hledger-add

Record new transactions, saving to the default journal file

$ hledger add

$ hledger add [[-f|--file]] [path/to/2024.journal] [[-f|--file]] [path/to/2023.journal]

$ hledger add [today] '[best buy]' [expenses:supplies] '[$20]'

$ hledger add [[-h|--help]]

$ hledger help add

hledger add [OPTIONS] [DATEFMT]

-f, --file FILE
    use a different journal file

--account-lengths=N
    truncate or pad account names to N columns in prompts (default 0)

--alias=ACCT1=ACCT2
    define account alias for matching (repeatable)

--auto
    match accounts by similar name (substring/wildcard)

--today
    start with today's date as default

-h, --help
    show general help

--version
    show version info

DATEFMT
    strptime-compatible date format string for input prompts

hledger-add is a command-line interactive tool for adding transactions to hledger plain text journals. It provides a guided, step-by-step prompt interface ideal for quick daily data entry from a terminal.

Usage begins with prompts for posting date (default today, supports period strings like '2w ago'), optional effective date, description, then one or more postings specifying payee-like description, account name(s), amounts, and optional tags/prices/balance assertions. Tab-completion suggests accounts from your journal history. Enter a blank description line to finish postings and commit, or 'x' to abort.

Supports multi-posting transactions, multiple commodities, historical prices, and complex balance checks like Assets:Checking $50 or Assets:Checking $50 @ €45. Options customize prompts, such as padding account names for alignment or using aliases/auto-matching for easier input. Integrates seamlessly with hledger's ecosystem for immediate balance checks post-entry.

Perfect for users maintaining personal or project finances in plain text, ensuring data integrity without spreadsheets. Requires a terminal supporting readline for best experience.

Interactive only; no batch/script mode. Assumes QWERTY keyboard and readline support. Balance assertions must be exact or transaction fails.

1. Posting date
2. Effective date (optional)
3. Description
4. Account & amount (repeat until blank)
5. Commit (Enter) or abort ('x')

Use Tab for account completion. Blank account=previous. Add tags with ; or |. Check balances with hledger bal after.

Developed by Simon Michael as part of hledger (initial release 2008), inspired by Ledger's add command. Evolved with hledger versions, adding features like auto-completion (v0.20+), balance assertions (v1.0+), and alias support.

hledger(1), hledger-balance(1), hledger-print(1)