| name | ynab-reconcile-cleanup |
| description | Runs the weekly housekeeping pass — clears/flags uncleared transactions per account for reconciliation, and audits the budget for unused or overly-granular ("sprawl") categories worth merging or archiving. Use when the user says "let's reconcile my accounts", "clean up my budget", "find categories I don't use", "check for uncleared transactions", or "audit my budget for clutter". |
| license | MIT |
| compatibility | Requires the ynab-mcp MCP server to be connected. |
| metadata | {"author":"auzroz","version":"1.0.0","mcp-server":"ynab-mcp"} |
YNAB Reconcile & Cleanup
What this does
Runs the weekly hygiene pass YNAB recommends: check every account for
uncleared transactions (reconciling regularly keeps this list short), and
scan for unused or overly-granular categories that make budgeting harder
instead of easier — YNAB's own guidance explicitly warns against category
sprawl.
When to use this skill
- "Let's reconcile my accounts"
- "Clean up my budget"
- "Find categories I don't use"
- "Check for uncleared transactions"
- "Audit my budget for clutter"
Should NOT trigger on: spending analysis or overspending remediation —
this is purely data-integrity and structure hygiene, feeding accuracy into
every other skill.
Workflow
Step 1: Check reconciliation status per account
Call MCP tool: ynab_reconciliation_helper
Parameters: account_id (optional — omit to check all accounts)
Step 2: Find unused categories
Call MCP tool: ynab_unused_categories
Parameters: months: 6
Step 3: Scan for sprawl
Call MCP tool: ynab_category_balances
Parameters: filter: "all"
Step 4 (if confirmed): Merge or archive
Call MCP tool: ynab_update_category_group
Parameters: as needed — propose merges first, apply only after confirmation
Output format
Uncleared transactions by account: [account: count, oldest pending date]
Unused categories (no activity in 6mo): [list, current balance if any]
Sprawl candidates (similar/overlapping categories): [suggested merges]
Troubleshooting
MCP connection failed — confirm the ynab-mcp server is connected.
Unauthorized / token expired — the YNAB connection needs re-authorization.
Large number of very old uncleared transactions — flag the oldest ones
specifically rather than presenting an undifferentiated list; those are the
ones most likely to represent a forgotten or duplicate entry.
When the skill is NOT the right tool
- Spending analysis or trend questions — use
ynab-pulse-check or
ynab-monthly-review.
- Overspending remediation — use
ynab-overspending-triage.
