hledger/doc/site/index.md

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# hledger is...

### a lightweight, dependable, cross-platform accounting program

hledger is a computer program for easily tracking money, time, or
other commodities, on unix, mac and windows. With simple yet powerful
functionality accessed from command line or web browser, it is a
reliable, flexible, future-proof alternative to Quicken or GnuCash. I
use it 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

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### 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.
</div>

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### inspired by 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.
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### 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, but does not change existing ones.)
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### ...with a web UI

hledger comes with a built-in web server providing an alternate
[browser-based interface](manual.html#web), for assisted data entry
and point and click reporting. The web and command-line clients can be
used simultaneously.
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### 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-ons) and
applications.
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### documented

Complete, accurate documentation is always a top priority.
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### 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.
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### 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.
I needed a tool like this badly, and I want to keep it growing and helping others who can also benefit.
(You can help!)
</div>

## get started

You could:
**[download](download.html)**,\
read the **[tutorial](step-by-step.html)**,
the **[manual](manual.html)**,
or the **[blog posts & articles](more-docs.html#blog-posts-articles)**,\
or ask questions on **[#hledger](http://hledger.org/irc)**
or the **[mail list](http://hledger.org/list)**.

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|---------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------
| IRC                       | [#hledger](http://hledger.org/irc) (see also [#ledger](http://webchat.freenode.net?channels=ledger&randomnick=1))
| Mail list&nbsp;&nbsp;     | [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...&nbsp;&nbsp;       | [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>
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