because of ?)
|
|
limited GUI features, it is usable, capable, and reliable. For some,
|
|
it is a simple, flexible, future-proof alternative to Quicken or
|
|
GnuCash.
|
|
|
|
### based on Ledger
|
|
|
|
hledger was inspired by and maintains substantial compatibility with [Ledger](faq.html#hledger-and-ledger),
|
|
and is part of the enthusiastic and supportive "*ledger" community.
|
|
|
|
### a command-line tool, that preserves your data
|
|
|
|
hledger is first a command-line tool. It follows Ledger's philosophy:
|
|
your data lives in a simple, safe, plain text file which you can edit
|
|
any way you wish; hledger reads that file and produces reports of
|
|
various kinds, without changing your data. (It can help you add new
|
|
transactions if you want, but does not change existing ones.)
|
|
|
|
### ...with a web UI
|
|
|
|
hledger comes with a built-in web server providing an alternate
|
|
[browser-based interface](manual.html#web), which offers assisted data
|
|
entry and point and click reporting. The web and command-line clients
|
|
can be used simultaneously.
|
|
|
|
### a Haskell application and library
|
|
|
|
hledger is written in Haskell, a modern and highly-regarded
|
|
programming language which contributes to hledger's robustness,
|
|
performance and long-term maintainability. Most functionality is
|
|
exposed as reusable Haskell
|
|
[libraries](http://hackage.haskell.org/package/hledger-lib), making it
|
|
easy to write your own hledger-compatible
|
|
[scripts](more-docs.html#scripting-examples), [add-ons](manual.html#add-on) and
|
|
applications.
|
|
|
|
### Free software
|
|
|
|
hledger is available under the GNU GPLv3+, which helps ensure that it
|
|
will remain free and available for as long as you need it. It has
|
|
been developed as a community project by
|
|
[Simon Michael](http://joyful.com) and
|
|
[contributors](contributors.html) since 2007.
|
|
|
|
### documented
|
|
|
|
Complete and accurate documentation is a top priority.
|
|
Undocumented functionality or stale docs are treated as serious bugs.
|
|
|
|
### comfortable for techies, usable by all
|
|
|
|
hledger aims to be useful to both computer experts and regular folks.
|
|
Currently it is a bit more suited to power users, who appreciate the
|
|
power of text files, revision control, scriptability and double entry
|
|
accounting. The web interface helps make it accessible to GUI-only
|
|
folk as well.
|
|
|
|
### focussed on serving the user
|
|
|
|
hledger strives to be accessible, practical and to provide real-world value.
|
|
I've been depending on and improving it continuously since 2007, for:
|
|
|
|
- tracking spending and income
|
|
- seeing time reports by day/week/month/project
|
|
- getting accurate numbers for client billing and tax filing
|
|
- tracking invoices
|
|
- building financial and time clarity and serenity
|
|
|
|
I needed a tool like this badly, and I want to keep it growing and helping others who can also benefit.
|
|
|
|
|
|
## how do I start ?
|
|
|
|
You could:
|
|
**[download](download.html)**,
|
|
read the **[tutorial](step-by-step.html)**,
|
|
or **[join the IRC channel](http://hledger.org/irc)**
|
|
or **[mail list](http://hledger.org/list)** and ask questions.
|
|
|
|
<!-- <style> -->
|
|
<!-- tr { -->
|
|
<!-- /*vertical-align:top;*/ -->
|
|
<!-- border-top:thin solid #bbb; -->
|
|
<!-- } -->
|
|
<!-- </style> -->
|
|
|---------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
|
| IRC | [#hledger](http://hledger.org/irc) (see also [#ledger](http://webchat.freenode.net?channels=ledger&randomnick=1))
|
|
| Mail list | [list.hledger.org](http://hledger.org/list)
|
|
| Twitter | [#ledgercli](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23ledgercli&src=typd&f=realtime), <a href="https://twitter.com/ledgertips">@LedgerTips</a>
|
|
| Github | [code.hledger.org](http://github.com/simonmichael/hledger)
|
|
| More... | [Quick links](http://hledger.org/developer-guide.html#quick-links)
|
|
|
|
<!-- | web UI demo | [demo.hledger.org](http://demo.hledger.org) | -->
|
|
<!-- [web ui demo](http://demo.hledger.org/register?q=inacct%3Aassets%3Abank%3Achecking+sym%3A\%24) -->
|
|
|
|
<div style="margin-top:2em; text-align:right; float:right;">
|
|
<!-- Has hledger saved you or your employer money, time or peace of mind ? -->
|
|
<!-- Donations: -->
|
|
**[Gittip](https://www.gittip.com/simonmichael/)**,
|
|
<a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=5J33NLXYXCYAY"><img border=0 src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/btn/x-click-but04.gif" alt="paypal"></a>
|
|
<!-- Also testimonials, examples, blogging, packaging, and patches. -->
|
|
</div>
|