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Installing the App

Big Picture Money is a desktop application that runs on your computer. Your financial data stays on your machine — no cloud account is required to get started.

System requirements​

Before installing, confirm your computer meets these requirements:

  • Windows: Windows 10 or later (64-bit)
  • macOS: macOS 12 Monterey or later
  • Linux: A recent 64-bit distribution with standard desktop libraries (see the download page for tested distributions)

Download and install​

  1. Go to the Big Picture Money get started / download page.
  2. When public or invited-beta installers are available, the page shows the installer for your operating system. If you need a different OS, use the link to download for another operating system. While downloads are gated, join the waitlist and use the install link from your invitation email.
  3. Save the installer file to your computer.
  4. Run the installer:
    • Windows: Open the setup program (*-setup.exe) and follow the on-screen prompts. If Windows SmartScreen warns that the publisher is unknown (common before public code signing), choose More info, then Run anyway.
    • macOS: Open the disk image (.dmg), drag Big Picture Money to Applications, then open it from Applications.
    • Linux: Prefer the AppImage (portable across distributions). Ubuntu/Debian users can use the .deb package instead. Follow any additional notes on the download page.
  5. When installation finishes, open Big Picture Money from your applications menu (Windows Start menu, macOS Applications, or your Linux app launcher).

First launch​

  1. Open Big Picture Money.
  2. A window opens with Big Picture Money in the title bar.
  3. Complete data file setup if this is a fresh install.
  4. When prompted, activate your license for that data file (Import license file or Buy Big Picture Money when purchase is available). Without a valid license you remain on the licensing screen.
  5. The Home section appears in the main area by default. With no accounts yet, Home shows Getting started.

Expected result​

  • The Big Picture Money application window opens without errors.
  • You see the application shell: a title bar, left navigation, main content area, and (when expanded) a right panel — after the data file is unlocked and licensed.
  • The main area shows the Home section by default once you are past the license step.
  • On a new empty data file, Home shows Getting started instead of dashboard widgets.
  • Until you add an account, most finance navigation stays unavailable (see Onboarding).
  • Your data file is encrypted at rest (see Security and encryption).