> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.billpal.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Install the AI bookkeeping skill > Add the free AI bookkeeping skill to Claude or ChatGPT and keep the ledger file between chats. The AI bookkeeping skill keeps double-entry books in Beancount from bank statements, invoices, and receipts. It runs in Claude or ChatGPT and needs code execution. A Billpal account is optional: when Billpal is connected, the assistant reads your invoices, receipts, and imported bank statements from Billpal. **Prerequisites:** the skill ZIP and Claude or ChatGPT in a browser. Download [ai-bookkeeping.zip](https://github.com/leebale/billpal-skills/releases/latest/download/ai-bookkeeping.zip) and keep it zipped. Install the ZIP in your Claude or ChatGPT account. A link to the skill in a chat is not enough, because the assistant cannot install a skill from a link. The labels below match the English interfaces of Claude and ChatGPT. ## Claude **1. Turn on code execution** Open **Settings > Capabilities** and turn on **Code execution and file creation**. On Team and Enterprise plans, an owner turns on **Code execution and file creation** and **Skills** under **Organization settings > Plugins & skills**, in the **Policy** tab. **2. Upload the skill** Open **Customize > Skills**, select **+**, then **Create skill**, then **Upload a skill**. Select the ZIP file. **3. Turn on the skill** The skill appears in your skills list. Turn it on if it is off. If Claude changes its menus, use Anthropic's instructions: [Use skills in Claude](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/12512180-using-skills-in-claude). ## ChatGPT **1. Open skills** In the sidebar, select **Plugins**, then open the **Skills** tab. **2. Upload the skill** Select **Create**, then **Upload from your computer**. Select the ZIP file. If ChatGPT changes its menus or the **Skills** tab is missing, use OpenAI's instructions: [Skills in ChatGPT](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/20001066-skills-in-chatgpt). ## Start the books Start a new chat, ask for your bookkeeping for a year, and add your bank statements (CAMT, CSV, MT940, OFX, QFX, or PDF). The skill first asks about your business, for example the country, the legal form, and whether you are registered for VAT. To use your invoices, receipts, and statements from Billpal, connect Billpal first. Statements already in Billpal don't need to be added to the chat again: see [Connect ChatGPT](https://help.billpal.io/en/chatgpt.md) or [Connect Claude](https://help.billpal.io/en/claude.md). ## Keep the ledger file The ledger is a Beancount file. Billpal does not store it. Where the file is kept depends on the assistant: * **An assistant that reads and writes local files**, such as Claude Cowork or Claude Code: the ledger stays in a folder on your computer. * **A chat connected to Google Drive or Dropbox:** if the connection can save files, the assistant saves every new version to a folder there. Some connections can only read files. Then keep the file as described in the next point. * **A chat without a storage connection:** files in a chat exist only for that conversation. Download the newest ledger file when you finish and upload it at the start of the next chat. Every change creates a new version of the file. The newest one has the highest number, for example `2026-v7.beancount`. At the end of a session, the assistant names the file to save. ## Links to documents in Billpal When Billpal is connected, each booking from a Billpal document stores a link to that document. The report shows it next to the booking. The link opens the document in Billpal for anyone who belongs to the workspace. If you belong to several workspaces, Billpal switches to the document's workspace first. ## Hand the books to your accountant When the books are ready, ask for the report and the newest ledger file. If your accountant works in DATEV, BMD, DVO, QuickBooks Online, or Xero, also ask for an import file. For DATEV, the assistant asks for the consultant number and client number, which your accountant has. If your accountant already imports Billpal's own DATEV, BMD, or DVO [export](https://help.billpal.io/en/exports.md), give them only one of the two files for the same period. Billpal's export contains your invoices, the skill's export your whole ledger. Imported together, costs are booked twice. On accrual books, export your **Contacts** from Billpal in the same format first: the skill uses the same account numbers. The report also shows the VAT due dates in Austria and Germany, a draft Schedule C for a US sole proprietor or single-member LLC, and what your accountant would ask about: a double charge, a price increase, an expense that may be an asset, or contractors who need a 1099-NEC. The draft is not a filing. ## Read next > [card] [Connect ChatGPT](https://help.billpal.io/en/chatgpt.md) > > Add Billpal to ChatGPT so the skill can read your documents. > [card] [Connect Claude](https://help.billpal.io/en/claude.md) > > Add Billpal to Claude so the skill can read your documents. This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.