> ## 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.

# Customizing Helpers

> Master field types, settings, and appearance to build helpers that fit your exact needs

<Info>
  **Time:** 15 minutes | **Level:** Intermediate\
  **Prerequisites:** [Create Your First Helper](/tutorials/beginner/create-your-first-helper)
</Info>

## What You'll Learn

* Navigate helper settings and the customization interface
* Choose the right field type for each piece of data
* Configure required fields, defaults, and validation
* Customize appearance with icons, colors, and themes
* Set up widgets to visualize your data

***

## Accessing Helper Settings

There are two ways to customize a helper:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="From Helper View">
    1. Open your helper
    2. Tap the **gear icon** in the top-right corner
    3. Select **Customize Helper**
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="From Home Screen">
    1. Long-press the helper card
    2. Select **Settings** from the menu
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Field Types Deep Dive

Every piece of data you track needs the right field type. Here's when to use each:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Text Field" icon="font">
    **Best for:** Names, notes, descriptions, locations

    **Options:**

    * Single line (default) - short entries
    * Multiline - longer notes, descriptions
    * Placeholder text - example input

    **Example uses:**

    * Store name in expense tracker
    * Meeting notes
    * Recipe instructions
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Number Field" icon="hashtag">
    **Best for:** Amounts, quantities, measurements

    **Options:**

    * Decimal places (0, 1, 2)
    * Prefix (e.g., "\$", "€")
    * Suffix (e.g., "kg", "miles", "hrs")
    * Min/max values

    **Example uses:**

    * Expense amount with "\$" prefix
    * Weight with "kg" suffix
    * Quantity with no decimals
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Select Field" icon="list">
    **Best for:** Categories, status, predefined options

    **Options:**

    * Single select (choose one)
    * Multi-select (choose multiple)
    * Custom option colors
    * Allow "Other" option

    **Example uses:**

    * Expense category (Food, Transport, Entertainment)
    * Mood rating (Great, Good, Okay, Bad)
    * Tags on a note
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Date & Time" icon="calendar">
    **Best for:** When something happened or will happen

    **Options:**

    * Date only
    * Date and time
    * Time only
    * Default to "now"

    **Example uses:**

    * Expense date
    * Appointment time
    * Deadline
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Checkbox" icon="square-check">
    **Best for:** Yes/no, done/not done, true/false

    **Options:**

    * Default checked or unchecked
    * Custom label

    **Example uses:**

    * "Paid?" on an expense
    * "Completed?" on a task
    * "Recurring?" on a bill
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Slider Field" icon="sliders">
    **Best for:** Scales, ratings, levels (1-10)

    **Options:**

    * Min and max values
    * Step increments
    * Label presets (Mood, Pain, Energy)
    * Show emoji feedback

    **Example uses:**

    * Mood rating (1-5 with emojis)
    * Pain level (0-10)
    * Energy level
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Image Field" icon="image">
    **Best for:** Photos, receipts, screenshots

    **Options:**

    * Camera or gallery
    * Enable Smart Scan for extraction

    **Example uses:**

    * Receipt photo
    * Progress photo
    * Document scan
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Managing Fields

### Adding a New Field

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Field Editor">
    In helper settings, tap **Fields** or scroll to the fields section.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Field">
    Tap **+ Add Field** at the bottom of the list.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Type">
    Select the field type that matches your data.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure">
    Set the field name, options, and any validation rules.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    Tap **Done** to add the field to your helper.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Reordering Fields

The order of fields affects:

* How the entry form appears
* Which field shows first in list view
* Natural language parsing priority

To reorder: **Drag the handle** (≡) on the left of each field to move it up or down.

<Tip>
  Put the most important field first—it becomes the "title" of each entry in list view.
</Tip>

### Required vs Optional Fields

* **Required fields** must be filled before saving an entry
* **Optional fields** can be left empty

Toggle the **Required** switch in field settings. Make fields required when:

* The data is essential (e.g., amount in expense tracker)
* You need consistent data for reports

<Warning>
  Don't make too many fields required—it slows down quick logging.
</Warning>

***

## Default Values

Default values pre-fill fields when creating new entries. Use them for:

| Scenario           | Default Value     |
| ------------------ | ----------------- |
| Today's date       | Current date/time |
| Common category    | Most-used option  |
| Standard quantity  | "1"               |
| Recurring location | Your usual place  |

To set a default:

1. Open field settings
2. Find **Default Value**
3. Enter the value or select an option

***

## Helper Appearance

Make your helper visually distinctive and easy to find.

### Icon & Color

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Appearance Settings">
    In helper settings, tap **Appearance** or look for the icon/color section.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose an Icon">
    Browse or search the icon library. Pick something that represents your tracker.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select a Color">
    Choose a theme color. This affects:

    * Helper card on home screen
    * Header and accent colors
    * Widget styling
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Naming Tips

* Keep names short (2-3 words max)
* Be specific: "Work Expenses" not just "Expenses"
* Use action words: "Track Sleep" or "Log Meals"

***

## Widget Configuration

Widgets display summaries of your data on the helper's main screen.

### Available Widget Types

| Widget      | Shows                   | Best For                    |
| ----------- | ----------------------- | --------------------------- |
| **Total**   | Sum of a number field   | Expenses, hours, quantities |
| **Counter** | Number of entries       | Habit streaks, daily counts |
| **Chart**   | Visual trends over time | Spending patterns, progress |
| **Recent**  | Latest entries          | Quick reference             |
| **Streak**  | Consecutive days        | Habits, consistency         |

### Adding Widgets

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Widget Settings">
    In helper settings, tap **Widgets**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Widget">
    Tap **+ Add Widget** and choose a type.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure">
    Select which field to display and set the time range (today, week, month, all time).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Arrange">
    Drag widgets to reorder them on your helper screen.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Exercise

<Card title="Practice: Enhance Your Expense Tracker" icon="dumbbell">
  Take your expense tracker from the beginner tutorial and level it up:

  1. **Add a "Payment Method" field** (Select type)
     * Options: Cash, Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPal, Other

  2. **Add a "Recurring" field** (Checkbox type)
     * Default: unchecked

  3. **Make "Amount" required** but keep other fields optional

  4. **Set a default category** to your most common expense type

  5. **Add a "Monthly Total" widget** showing sum of amounts this month

  6. **Change the icon and color** to something distinctive

  Test by adding 3 entries using different payment methods!
</Card>

***

## Key Takeaways

<Tip>
  **Remember:**

  * Choose field types based on how you'll use the data, not just what it looks like
  * Required fields ensure data quality but slow down quick logging
  * Defaults save time for repetitive entries
  * Widget order matters—put the most important summary first
</Tip>

***

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="I can't find a field type I need">
    Most data can fit into existing types with creative use of prefixes/suffixes. For complex calculations, see [Building Price Calculators](/tutorials/advanced/building-price-calculators).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My existing entries don't show the new field">
    New fields only appear on entries created after adding them. Existing entries will show the field as empty when edited.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Widgets show wrong data">
    Check the field binding in widget settings. Make sure you selected the correct field (e.g., "Amount" not "Quantity").
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Voice and Hands-Free" href="/tutorials/intermediate/voice-and-hands-free" icon="microphone">
    Log entries without touching your phone
  </Card>

  <Card title="Field Types Reference" href="/documentation/field-types" icon="book">
    Complete field configuration options
  </Card>
</CardGroup>