Start here · 4 min read
Get started with Pocket for Mac
Set your starting balance, record your first purchase and add a bill in Pocket for Mac.
Updated
Start with the money you have today
Pocket is a manual money tracker for macOS. Its menu bar balance comes from your starting amount and the entries you record. It does not read your bank account.
Choose which money you want to track, such as the balance in your everyday spending account. Record money coming into and going out of that account, and use one currency.
- Download Pocket from pocketleft.app, open the disk image and drag Pocket into Applications. Open the app.
- Enter your current amount. Choose “I'm below zero by” if you are starting with a negative balance. An empty amount starts at zero.
- Choose your currency. Pocket uses one currency at a time. Changing it later changes the label without converting the amounts.
- Choose whether Pocket should open when you log in, then click Start. Your recorded balance appears in the menu bar.
Record one purchase and check the balance
Click the menu bar balance to open Pocket, or use the entry field in Overview. Keep the minus button selected for spending, then enter the amount and describe the purchase. Choose a category from the icon to the left of the description. Press Return to save.
| Entry | Change | Recorded balance |
|---|---|---|
| Starting amount | $500.00 | $500.00 |
| Coffee | −$4.50 | $495.50 |
| Money received | +$120.00 | $615.50 |
Add one upcoming bill
Click the sliders icon to the right of the amount field. It opens the full entry form, where you can set the date, category and repeat schedule. Enter the bill's amount, description and next date. Choose Repeat for a weekly, every-two-weeks, monthly or yearly payment. Leave the number of payments empty if it has no end date.
An automatic payment counts on its date. Turn on Confirm each payment if you want to record the actual amount and date yourself. Those payments wait for confirmation in Overview.
Open Plan to see your projected balance after each scheduled payment. The chart includes only the money you have recorded or planned.
Check for missing or duplicate entries
Compare Pocket's balance with the account you used for your starting amount. If they differ, check for missing entries, duplicates and incorrect dates. Use Edit on an entry to correct it.
Save a quick-add button for purchases you make often, then add your remaining upcoming bills and income.