LedgerSL for Linux - Installation and First Connection
Package version: 2026.10.04-1
Release date: October 4, 2026

REQUIREMENTS
Linux Mint 22.x or Ubuntu 24.04 desktop, 64-bit Intel/AMD (amd64/x86-64).
Lazarus and Free Pascal are not required. This package is not for ARM,
Windows, or macOS. SQLite uses a local database file; no database server,
server address, port, or separate database password is needed.

1. INSTALL
Download ledgersl_2026.10.04-1_amd64.deb from www.ledgersl.com.
On Linux Mint, double-click the downloaded file and use Package Installer.
Alternatively, open a terminal in the folder containing the .deb and run:

    sudo apt install ./ledgersl_2026.10.04-1_amd64.deb

APT installs any missing runtime libraries from your configured repositories.
An Internet connection is needed if dependencies must be downloaded.

2. START LEDGERSL
Open LedgerSL from the application menu, or run:

    ledgersl

Run the application as your normal desktop user, without sudo. The first
launch creates your writable application and database folders automatically.

3. CONNECT TO THE SAMPLE COMPANY THE FIRST TIME
At "LedgerSL First Start", choose "Open Demo Company".
This connects to the included SQLite database; no server setup is required.

If you need to select it manually, choose "Browse for Database..." and open:

    ~/.local/share/LedgerSL/data/LedgerSL_Demo.db

The ~ means your own home folder. In the file chooser, Ctrl+H shows hidden
folders such as .local. Open .local, share, LedgerSL, then data, and select
LedgerSL_Demo.db. Select your writable home-folder copy, not the system
package under /usr/lib/ledgersl.

If a company is already remembered, LedgerSL may open it directly. Use
Company > Change Company > Open Demo Company when you want the sample.
Follow the restart prompt after changing companies. The selected database
is remembered for later launches.

4. SET YOUR SAMPLE-COMPANY PASSWORD AND LOG IN
For a fresh installation, the sample has the administrator user name Demo.
When prompted to initialize its password, choose and confirm your own
password of at least 8 characters. The prompt may say "Application security
has been upgraded." This is expected for the new sample copy.

At Accounting Login, enter:

    User name: Demo
    Password:  the password you just chose

There is no shared default password. An update keeps the login and password
already stored in your existing database; it does not reset them.

Choose your accounting date after login. To review the complete sample year,
use December 31, 2026, and January 1 through December 31, 2026 for reports.
All sample transactions are fictional, including dates later than this
release date. Select all divisions when reviewing the whole company.

5. CREATE YOUR OWN COMPANY
Keep practice transactions in the sample database. Sign in as an
administrator and choose Company > Change Company > Create New Company.
Enter a recognizable name such as AcmeSupply.db and choose a local folder
you can write to. Follow the restart prompt. Create your administrator user
and password when the new company requests them, then sign in.

Choose Company > Company Setup Wizard to enter your company information.
At Step 4: GL Accounts, load the starter chart into the empty chart or import
your own CSV. Review and confirm the accounts, then configure posting
accounts and the remaining company settings before entering live business.
LedgerSL_Empty.db is the reusable template; do not open it directly or use
it as your working company file.

TO CONNECT AN EXISTING COMPANY
Choose Browse for Database... and select its .db file in a writable local
folder. Use that company's existing application login. Check the company
name and full database path before entering transactions. One person should
use a company database at a time; use local storage rather than a network
share or an actively synchronized cloud folder.

UPDATES AND BACKUPS
Close LedgerSL before installing an update. Install the newer .deb in the
same way. Existing databases, passwords, grid preferences, and saved company
selection are preserved. A new sample database is supplied only when the
user does not already have that file; updates do not replace existing data.
For an older ZIP installation, run "ledgersl" once from a terminal after
installing this .deb to update its managed launcher.

Before updates or important changes, use Company > Back Up Company to save
a dated copy on a separate drive or other protected location. Finish and
save transaction edits before backing up. The Source Backup tool is for
programming files, not your company database.

IF THE DATABASE DOES NOT OPEN
- Choose Browse for Database... and check the full path above.
- Use the database copy in your own home folder and ensure it is writable.
- Close another LedgerSL instance if the file is already in use.
- If the application reports an incompatible schema, use a matching LedgerSL
  version or contact support; do not rename an unrelated SQLite database.
- For a runtime/dependency check, run: ledgersl --check
- Help > Support Information shows the database/settings locations and
  diagnostic details. Review that information before sending it to support.

WHERE FILES LIVE
System package: /usr/lib/ledgersl
Your application: ~/.local/share/LedgerSL/current/TheLedger
Sample company: ~/.local/share/LedgerSL/data/LedgerSL_Demo.db
Clean template: ~/.local/share/LedgerSL/data/LedgerSL_Empty.db
Offline help: ~/.local/share/LedgerSL/current/Help/index.html
CSV examples: ~/.local/share/LedgerSL/current/Help/examples/
Personal settings: normally ~/.config/TheLedger/TheLedger.ini
Grid preferences: normally ~/.config/TheLedger/GridSize.ini
The Statistics Dashboard also uses GridSize.ini beside the executable.
Custom company databases remain in the folder where you saved them.
Installed copy of these instructions: /usr/share/doc/ledgersl/README.txt

The default GridSize.ini is included. Personal settings are created by the
application; there is no INI file to configure manually.

REMOVAL
    sudo apt remove ledgersl

Removing the package leaves user databases and settings in place. Keep
separate backups of your company data.

HELP AND SUPPORT
Installation: https://www.ledgersl.com/downloads#install
First steps: https://www.ledgersl.com/start-here
Full guide: https://www.ledgersl.com/help
Contact: https://www.ledgersl.com/#contact
