> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.peanutsapp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create Your First Helper

> Build a custom tracker tailored to exactly what you need

<Info>
  **Time:** 10 minutes | **Level:** Beginner\
  **Prerequisites:** [Your First 5 Minutes](/tutorials/beginner/your-first-5-minutes)
</Info>

## What You'll Learn

* What a Helper actually is
* Three ways to create one
* How to customize fields
* Adding your first entries

***

## What is a Helper?

A **Helper** is a smart tracker that understands your data. Unlike a spreadsheet where you define rigid columns, a Helper learns what you're tracking and helps you log entries naturally.

Every Helper has:

* **Fields** — The data points you're tracking (amount, date, category, notes, etc.)
* **Widgets** — Visual summaries (totals, charts, streaks)
* **AI understanding** — It knows "gym 45 min" means a 45-minute workout

***

## Three Ways to Create a Helper

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Natural Language (Recommended)">
    The easiest way. Just describe what you want:

    1. From the Home screen, type in the Unified Input bar:
       ```
       I want to track my daily expenses
       ```
    2. Peanuts generates a Helper with suggested fields
    3. Review and tap **Create Helper**

    <Tip>
      Be specific! "Track business expenses with client name and category" gives better results than just "track expenses".
    </Tip>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="The ✨ Sparkles Button">
    More explicit approach:

    1. Tap the **✨ sparkles button** on the Home screen
    2. Describe what you want to track
    3. Peanuts generates fields and widgets
    4. Review and confirm
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="From Templates">
    Start with a pre-built structure:

    1. Tap **✨** → **Browse Templates**
    2. Pick a template (Expense Tracker, Workout Log, Recipe Collection, etc.)
    3. Customize if needed
    4. Create

    Templates are great when you're not sure what fields you need.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Let's Create an Expense Tracker

Follow along step-by-step:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start the creation">
    From Home, type in the Unified Input:

    ```
    Create an expense tracker with categories, payment method, and notes
    ```

    Press Enter.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review the generated Helper">
    Peanuts will show you a preview with:

    * **Name:** Expense Tracker
    * **Fields:** Amount, Category, Payment Method, Notes, Date
    * **Widgets:** Total spending, Category breakdown chart

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/peanuts/images/tutorials/helper-preview.png" alt="Helper Preview" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Customize a field">
    Let's tweak the **Category** field:

    1. Tap on the Category field
    2. See the default options (Food, Transport, Entertainment, etc.)
    3. Add "Subscriptions" to the list
    4. Remove any you don't need
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create the Helper">
    Tap **Create Helper**. Your new tracker is ready!
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add your first entry">
    Open your new Helper and type in its input:

    ```
    Netflix subscription $15.99
    ```

    Watch Peanuts auto-fill:

    * Amount: \$15.99
    * Category: Subscriptions
    * Description: Netflix subscription
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a few more">
    Try these:

    * `lunch $12 at the deli`
    * `uber to airport $35`
    * `coffee $4.50 paid with Apple Pay`

    Notice how payment method and category get filled in automatically.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Understanding Fields

Each field has a **type** that determines how data is stored and displayed:

| Field Type   | Best For                | Example                        |
| ------------ | ----------------------- | ------------------------------ |
| **Text**     | Descriptions, names     | "Lunch at Chipotle"            |
| **Number**   | Amounts, quantities     | 45.99                          |
| **Select**   | Categories, statuses    | Food, Transport, Entertainment |
| **Date**     | When something happened | Jan 15, 2024                   |
| **Checkbox** | Yes/no tracking         | Reimbursable? ✓                |

<Accordion title="What if I need a field Peanuts didn't suggest?">
  You can always add fields later:

  1. Open the Helper
  2. Access settings via the menu
  3. Go to **Fields**
  4. Tap **Add Field**
  5. Choose the type and configure
</Accordion>

***

## The Quick Settings Bar

Once inside a Helper, you'll see a **Quick Settings Bar** with:

| Element              | Function                         |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| **Period selector**  | Filter by Day/Week/Month/6M/Year |
| **Bell icon** 🔔     | Set up reminder notifications    |
| **Calendar icon** 📅 | Enable calendar sync             |

These icons show a small dot when active, so you can see at a glance which Helpers have reminders or sync enabled.

***

## Exercise

<Card title="Practice: Create a Workout Helper" icon="dumbbell">
  Create a Helper for tracking workouts:

  1. Use natural language: "Create a workout tracker with exercise type, duration, and how I felt"
  2. Add at least one custom option to the "Exercise Type" field (your favorite workout)
  3. Log 3 sample workouts

  **Bonus:** Ask Peanuts "What's my total workout time this week?"
</Card>

***

## Key Takeaways

<Tip>
  **Remember:**

  * Describe what you want in plain language — be specific
  * Review and customize the generated fields before creating
  * You can always add or change fields later
  * Natural language entries auto-fill the right fields
  * The Quick Settings Bar gives fast access to reminders and sync
</Tip>

***

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Logging Like a Pro" href="/tutorials/beginner/logging-like-a-pro" icon="arrow-right">
    Master all the ways to add entries quickly
  </Card>

  <Card title="Helper Templates" href="/templates/overview" icon="book">
    Explore all available templates
  </Card>
</CardGroup>