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[GH-ISSUE #6190] [Docs] - Creating a opinionated step-by-step guide for easier onboarding #71235

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opened 2026-05-16 10:02:11 -05:00 by GiteaMirror · 3 comments
GiteaMirror commented 2026-05-16 10:02:11 -05:00
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Originally created by @RubenOlsen on GitHub (Oct 9, 2024).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/actualbudget/actual/issues/6190

Originally assigned to: @RubenOlsen on GitHub.

Why

Many users report a steep learning curve, especially when setting up rules, schedules, or advanced features like templates.
Documentation is insufficient for onboarding, leading to user frustration, particularly for new users.

Background

One of the lessons from our user survey was that onboarding and user education need to be improved. Clearer tutorials would help new users get started with fewer frustrations, especially when navigating complex features like automation and syncing.

Definition of Done / Delivery

Create a step-by-step opinionated guide (with a lot of screenshots) to extend the Roadmap for new users and augment the Starting Fresh guide as this guide give somewhat theoretical background on use of the program.

We'll keep the starting fresh as-is - but point to the step-by-step guide and vice-versa.

It is essential that we have a lot of screenshots.

Screenshots

![DESCRIPTION](LINK.png)

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Overview

Originally created by @RubenOlsen on GitHub (Oct 9, 2024). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/actualbudget/actual/issues/6190 Originally assigned to: @RubenOlsen on GitHub. ### Why Many users report a steep learning curve, especially when setting up rules, schedules, or advanced features like templates. Documentation is insufficient for onboarding, leading to user frustration, particularly for new users. ### Background One of the lessons from our user survey was that onboarding and user education need to be improved. Clearer tutorials would help new users get started with fewer frustrations, especially when navigating complex features like automation and syncing. ### Definition of Done / Delivery Create a step-by-step **opinionated guide** (with a lot of screenshots) to extend the [Roadmap for new users](https://actualbudget.org/docs/getting-started/roadmap-for-new-users) and augment the [Starting Fresh](https://actualbudget.org/docs/getting-started/starting-fresh) guide as this guide give somewhat theoretical background on use of the program. We'll keep the starting fresh _as-is_ - but point to the step-by-step guide and vice-versa. It is essential that we have a lot of screenshots. ### Screenshots ```bash ![DESCRIPTION](LINK.png) ``` ### Category Overview
GiteaMirror added the documentation label 2026-05-16 10:02:11 -05:00
GiteaMirror commented 2026-05-16 10:02:13 -05:00
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@RubenOlsen commented on GitHub (Oct 9, 2024):

I am thinking of a multi-part series of articles (a bit like the tour) because I could easily see a guide like this becoming very long.

To begin with:

  1. Installation and setup: I suggest we point them to Pikapods as this is the lowest/simplest way to have a secure (as in preventing data loss) and give people the ability to also have their budget on the phone. But, of course - point to the other installations, including downloading the software for pure offline use. Of course, the absolute simplest way is app.actualbudget.org - but I think this may confuse new users more - and also the risk of data loss, lack of server password, etc.

  2. Setting up accounts and entering transactions. This will include learning to use Credit Cards, which are paid back in full every month.

  3. Budgeting - starting with a simple set of categories.

  4. Reports.

  5. How to pay back credit card debt (both on an active card - but also on a passive (off-budget) card).

That will give people a simple starting point - then, in the 2nd iteration, add information about Schedules, Payees, Rules and Goals.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3544401045 --> @RubenOlsen commented on GitHub (Oct 9, 2024): I am thinking of a multi-part series of articles (a bit like the tour) because I could easily see a guide like this becoming very long. To begin with: 1) Installation and setup: I suggest we point them to Pikapods as this is the lowest/simplest way to have a secure (as in preventing data loss) and give people the ability to also have their budget on the phone. But, of course - point to the other installations, including downloading the software for pure offline use. Of course, the absolute simplest way is app.actualbudget.org - but I think this may confuse new users more - and also the risk of data loss, lack of server password, etc. 2) Setting up accounts and entering transactions. This will include learning to use Credit Cards, which are paid back in full every month. 3) Budgeting - starting with a simple set of categories. 4) Reports. 5) How to pay back credit card debt (both on an active card - but also on a passive (off-budget) card). That will give people a simple starting point - then, in the 2nd iteration, add information about Schedules, Payees, Rules and Goals.
GiteaMirror commented 2026-05-16 10:02:13 -05:00
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@Triscal commented on GitHub (Dec 20, 2024):

I started using actual today and I strongly agree with this.

I was nearly ready to leave, because of the confusion.

My first bit of confusion when adding my accounts came when I added some existing credit card debt.

I added the balance and then my to budget was terrible. So I tried to find an option to clarify that I was planning on paying it off over time but couldn't find the option in the account settings, etc. Eventually I found:
https://actualbudget.com/docs/budgeting/credit-cards/carrying-debt

The current suggestion is:

The simplest way to track preexisting credit card debt in Actual is to create a Credit Card category and set it to Rollover overspending.

I then said what is "Rollover overspending" and what does it do.

So I searched for the term and made it to: https://actualbudget.com/docs/budgeting/#rollover-negative-category-balances

This doesn't explain much, it is talking about reimbursements not credit cards and because I was linked to this section of that page. I wasn't sure what "balance" it was referring to. Was it the balance of the credit card in the credit card account page, etc. Reading very thoroughly, seeing it is said column and the B was capitalized, and then scrolling up the page to realize I'm in a "budgeting" article. I then assumed it meant I would find the Balance column in the Budget screen. So I switched to that and then finally got it to work.

As I said this is my first day, so I know very little about actual, just that it is open source and budgeting app. So being walked through this would help tons.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3544401065 --> @Triscal commented on GitHub (Dec 20, 2024): I started using actual today and I strongly agree with this. I was nearly ready to leave, because of the confusion. My first bit of confusion when adding my accounts came when I added some existing credit card debt. I added the balance and then my to budget was terrible. So I tried to find an option to clarify that I was planning on paying it off over time but couldn't find the option in the account settings, etc. Eventually I found: https://actualbudget.com/docs/budgeting/credit-cards/carrying-debt The current suggestion is: > The simplest way to track preexisting credit card debt in Actual is to create a Credit Card category and set it to Rollover overspending. I then said what is "Rollover overspending" and what does it do. So I searched for the term and made it to: https://actualbudget.com/docs/budgeting/#rollover-negative-category-balances This doesn't explain much, it is talking about reimbursements not credit cards and because I was linked to this section of that page. I wasn't sure what "balance" it was referring to. Was it the balance of the credit card in the credit card account page, etc. Reading very thoroughly, seeing it is said column and the `B` was capitalized, and then scrolling up the page to realize I'm in a "budgeting" article. I then assumed it meant I would find the Balance column in the Budget screen. So I switched to that and then finally got it to work. As I said this is my first day, so I know very little about actual, just that it is open source and budgeting app. So being walked through this would help tons.
GiteaMirror commented 2026-05-16 10:02:14 -05:00
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@x-rous commented on GitHub (May 5, 2026):

@matt-fidd @youngcw

I created a quick getting started tutorial (quick enough to provide the concepts), but didn't want to push it to the original repo because it does not follow the current docs structure / style.

Reddit Post:
https://www.reddit.com/r/actualbudgeting/comments/1svg3ma/a_quick_actual_budget_tutorial_for_people_who/

Link to TutoriaL:
https://x-rous.github.io/actual-tutorial/

Github:
https://github.com/x-rous/actual-tutorial

<!-- gh-comment-id:4377577589 --> @x-rous commented on GitHub (May 5, 2026): @matt-fidd @youngcw I created a quick getting started tutorial (quick enough to provide the concepts), but didn't want to push it to the original repo because it does not follow the current docs structure / style. Reddit Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/actualbudgeting/comments/1svg3ma/a_quick_actual_budget_tutorial_for_people_who/ Link to TutoriaL: https://x-rous.github.io/actual-tutorial/ Github: https://github.com/x-rous/actual-tutorial
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