Getting Started
Install Caydem, connect it to a database, sign in, and set up your first company — step by step.
Welcome to Caydem. This guide takes you from a fresh download to a working set of books. By the end you will have Caydem installed, connected to a database, signed in, and your first company ready to record activity.
System requirements
Caydem is a desktop application that runs natively on macOS and Windows.
- Operating system: macOS 12 (Monterey) or later, or Windows 10/11 (64-bit).
- Memory: 4 GB RAM minimum, 8 GB recommended.
- Disk: 500 MB for the application, plus space for your database if you run one locally.
- Database: A running Supabase instance. See Connection Setup for all deployment options — local (Supabase CLI + Docker), self-hosted (Docker Compose or Kubernetes), or Supabase Cloud.
- Docker: Required for local development. The Supabase CLI uses Docker to run the full Supabase stack on your machine.
Caydem stores all of your accounting data in Supabase. The application is the interface; your books live in a Supabase instance you control.
Download Caydem
Download the build for your platform from your distribution channel:
- macOS — a signed
.dmg. Open it and drag Caydem into your Applications folder. - Windows — a signed
.exeinstaller. Run it and follow the prompts.
On first launch, your operating system may ask you to confirm that you trust the application — this is expected for newly installed desktop software.
First launch
When Caydem opens, it shows a brief loading screen while it initializes, then checks whether it has a database connection saved. If this is your first time running Caydem, it routes you to the Connect to Your Books screen.
Connect to a database
The connection screen presents four options matching Supabase’s deployment models. See Connection Setup for full details on each.
- Local (Supabase CLI) —
supabase starton this machine. Docker required. Caydem scans the default local address automatically. - Self-Hosted (Docker Compose) — Supabase running on your own server via Docker Compose. Paste in your server’s connection string.
- Self-Hosted (Kubernetes) — Supabase on a k8s cluster via community Helm charts. Paste in the cluster’s connection string.
- Supabase Cloud — a hosted project on Supabase.com. Paste in the connection string from your project dashboard.
For server and cloud options, click Test connection before clicking Connect & open.
Your connection string is stored locally on your machine and never sent to Pivoten.
Once connected, Caydem applies its database migrations automatically and moves on to sign-in.
Sign in
After connecting, Caydem checks for a saved session. If none exists, the sign-in screen appears. Sign in with your Mission Control account (email and password). If your account has multi-factor authentication enabled, you will be prompted for a six-digit verification code after your password.
Once signed in, your session is stored securely in your system’s application data folder and is refreshed automatically in subsequent launches.
Set up your first company
After signing in, if no company has been configured in the connected database, the setup wizard launches automatically. The wizard has five steps:
- Company — name, currency, country, entity type, tax classification, industry, and tax ID.
- Chart of Accounts — choose a starting template (Standard or Import from CSV).
- Fiscal Year — start month, first year start date, and period structure.
- Team — optionally invite colleagues and assign roles.
- Review — confirm all choices before committing.
Each step is covered in full detail in Company Setup. Take your time on the fiscal year and chart of accounts — they shape every report you will ever run for this company.
Post your first journal entry
Once your company exists, head to GL → Journals and create a new journal entry. Caydem enforces double-entry: total debits must equal total credits before an entry can be posted.
A simple opening example — recording an owner cash contribution:
| Account | Debit | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| 1010 · Operating Checking Account | 10,000.00 | |
| 3040 · Distributions and Owner Draws | 10,000.00 |
When debits and credits balance, post the entry. It immediately flows into your trial balance, balance sheet, and income statement. See Journals & Entries for the full mechanics.
Next steps
You now have a working set of books. From here:
- Tailor your Chart of Accounts to your operation.
- Learn the rhythm of the Period Close.
- When audit season arrives, set up CPA Audit Access.
Welcome aboard.