Frequently asked questions

After you buy, you’ll download RafterBooks.html from your purchase library. On Windows, open it in current Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. On a Mac, use Chrome (Safari support being tested). No install and no account. After download, you do not need the internet.

After you buy, you’ll download the Windows zip from your order. Unzip it and run RafterBooks.exe. Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit, is required. The first time, Windows may show a SmartScreen warning — see the next question.

No. The Windows program is currently unsigned (not code-signed yet), so Windows SmartScreen often shows that warning for a new publisher. Click More info, then Run anyway. If you prefer, open the browser edition (RafterBooks.html) in Chrome or Edge instead — that path does not use SmartScreen. More detail on the features page.

Use the browser edition for a simple start in Chrome or Edge on Windows, or Chrome on Mac (Safari support being tested) — remember to download backups. Use the Windows program for day-to-day books with automatic saving. Your purchase includes both. On a Mac, use the browser edition in Chrome (Safari support being tested).

Yes. Export a JSON backup from one edition, then Restore / import that file in the other. The backup format is shared.

Browser: in that browser on that computer, plus any JSON backups you download. Windows: a data file under Documents\RafterBooks by default (you can put the data folder in OneDrive or Dropbox). Warning: Clearing browser site data, switching browsers or profiles, using private/incognito mode, or losing this device can permanently erase browser-edition records unless you keep a JSON backup. Download backups from Settings and keep a copy somewhere safe.

Browser: use Download backup under Settings. Windows: changes save automatically; you can also Export Backup. Daily automatic backups are kept for 30 days on Windows.

Company default starts at 0%. Go to Settings, set Default sales tax rate (%), and save. You can override the rate on an invoice and uncheck Tax on lines that should not be taxed. RafterBooks does not file sales tax returns.

Open the invoice and choose Void. It keeps the same invoice number, shows VOID when printed, and drops out of outstanding totals. You cannot void an invoice that already has payments.

Open the invoice or estimate and use Save as PDF or Print (Save as PDF / Microsoft Print to PDF). Email invoice / Email estimate opens the print screen (choose Save as PDF), then Open email starts a draft in your own email program — you attach the PDF; RafterBooks does not send email itself.

A native Mac desktop app is not included. Use the browser edition in Chrome on a Mac (Safari support being tested).

Yes. The founding price of $59 is for the first 20 buyers. After that it’s $79. Everyone keeps what they bought, and every update is free, forever.

Yes. Every future version, including big ones like 2.0, is free for anyone who bought RafterBooks. No upgrade fees, ever.

The list price is $79. The founding price for the first 20 buyers is $59 with code FOUNDING (a $20 discount). At launch, the code will be applied automatically at checkout; if it isn’t, enter FOUNDING to save $20. The checkout summary may still show $79 with a $20 founding discount line (first 20 buyers) before the total.

Works in your browser and on Windows. On a Mac, open RafterBooks.html in Chrome (Safari support being tested).

Try it free in your browser, up to 5 invoices, no signup. There is no desktop trial — the demo is browser-only. Buy at launch; download a backup from the demo and import it into the full version to keep everything. PDFs from the demo show a RafterBooks Demo watermark. After you buy, you also have a 14-day full refund, no questions asked. Open the browser demo.

No. RafterBooks is a one-time purchase for the core offline app (browser + Windows; on a Mac use the browser edition). Founding price $59 for the first 20 buyers (list $79). All future updates are free, forever. No subscription. Every update to RafterBooks is free, forever. Optional add-ons, if we ever offer them, are sold separately and never required to use RafterBooks.

At launch, code FOUNDING will be applied automatically at checkout for the $59 founding price (first 20 buyers). If it isn’t, enter FOUNDING to save $20.

Ask within 14 days of purchase for a full refund, no questions asked — email support@rafterbooks.com.

No. Bank CSV import is for review only. The app does not send email itself, process cards, file taxes, or run payroll. You can add payment instructions (optional link + QR) for how you already take money. Worker hours are planning helpers only. Accountant CSV export is available.

Email support@rafterbooks.com. We aim to reply within 2 business days (Monday–Friday, US Eastern). Email only — no phone.

One purchase covers one business and the people who help that business on computers you own or control. Move data with JSON backups. See the License.

Yes, through your own Square, Stripe or PayPal payment link. Your customer pays on that service, which charges its normal fee, and you record the payment in RafterBooks. RafterBooks doesn’t process cards or mark invoices paid automatically.

No. RafterBooks does not send email itself. Email invoice opens the print screen, where you choose Save as PDF. Then click Open email and your own email program opens with a draft (customer address, invoice number, amount due, due date, how to pay). You attach the PDF and press Send there. In the Windows desktop app the PDF is saved for you automatically to Documents\RafterBooks\Invoices (or Estimates).