Category Rules

Automate transaction categorization with custom rules

How Rules Work

Category rules automatically categorize incoming Plaid transactions before they reach the review queue. Rules are checked in priority order (highest first). The first matching rule wins.

Creating a Rule

Go to Category Rules and click "New Rule". Configure the following fields:

• Match Field -- merchant_name, description, plaid_category, or plaid_detail
• Match Value -- the text to match against
• Action -- categorize or skip
• Target Account -- if categorize action, which account to assign
• Priority -- higher number = checked first
• Active -- toggle the rule on or off

Match Fields Explained

• merchant_name -- matches the Plaid-reported merchant (e.g., "Safeway")
• description -- matches the transaction name/description
• plaid_category -- matches the primary Plaid category (e.g., "FOOD_AND_DRINK")
• plaid_detail -- matches the detailed Plaid category (e.g., "FOOD_AND_DRINK_GROCERIES")

Rule Actions

• "categorize" -- assigns the transaction to the target account and imports it into the ledger.
• "skip" -- marks the transaction as imported without creating a journal entry. This is useful for internal transfers, balance adjustments, and other transactions you don't want recorded.

Managing Rules

The rules page shows all rules with search and filter controls. You can edit rules inline, toggle them active or inactive, or delete them. Stats at the top show the total number of rules, the categorize vs skip count, and the number of active rules.

Auto-Created Rules

When you approve a transaction in the Review Queue or recategorize entries in Reports or Transaction Audit, you're prompted to create a rule. These rules are pre-filled with the merchant or description from the transaction.