> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.zerabooks.com/help/llms.txt).

# Generate categories with AI

Describe what your business does and ZeraBooks drafts a complete, numbered chart of accounts for it. You review and edit every category before anything is saved.

## Generate your chart

**Generate with AI** is one of the three ways to start your chart of accounts. It's offered while the company has no categories yet.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
### Start from the Category Manager

In the left navigation, click **Accounting** › **Category Manager**. Under **Set up your chart of accounts**, click **Generate with AI**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
### Add your banks and cards

The first step is **Add your banks & cards first**. The AI never guesses your real bank and credit-card accounts, so add every account you'll upload statements for: type its name, choose **Bank** or **Card**, and click **Add account**. Then click **Continue**. You can also add them later from **Banks & Cards**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
### Describe the business

Under **What does this business do?**, write a sentence or two about what you sell, to whom and how. For example: "Independent coffee roaster — café sales, wholesale beans, and online merch". Then click **Generate**.

![Generate your chart of accounts: describe what the business does, then Generate; you review every category before it is saved](https://www.zerabooks.com/help/shots/categories-generate-ai.png)

Drafting usually takes 10–20 seconds.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
### Review and add

Under **Review your chart of accounts**, the draft is grouped by type. Click a name to rename it, or click the minus button to remove a category. Removing a parent also removes its sub-categories. When it looks right, click **Add N categories**.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

You see "N categories added" and the categories appear in the **Category Manager**, ready for your transactions.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Tip:** The more specific the description, the better the draft. Mention each way you earn money (for example "café sales" and "wholesale") so each gets its own revenue category.
{% endhint %}

## Frequently Asked Questions

<details>
<summary>Does the AI create my bank accounts?</summary>

No. Bank and credit-card accounts are never generated. Only the real ones you add yourself are used.
</details>

<details>
<summary>Why is Generate greyed out?</summary>

The description is too short. Write at least 10 characters about what the business does.
</details>

<details>
<summary>Is anything saved before I click Add?</summary>

No. Nothing is saved until you click **Add N categories**. Closing the window discards the draft.
</details>

<details>
<summary>What if the generation fails?</summary>

Click **Try again**, or **Edit the description** to change what you wrote and generate again.
</details>

<details>
<summary>Can I generate categories when I already have some?</summary>

No. **Generate with AI** is only offered while the chart is empty. To add to an existing chart, use **New Category** or import a file. See [Import a chart of accounts](https://www.zerabooks.com/help/ledger-and-categories/import-a-chart-of-accounts).
</details>

<details>
<summary>Can I change the generated categories later?</summary>

Yes. They're ordinary categories. Rename, renumber, add or deactivate them at any time. See [Add, edit and deactivate categories](https://www.zerabooks.com/help/ledger-and-categories/add-edit-and-deactivate-categories).
</details>

---

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