VICTOR'S EXPENSE TRACKER 1.0.1 - SETUP INSTRUCTIONS
Victor's Smart Solutions - https://vsmart.dev/expense-tracker/

This is a browser app, not a Windows or Mac installer. To start it you
need Python 3 and a terminal (Terminal on macOS and Linux, Command Prompt
on Windows). Python runs a small web server on your own computer so your
browser can open the app. Nothing is uploaded.

Before using the app, read DISCLAIMER.txt. The app asks you to accept it
before first use.


1. DOWNLOAD AND EXTRACT
   Extract the ZIP into a folder you will keep. It contains a folder named
   victors-expense-tracker-v1.0.1 with:
     app/            the application files
     README.md       overview, privacy and limitations
     SETUP.txt       this file
     DISCLAIMER.txt  the Free Software Disclaimer

2. MAKE SURE PYTHON 3 IS INSTALLED
   Check in a terminal:
     macOS / Linux:  python3 --version
     Windows:        py --version
   If it is missing, download Python 3 from https://www.python.org/downloads/
   On Windows, turn on the installer option "Add python.exe to PATH".

3. OPEN A TERMINAL IN THE EXTRACTED FOLDER
   macOS:   Open Terminal, type  cd  followed by a space, drag the
            victors-expense-tracker-v1.0.1 folder into the window and
            press Return.
   Linux:   Open a terminal and cd into victors-expense-tracker-v1.0.1.
   Windows: Open the victors-expense-tracker-v1.0.1 folder in File
            Explorer, click the address bar, type  cmd  and press Enter.

4. START THE LOCAL APP SERVER
   macOS / Linux:
     python3 -m http.server 8080 --bind 127.0.0.1 --directory app
   Windows:
     py -m http.server 8080 --bind 127.0.0.1 --directory app

5. OPEN THE APP
   In your browser go to:  http://localhost:8080

6. ACCEPT THE DISCLAIMER
   Read the disclaimer, check the box and choose "Agree and continue".
   Then choose "Add expense".

7. KEEP THE TERMINAL OPEN WHILE YOU USE THE APP
   When you are done, press Ctrl+C in the terminal to stop the server.
   Your records stay saved in the browser. Next time, repeat steps 3 to 5.


BEFORE YOU START
 - Use an up-to-date desktop browser with JavaScript and local storage
   enabled. Chrome has been tested. Safari, Firefox and Edge have not been
   tested yet.
 - Always use the same browser, browser profile, address and port
   (http://localhost:8080). A different one starts with an empty list.
 - Avoid private or incognito browsing for records you want to keep.
 - No internet connection is needed to use the app after setup.


BACKUPS AND PRIVACY
 - Records are stored only in this browser on this computer. They are NOT
   encrypted and NOT backed up automatically.
 - Use "Back up all data" regularly. The JSON backup contains every record
   and is the file you can restore.
 - "Export CSV" is for reports and spreadsheets. It contains only the
   records currently shown and cannot be restored.
 - "Restore backup" REPLACES all current records; it does not merge. Save
   a fresh backup first.
 - Backup and CSV files are not encrypted. Store and share them carefully.


TROUBLESHOOTING
 - "command not found" / "'py' is not recognized": Python 3 is not
   installed or not on PATH. Install it from python.org (step 2).
 - "Address already in use": port 8080 is busy. Stop the other program,
   or use another port such as 8081 in the command and the address
   (http://localhost:8081). Records saved under one port are not visible
   under another.
 - Blank page or "Directory listing": make sure the terminal is in the
   victors-expense-tracker-v1.0.1 folder and the command ends with
   --directory app
 - Records disappeared: check that you are using the same browser,
   profile, address and port as before, then restore your latest JSON
   backup if needed.


CUSTOMIZATION AND CONTACT
Need custom reports, approval steps or an integration? Use the contact
form at https://vsmart.dev/#contact. Please do not include expense records
or other sensitive information. The free app does not include a
commitment to support or updates.