ynab-reconcile-cleanup

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.