Onboarding exists to produce a useful first forecast with the least possible input. The flow focuses on three anchors: today’s balance, the next paycheck, and one important bill.
What onboarding teaches
- CalBudget plans by date.
- The current account balance is the forecast starting point.
- Income and expenses change the balance on their calendar date.
- The lowest future balance is the main signal to watch.
- A user can skip onboarding and return to the calendar.
First step: starting balance
The first step asks for:
- Account name
- What the balance represents
- Current balance
This creates the first account and gives the calendar a real starting point.
Second step: next paycheck
The second step adds expected income. The user should enter the date money should be available, not the date work was performed.
Third step: important bill
The third step adds one expense that matters. Common examples are rent, mortgage, car payment, insurance, utilities, or a credit card minimum.
Skip behavior
Users can skip onboarding. Skipping should take them to the app without pretending the setup is complete. They can return to account setup, add transactions, and use the calendar manually.
Logged-in identity
During onboarding, the top-right profile control should show who is logged in and provide a sign-out path. This prevents users from completing setup in the wrong account.
Good onboarding outcomes
| Outcome | Why it matters |
|---|
| One account exists | The forecast has an account context. |
| A real balance is saved | Running balances can be calculated. |
| At least one income item exists | The user can see balance recovery. |
| At least one bill exists | The user can see how expenses affect timing. |
| The user reaches the calendar | The product value is visible immediately. |
Keep onboarding short. CalBudget becomes clearer when users see the calendar, not when they fill out a long questionnaire.
