Getting Started with PostBooks

PostBooks is an open source accounting, ERP, and CRM system that shares a code base with the commercially-licensed editions of xTuple ERP. You can read more information about PostBooks features, or compare PostBooks and other xTuple editions.

How do I get PostBooks?

Most first-time users will want to download the PostBooks Installer, a complete package that includes the xTuple client, the PostgreSQL server, and a number of pre-configured databases to help you get started. By default, the installer installs the client and the database on a single computer. This is ideal for testing the software yourself, but is not necessarily optimized for a multi-user environment where other users (perhaps on other platforms) would need to connect to the server (in this case, your computer).

If you want to set up PostBooks in a multiuser environment you'll need to do a little more manual configuration. Beginning with version 3.2.2, we're distributing the xTuple client as part of the full installer package. You'll need to download the PostBooks Installer to get the client, but you'll want to choose not to install the database and other components. You'll need to download the PostgreSQL database server separately.  The community site for PostgreSQL is here; another good option is EnterpriseDB, a company offering a free packaged distribution they call Postgres Plus.

Please note: We also offer a free hosted demo of xTuple ERP Manufacturing Edition, our commercial software.  The PostBooks client you download from SourceForge has an option to either login to your local database, or (if you have an xTuple user account), to log into your hosted demo. If you're interested in the commercial software, you can read more about the demo, or go straight to the Demo Request page.

How do I install PostBooks?

Once you download the PostBooks Installer, run it on the machine where you want to install the client and server and follow all the instructions.

If you are installing the server and the client separately, please read our install.txt file, which contains detailed instructions for setting up a full multiuser PostBooks environment.

How do I use PostBooks?

First, open the client. Make sure that "Log in to server I specify" is checked. To login to the database, enter username "admin" and password "admin"

The following settings should be preconfigured in the client, but to view them, click on Options (Server: localhost, Database: demo, Port: 5432):

For new PostBooks users we offer a series of demonstration videos. To get started, download and install PostBooks using the installer package. The demo database that comes with the installer package includes sample data that you can use to test some of the features.

How do I get support for PostBooks?

We offer paid installation and support services for PostBooks as well as our commercial products. Please check these out if you want to get premium support directly from xTuple. If you're just looking for free options, we have a lot to offer there too:

  1. Use the forums to post a question to the community (search for similar issues first)
  2. Read the user docs for guidance installing and using xTuple ERP
  3. Visit the developer zone for information about upcoming features and customizing xTuple ERP
  4. Use the issue tracker to report bugs or request new features

Thank you for your interest in PostBooks, and we look forward to your thoughts!