Getting Started
Rake Documentation Article
📋 Overview
Rake is a local-first, privacy-focused business management platform designed exclusively for Australian independent contractors, consultants, and sole traders. The application runs entirely within your web browser, utilizing an isolated local database (IndexedDB). This architecture guarantees total data sovereignty: no corporate financials, hourly logs, tax structures, or client details are ever transmitted to external servers. All processing and PDF rendering occur client-side on your device.
⚙️ Core Initialization
Upon your first launch, the browser initializes a fresh database instance. Follow these steps:
- You will be automatically routed to the Business Entity Setup panel
- Enter your ABN/ACN, upload your logo, and set your brand color
- You must establish at least one active Business Entity before any other modules can be used
💡 Backup Strategy: Because data lives strictly within your browser profile, clearing your browser cache can wipe your database. Use the Data & System Settings module to run routine .rake backups. To move between devices, export a backup or click Transfer Backup to send it via Bluetooth or email from the source machine, and import it on the target device.
🔗 System Interrelationships
The initialization state dictates global application behavior. If the Business Entity setup is empty, downstream generation engines (Invoice compiler, Dividend resolution generator, Financial Reporting suite) will fail to compile, as they dynamically reference the parent profile for ABN, bank routing details, and tax accounting configurations.