# Output and scripting

Every command prints a table or a short summary for people. `--json` prints JSON for scripts, and every `list` can also write CSV.

## Rules scripts can rely on

- **Data goes to stdout; everything else goes to stderr.** That includes the `(using Actual credentials from …)` line, errors, and the Actual engine's own messages, so piped output stays clean.
- **Exit status** is 0 on success and 1 on any error.
- **No prompts during normal commands.** Destructive commands need `--yes` rather than asking. (`auth login` without `--password` is the one interactive command.)

## Money is in minor units

Actual stores amounts as integers in the currency's smallest unit: `-4250` means −42.50.

- **Tables** format amounts: `-42.50`, `6,735.77`.
- **`--json` and CSV** keep Actual's integers, so nothing is lost to rounding.
- **On the command line you type decimals:** `--amount -42.50`, `--amount 1250.00`.
- **Import and add files** (`--file`) use integers, like Actual's own API.

## Lists

Every `list` command takes:

| Option | |
| --- | --- |
| `--json` | JSON wrapped in an object, such as `{ "accounts": [...] }` |
| `--format table\|csv\|json` | Choose the format. `--format json` is the same as `--json` |
| `--fields a,b,c` | Choose and order the columns |
| `--output <file>` | Write to a file instead of stdout |
| `--limit <n>` | Keep the first `n` rows |

```bash
fob-actual payees list --format csv --output payees.csv
fob-actual accounts list --fields name,balance
fob-actual transactions list --account Checking --from 2026-01-01 --format csv --output 2026.csv
```

`--limit` trims after the full result is read from the local copy; there's no paging.

## JSON shapes

Lists wrap their rows in an object named after the resource:

```bash
fob-actual accounts list --json | jq '.accounts[] | {name, balance}'
fob-actual transactions list --account Checking --json | jq '.transactions | length'
```

Transactions in JSON carry IDs, not names: `payee`, `category` and `account` are IDs. The table resolves them to names for reading. Use `payees list --json` and `categories list --json` to map them, or use [Query](/docs/actual/cli/query), which can select `payee.name` and `category.name` directly.

## With jq

```bash
# Total spent per payee in September, in currency units
fob-actual query run --table transactions \
  --filter '{"date":{"$gte":"2026-09-01"}}' --filter '{"date":{"$lte":"2026-09-30"}}' \
  --filter '{"amount":{"$lt":0}}' --select payee.name,amount --json \
  | jq -r '.data | group_by(.["payee.name"]) | map({payee: .[0]["payee.name"], total: (map(.amount) | add / -100)}) | sort_by(-.total) | .[] | "\(.total)\t\(.payee)"'
```

More in [Recipes](/docs/actual/cli/recipes).