> ## 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.

# Logging Like a Pro

> Master all four input methods and natural language patterns

<Info>
  **Time:** 8 minutes | **Level:** Beginner\
  **Prerequisites:** [Create Your First Helper](/tutorials/beginner/create-your-first-helper)
</Info>

## What You'll Learn

* The four ways to add entries (text, voice, camera, link)
* Natural language patterns Peanuts understands
* The 4-tier matching system (and how to log for free)
* Editing and deleting entries

***

## The Four Input Methods

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Text" icon="keyboard">
    Type naturally in the Unified Input. Fastest for simple entries.

    **Cost:** Free (Instant Logs) or 1 credit
  </Card>

  <Card title="Voice" icon="microphone">
    Tap the mic and speak. Great for hands-busy moments.

    **Cost:** 9 credits
  </Card>

  <Card title="Camera" icon="camera">
    Take a photo of receipts, documents, meals. AI extracts the data.

    **Cost:** 5 credits
  </Card>

  <Card title="Link" icon="link">
    Paste a URL. Peanuts extracts title, image, and metadata.

    **Cost:** 1 credit
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## The 4-Tier Matching System

When you type in the Unified Input, Peanuts uses a **4-tier matching pipeline**:

| Tier | Name         | Credits | How It Works                                |
| ---- | ------------ | ------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| 1    | **Affinity** | 0 ⚡     | Matches based on your learned patterns      |
| 2    | **Local**    | 0 ⚡     | Pattern matching against Helper definitions |
| 3    | **AI**       | 1       | OpenAI analysis for ambiguous inputs        |
| 4    | **Fallback** | 0       | Goes to [Shoebox](/core-concepts/shoebox)   |

<Tip>
  **Pro tip:** The more you use Peanuts, the smarter Affinity matching becomes. Most routine entries will log for free over time!
</Tip>

***

## Text Input: Natural Language Patterns

Peanuts understands plain English. Here's what gets parsed automatically:

### Numbers and Amounts

```
coffee $4.50          → Amount: $4.50
ran 5km               → Distance: 5km
worked out 45 min     → Duration: 45 min
bought 3 books        → Quantity: 3
```

### Dates and Times

```
lunch yesterday       → Date: [yesterday's date]
meeting at 3pm        → Time: 3:00 PM
dentist next Tuesday  → Date: [next Tuesday]
gym this morning      → Time: [morning today]
```

### Categories (if your Helper has them)

```
uber to airport       → Category: Transport
pizza for dinner      → Category: Food
netflix subscription  → Category: Entertainment
```

### Combining Everything

```
lunch $15 at Chipotle yesterday paid with credit card
```

Peanuts extracts:

* Amount: \$15
* Description: lunch at Chipotle
* Date: yesterday
* Payment method: credit card
* Category: Food

***

## The Context Cloud

As you type, the **Context Cloud** appears above the input showing:

* Which Helper matches
* Which fields will be populated
* Confidence level

This gives you real-time feedback before you submit.

***

## Instant Logs vs. AI-Processed Logs

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Instant Logs (Free)">
    Simple, unambiguous entries log instantly with **zero credits**.

    **Examples that go instant:**

    * `coffee $4.50` (to an expense helper)
    * `5km run` (to a workout helper)
    * `weight 72kg` (to a health helper)

    **You'll see:** A confirmation with a ⚡ lightning icon.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="AI-Processed (1 credit)">
    Complex entries need AI to figure out where they go or extract data.

    **Examples that need AI:**

    * `spent $50 on groceries and $30 on gas` (multiple entries)
    * `just finished an amazing hike` (needs interpretation)
    * Ambiguous inputs with no clear Helper match

    **You'll see:** Brief processing, then confirmation.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Tip>
  **Want free logging?** Open the specific Helper first (tap its chip), then type. Scoped input uses Local matching, which is always free.
</Tip>

***

## Voice Input

Perfect for when you're driving, cooking, or walking.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Tap the microphone">
    In any input, tap the 🎤 icon.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Speak naturally">
    Say something like:

    > "Spent forty-five dollars on groceries at Whole Foods"
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review and confirm">
    Peanuts transcribes and shows you the parsed entry. Tap to confirm or edit.
  </Step>
</Steps>

**Voice tips:**

* Speak clearly but naturally
* Include numbers: "forty-five dollars" or "45 dollars" both work
* Pause briefly before and after amounts

<Warning>
  Voice input uses 9 credits per entry. For simple things, typing is free!
</Warning>

***

## Camera Input (Smart Scan)

Take a photo of receipts, handwritten notes, or documents.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Tap the camera icon">
    In the input, tap the 📷 icon.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Take or choose a photo">
    Capture a receipt or select from your gallery.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review extracted data">
    Peanuts shows you what it extracted:

    * Total amount
    * Merchant name
    * Date
    * Line items (if visible)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm or edit">
    Make any corrections, then save.
  </Step>
</Steps>

**Best practices for scanning:**

* Good lighting (avoid shadows)
* Flat surface (no wrinkles)
* Full receipt in frame
* Focus before shooting

***

## Link Input

Paste URLs to save articles, recipes, products, or anything with a web page.

```
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/24074/altons-good-eats-roast-turkey/
```

Peanuts extracts:

* Page title
* Description
* Main image
* Relevant metadata (ingredients for recipes, prices for products)

***

## Editing and Deleting Entries

### To Edit an Entry

1. Find the entry (in the Helper or on Home)
2. Tap to open
3. Make your changes
4. Tap **Save**

### To Delete an Entry

1. Open the entry
2. Tap the **⋮** menu (three dots)
3. Select **Delete**
4. Confirm

<Accordion title="Can I undo a delete?">
  No, deletions are permanent. Double-check before confirming!
</Accordion>

***

## Entry Reminders

You can set reminders on individual entries for follow-ups:

1. When adding an entry, tap the **Reminder row** (🔔)
2. Choose a preset (1 hour, tomorrow, 3 days, next week) or custom time
3. Get notified at that time with a link to the entry

Learn more about [Entry Reminders](/features/entry-reminders).

***

## Exercise

<Card title="Practice: Log 5 different ways" icon="dumbbell">
  Using your Expense Tracker, log entries using different methods:

  1. **Text (scoped):** Open the Helper first, then type `coffee $4.50`
  2. **Text with date:** `dinner $35 yesterday`
  3. **Text with category:** `uber $12 transport`
  4. **Voice:** Say "Spent twenty dollars on lunch at the office"
  5. **Camera:** Take a photo of any receipt you have

  Check that all entries appear correctly with the right fields filled. Notice which ones were Instant Logs ⚡ (free).
</Card>

***

## Key Takeaways

<Tip>
  **Remember:**

  * Text is fastest and often free (Instant Logs via Affinity/Local matching)
  * Scoped input (tap Helper chip first) guarantees free logging
  * Voice is great hands-free but costs 9 credits
  * Camera extracts data from receipts and documents
  * Links save web content with metadata
  * Be specific with dates, amounts, and categories for best parsing
</Tip>

***

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Understanding Widgets" href="/tutorials/beginner/understanding-widgets" icon="arrow-right">
    Learn to read and customize your data visualizations
  </Card>

  <Card title="Voice Input Deep Dive" href="/features/voice-input" icon="book">
    All voice features explained
  </Card>
</CardGroup>