Getting Started
Initialize the Database
If no database exists yet, Helius can create it on first launch. You can also initialize it explicitly:
helius init --currency USD
Typical default path:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Helius\tracker.db
Add Basic Data
helius account add Checking --type checking --opening-balance 1000.00 --opened-on 2026-03-01
helius category add Salary --kind income
helius category add Groceries --kind expense
Account types:
cashcheckingsavingscredit
Category kinds:
incomeexpense
Record Transactions
helius tx add --type income --amount 2500.00 --date 2026-03-01 --account Checking --category Salary --payee Employer
helius tx add --type expense --amount 68.40 --date 2026-03-02 --account Checking --category Groceries --payee Supermarket
Transfer example:
helius tx add --type transfer --amount 200.00 --date 2026-03-03 --account Checking --to-account Cash --note "ATM withdrawal"
Open the TUI
helius
Check the Ledger
helius balance
helius tx list --limit 20
helius summary month 2026-03
Use the Shell
helius shell
The shell supports shortcuts such as account, income, expense, budget, reconcile, and recurring. It also accepts raw CLI commands.