FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions ❓¶

Answers to the most common questions about Valt.

General 📋¶

What is Valt?¶

Valt is a free and open-source desktop app for personal financial management, developed especially for those who use Bitcoin as a unit of account. It allows you to control accounts, transactions, fixed expenses, and calculate the average acquisition price of Bitcoin.

Is Valt free?¶

Yes, Valt is 100% free and open-source. You can use all features at no cost.

Where is my data stored?¶

Your data is stored locally on your computer, in a .valt file protected by password. There is no cloud sync or data sent to external servers.

What operating system does Valt work on?¶

Valt is cross-platform and works on: - Windows 10/11 - Linux (Ubuntu, Fedora, etc.) - macOS 11+

Does Valt need internet?¶

Internet is needed to fetch Bitcoin and fiat currency quotes. However, you can use the app offline to record transactions - quotes will be fetched when there's a connection.

Installation and Setup 🔧¶

How do I install Valt?¶

Visit Releases on GitHub
Download the version for your operating system
Run the installer or extract the file
Run the executable

See the complete guide at Installation.

I forgot my password. How do I recover it?¶

Unfortunately, it's not possible to recover the password. The file is encrypted and without the password there's no access to the data. That's why you should keep your password in a safe place.

How do I backup my data?¶

Close Valt
Copy the .valt file to a safe location
Do this regularly

The file can be stored in the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox) because it's encrypted.

Can I use Valt on more than one computer?¶

Yes, but data doesn't sync automatically. You would need to: 1. Copy the .valt file to the other computer 2. Open with the same password 3. Manually manage which version is more up to date

Accounts and Transactions 💱¶

What's the difference between fiat account and Bitcoin account?¶

Fiat Account: For traditional currencies (Dollar, Euro, etc.)
Bitcoin Account: For storing balance in satoshis/BTC

Can I have multiple accounts?¶

Yes, you can create as many accounts as you need. We recommend one account for each bank, exchange, or wallet.

How do I record a Bitcoin purchase?¶

Click New Transaction
Select Fiat to Bitcoin
Fill in: source fiat account, amount paid, destination Bitcoin account, quantity received
Save

What is the Sats column that appears on the main screen?¶

It's a feature that automatically calculates how much a fiat transaction represented in satoshis on the date it occurred. This allows you to see the opportunity cost of each expense. The system also displays a dynamic column called "Current Sats Price", which shows the fiat value of that expense today (the value it represented in bitcoin vs. the current price).

My balance is wrong. What do I do?¶

Check if all transactions were recorded
Verify there are no duplicate transactions
Check the account's initial balance
Compare with the real statement from the bank/wallet
In the settings screen, advanced > Clear the account balance cache

Average Price 📊¶

What is average price?¶

It's the average acquisition cost of your bitcoins, calculated considering all purchases you've made.

Which calculation method should I use?¶

Brazilian Rule: If you declare taxes in Brazil
FIFO: If you follow tax rules from other countries or prefer this method

Does Valt's average price replace an accountant?¶

No. Valt is an assistance tool. For tax declaration, always consult an accountant.

Do I need to record transactions in two places?¶

The Average Price module is separate from normal transactions. You can record in both for complete control, or use only one of them.

Reports 📈¶

Why are my reports empty?¶

Check: 1. If there are transactions recorded in the selected period 2. If the period filter is correct 3. If transactions have categories assigned (for category report)

Can I export reports?¶

The export feature is in development.

What does "Wealth Coverage" mean?¶

It's how many months your current wealth would sustain your expenses, based on the median of monthly expenses.

Security and Privacy 🔒¶

Is my data sent to any server?¶

No. Your data stays only on your computer. The only external connections are to fetch Bitcoin and currency quotes.

Is the .valt file secure?¶

Yes, it's encrypted with your password. Without the password, it's impossible to access the data.

Can I trust the code?¶

Valt is open-source. You can audit the code on GitHub.

Common Problems 🛠️¶

The app won't open¶

Try: 1. Check if there's another Valt process running 2. Reinstall the application 3. Check execution permissions (Linux/Mac)

Quotes aren't updating¶

Check: 1. Your internet connection 2. If there's a firewall blocking the app 3. Wait a few minutes - updates are periodic

Transaction disappeared¶

Check the period filter
Check the account filter
Use search to find the transaction

Error opening database¶

Possible causes: 1. Incorrect password 2. Corrupted file 3. Incompatible version file

If the file is corrupted, restore a backup.

Support 🆘¶

Where do I report a bug?¶

Open an issue on GitHub describing: 1. What you were doing 2. What happened 3. What should have happened 4. Valt version and operating system

How do I suggest a new feature?¶

Open an issue on GitHub with the "enhancement" tag describing your suggestion.

Can I contribute to the code?¶

Yes! Valt is open-source. See the repository on GitHub for more information on how to contribute.