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Kotori guides · 1.2.3

See how it’s done.

Record an expense. Make a correction. Look back on your month. Find the steps for what you want to do in Kotori.

Open this page anytime from More → User Guide in the app. Videos use the English app interface, with English captions and steps.

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26 guides

Control Center

Record a quick entry and check your pending count.

Record without opening the app: Control Center shortcutVideo duration: 52 seconds

App 1.2.0 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

Open video file

Where to start
iPhone Control Center → Add a Control → Run Shortcut

Step by step

In Run Shortcut, choose Kotori’s Record Entry action. Next time, tap this button to enter and save a record without opening the app. Choose where entries go in More → Wallets → Shortcut wallet. Use a fixed wallet or follow the wallet selected in the app.

  1. Swipe down from the top right and open Add a Control
  2. Search for Shortcuts and add Run Shortcut
  3. Choose Kotori, then select the existing Record Entry action
  4. Next time, tap this button in Control Center
  5. Enter the description and amount, then tap Done to save without opening the app
  6. The pending count increased. Review the entry later
Check pending entries in Control CenterVideo duration: 46 seconds

App 1.2.0 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

Open video file

Where to start
iPhone Control Center

Step by step

  1. Swipe down from the top right and add a control
  2. Drag the bottom-right handle sideways to show the pending count
  3. Tap the count to open pending entries
  4. Review the entries and confirm them
  5. The Control Center count updates after confirmation

Record

From your first entry to checking its details.

Record without opening the app: Home Screen shortcutVideo duration: 42 seconds

App 1.2.0 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

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Where to start
Kotori → More → Recording → Record Entry / Siri

Step by step

Choose where entries go in More → Wallets → Shortcut wallet. Use a fixed wallet or follow the wallet selected in the app.

  1. Open Shortcuts from Record Entry / Siri
  2. Touch and hold Record Entry, then choose Add to Home Screen
  3. Confirm the addition at the top right
  4. Next time, tap Record Entry on the Home Screen
  5. Enter the description and amount, then tap Done to save without opening the app
Record without opening the app: Set up a Siri phraseVideo duration: 57 seconds

App 1.1.3 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

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Where to start
Kotori → More → Recording → Record Entry / Siri

Step by step

This recording shows creating a personal shortcut and giving it a short name for Siri. It does not demonstrate running it with Siri or microphone-based speech recognition.

  1. In Record Entry / Siri, tap the Shortcuts button.
  2. Touch and hold Record Entry with the microphone icon.
  3. Choose New Shortcut to create a personal shortcut.
  4. Tap Edit to open the action editor.
  5. Tap Entry and choose Ask Each Time.
  6. Open the name menu at the top and choose Rename.
  7. Choose a short name, such as Log my spending.
  8. Check the saved name. This video covers setting up the name.
Record an expense in a sentenceVideo duration: 41 seconds

App 1.1.3 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

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Where to start
Record

Step by step

  1. Enter a description and an amount
  2. Review the result and confirm
  3. Use an expression for the amount
  4. The saved records also appear in Transactions
Manual entry and the calculatorVideo duration: 40 seconds

App 1.1.3 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

Open video file

Where to start
Record → +

Step by step

  1. Open the plus button in Record
  2. Calculate the total in the amount field
  3. Add a description and save
  4. Check the saved record in Transactions
Review pending entriesVideo duration: 40 seconds

App 1.1.3 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

Open video file

Where to start
Record

Step by step

  1. A previous unconfirmed entry becomes pending when the next entry is sent
  2. Confirm the new entry
  3. Confirm the pending entry directly in Record
  4. Both confirmed entries are available in Transactions

Organize & edit

Keep transactions, categories, and wallets in order.

Swipe to edit, delete, and restoreVideo duration: 72 seconds

App 1.1.3 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

Open video file

Where to start
Transactions / restore from More → Recently Deleted

Step by step

  1. Swipe fully right to open the editor
  2. Reveal the action, then swipe right again to edit
  3. Swipe fully left to delete
  4. Restore the entry from Recently Deleted
Copy an entry and save a new oneVideo duration: 65 seconds

App 1.2.0 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

Open video file

Where to start
Transactions → touch and hold an entry → Copy

Step by step

Copy is also available on cards in Record and entries in Reports.

  1. Touch and hold an entry, then choose Copy
  2. The details are filled in. Edit what has changed
  3. Tap Add to save the new entry
Organize categories and subcategoriesVideo duration: 125 seconds

App 1.2.1 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

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Where to start
More → Categories

Step by step

  1. Tap Edit to add a category
  2. Open the category, then tap Edit to add a subcategory
  3. Use the pencil button to rename the category, then save
Choose category visibility and orderVideo duration: 28 seconds

App 1.2.1 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

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Where to start
More → Categories

Step by step

  1. Tap Edit to change names, visibility, and order
  2. Use the eye button to hide a category, then drag its reorder handle
  3. Save to commit the new order
Create, rename, and switch walletsVideo duration: 83 seconds

App 1.2.1 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

Open video file

Where to start
More → Wallets

Step by step

  1. Create a wallet for travel
  2. Swipe the current wallet right to rename it
  3. The selected wallet is shared by Record and Transactions
Transfer between walletsVideo duration: 88 seconds

App 1.1.3 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

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Where to start
More → Wallets → Transfer

Step by step

  1. Open Transfer and enter the amount and description
  2. The transfer creates linked entries in both wallets
  3. Editing either side updates the linked transfer
Link different names for the same merchantVideo duration: 10 seconds

App 1.1.3 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

Open video file

Where to start
More → Keyword Management

Step by step

  1. Tap Select and choose two names for the same merchant
  2. Tap Link
  3. The linked names now appear as one group

Review & plan

Reports, budgets, and recurring expenses or income.

Explore monthly and yearly reportsVideo duration: 57 seconds

App 1.2.1 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

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Where to start
Reports

Step by step

  1. Choose a reporting period
  2. Tap the chart to explore category breakdowns
  3. Switch between monthly and yearly views
  4. Expand a budget category to see its transactions
  5. Tap a transaction to open its editor
Use the card's final charge for travel expensesVideo duration: 88 seconds

App 1.2.0 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

Open video file

Where to start
Reports → Exchange Rate

Step by step

  1. Open Exchange Rate in Reports and choose a foreign-currency entry
  2. Enter the rate in either direction. The other rate and converted amount update together
  3. The next entry starts with the most recent rate for these currencies. Check it and save
  4. When the card's final charge is known, enter that amount directly
  5. Reports now uses the saved final charge and rate
  6. Choose how rates are shown in More → Exchange Rate Display
Allocate your budget and keep amounts in place

Where to start
More → Budget

Step by step

  1. In Included Wallets, include all wallets or choose the ones to budget for. Tap Total Budget and enter an amount.
  2. Tap a category amount, enter the value with the numeric keyboard, then tap the checkmark. Confirming the amount automatically locks that category.
  3. The lock icon is to the left of the category name. While locked, its slider cannot change the amount, and moving other sliders will not reduce it.
  4. You can still tap a locked amount and edit it with the numeric keyboard. To adjust it with the slider, tap the lock icon to unlock it.
  5. Choose the budget alert percentage, then tap Save. If your allocations exceed the total budget, adjust the amounts before saving.
Get an alert when daily spending reaches your limitVideo duration: 36 seconds

App 1.2.0 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

Open video file

Where to start
More → Notifications → Daily Spending Alert

Step by step

  1. Open More → Notifications → Daily Spending Alert
  2. Turn on the alert and set an amount for the day
  3. A banner appears when today's recorded spending has reached the amount
  4. Tap the banner to review today's spending across all wallets
Set a recurring expense and check its first dateVideo duration: 58 seconds

App 1.2.0 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

Open video file

Where to start
More → Recurring

Step by step

  1. Add a recurring expense, such as a monthly subscription
  2. Choose Monthly, then select the start date
  3. Check the first date the entry will be recorded, then save
  4. Review the amount and monthly schedule in the list
Add recurring expenses or income in chatVideo duration: 45 seconds

App 1.2.0 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

Open video file

Where to start
Record

Step by step

  1. In Record, send the description, amount, and repeat day
  2. When asked when to start, choose next month
  3. Check the amount, cycle, and start date, then confirm
  4. Find the saved rule in More → Recurring

Data & settings

Import, export, and everyday preferences.

Import a CSV and undo its batchVideo duration: 64 seconds

App 1.1.3 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

Open video file

Where to start
More → Import Data

Step by step

This build shows preset category names in Japanese in the import menu. The video maps Food to 食費 (Food).

  1. Choose the CSV in the system file picker
  2. Map Food to the food category (shown as 食費)
  3. Review the category mapping and confirm the import
  4. Undo the imported batch from Import History
Export a backup and CSVVideo duration: 31 seconds

App 1.1.3 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

Open video file

Where to start
More → Export Data

Step by step

This video creates the files and opens the share sheet. It stops before choosing a destination and saving a file there.

  1. Generate a complete backup
  2. Review the share sheet; this walkthrough closes it without choosing a destination
  3. Choose a date range for a CSV export
Start your budget month on paydayVideo duration: 33 seconds

App 1.2.1 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

Open video file

Where to start
More

Step by step

  1. To start each budget month on the 25th, choose 25 under Settlement Day
  2. Return to Reports to see income and expenses from the 25th through the 24th
Set up remindersVideo duration: 28 seconds

App 1.2.0 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

Open video file

Where to start
More → Notifications → Reminders

Step by step

Times and weekdays can sync with iCloud. Notification switches stay on each device, and new reminders start off. This video demonstrates the settings.

  1. Open Notifications in More, then Reminders
  2. Tap plus and choose a time
  3. Tap the weekdays to repeat on
  4. New reminders start off. Turn them on on each device that should notify
Personalize colors, the background, and your chat avatarVideo duration: 152 seconds

App 1.2.1 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

Open video file

Where to start
More → Appearance

Step by step

  1. Open Appearance from More and choose an accent color
  2. Choose Light, Dark, or the system appearance
  3. Choose Color for the background and pick a color
  4. Choose Photo for the background, then pick a picture
  5. Pinch and drag to adjust the picture's size and position
  6. Choose a color to overlay on the photo, then adjust its opacity and preview the result
  7. Choose a photo for the chat avatar too
  8. Adjust the picture using the circular preview, then save
  9. The avatar appears in chat, with the colors and background across the app
Choose what appears in chatVideo duration: 25 seconds

App 1.2.1 · English interface · Japanese and English captions

Open video file

Where to start
More → Recording

Step by step

  1. Open Recording from More
  2. Open Chat History Range and choose a range
  3. The range applies on the next launch. Your financial records are not deleted
  4. Turn on Hide Kotori’s Chatter to hide greetings and small talk

Frequently asked questions

Does hiding chat history delete my records?

No. In More → Recording → Chat History Range, choose hidden, one hour, one week, one month, one year, or all history. The change applies on the next launch. Your transactions remain available in Transactions, Reports, and exports. Hide Kotori’s Chatter hides greetings and small talk while keeping the prompts and errors needed for recording.

Can I rename a shared wallet?

The owner can rename it in More → Wallets. Participants cannot rename it. If the operation does not complete, follow the guidance shown in the app.

Do I need an account?

No. No email, no password.

Where is my data stored?

On your device. If you enable sync, it syncs across your devices through your own iCloud — never to the developer's servers.

Does it work offline?

Yes. Logging and learning happen entirely on-device.

Can I share with my family?

Yes — share a ledger with family or a partner through your own iCloud. No dedicated servers, no sign-ups.

Can I migrate from another app or CSV?

Yes — import CSV data exported from other apps.

What if a category is wrong?

Fix it once and Kotori remembers — it learns on-device.

Is it free?

Basic features are free to use.

Can I use a previous entry to add a new one?

Touch and hold an entry in Transactions and choose Copy. The amount, content, category, and other details are filled in, with today's date. Change what is different and tap Add. Copy is also available on cards in Record and entries in Reports.

Can I copy just the text I sent?

In Record, touch and hold a message you sent and choose Copy. This copies the original text without adding an entry.

Do typed entries need to use the voice input language?

No. More → Recording → Voice Input Language sets the language used to transcribe speech. It does not restrict the language of text entered with the keyboard.

Where can I change sounds and vibration?

On your iPhone, open Settings → Apps → Kotori. You can change Sound and Vibration separately.

Can I choose which wallet shortcuts record into?

Open More → Wallets → Shortcut wallet and choose a wallet or Use selected wallet. Choosing a fixed wallet does not change the wallet currently open in the app. This setting stays on each device. If the specified wallet is deleted, shortcuts return to using the selected wallet.

Which entries count toward the daily spending alert?

It includes today's expenses that have already occurred across all available wallets, including pending entries. Transfers between wallets do not count. Set an amount in More → Notifications → Daily Spending Alert to receive one alert on each day that reaches it. Watch setup through reviewing the transactions

Do budgets and reports include the same wallets?

Reports, charts, budgets, and their transaction details all use the wallets chosen in More → Budget → Included Wallets. Switching the wallet used for new entries does not change this selection. The selected scope is shown at the top of Reports. All Wallets also includes wallets created later; choosing individual wallets keeps that specific selection. Past spending remains available in transaction details when a category is hidden or deleted.

Can I change a budget amount while it is locked?

Yes. The lock only prevents changes from sliders. Tap the amount to edit it with the numeric keyboard. Confirming with the checkmark locks it automatically. To adjust it with the slider, unlock it using the icon to the left of the category name. Budget setup steps

Where can I set up budget alerts?

Open More → Notifications → Budget Alerts to choose alerts for the total budget and individual categories. Budget Alert in the budget settings starts at 80%. Choose the percentage for an early alert; setting it to 100% turns off only that early alert. It does not turn off alerts for expected or actual overspending.

Expected overspending includes future-dated expenses already recorded in Kotori. It does not predict purchases that haven't been recorded. Tap a budget banner or iPhone notification to open Reports for the relevant period.

Where do spending and budget alerts appear?

In Record, they appear as chat messages. On other screens, they appear as a banner at the top. Tap a banner or iPhone notification to open the daily details or report; chat messages do not open them. To receive notifications while the app is in the background, enable iOS Notifications for that alert and allow notifications in iPhone settings. Timed reminders to record are also under More → Notifications.

How do I change the background color, photo, and color overlay strength?

Open More → Appearance and choose Color or Photo under Background. Both options let you choose a color. For a photo, Color overlay strength controls the color overlaid on it: 0% shows the original photo, while 100% shows only the selected color. Preview changes as you adjust the slider, then save. To reset just the background, choose Default in the Background section and save. Your accent color, appearance mode, and chat avatar stay the same.

Can I use a photo as the chat avatar?

Open More → Appearance and choose a photo under Chat Avatar near the bottom. Adjust its position and size using the circular preview, then save the Appearance settings. You can restore the default avatar in the same section.

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