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single-user self-hosted finance app

Single-user mode for self-hosted xpenser

xpenser added an opt-in single-user self-hosted mode that skips account creation while keeping API and MCP access authenticated.

Published June 25, 2026
xpenser preferences screen with MCP and email report settings

Self-hosted users can now run xpenser as a one-person app without seeing account creation as the first step.

This release came from PR #56 and is now part of the xpenser release archive. It gives people evaluating an open-source expense tracker a clearer view of how the product has improved over time.

What changed

  • Added XPENSER_SINGLE_USER_MODE and owner email configuration.
  • Disabled public account auth paths when single-user mode is enabled.
  • Kept public API, API keys, and MCP credentials restricted to the configured user.

Why it matters

For a private install, forcing account creation can feel unnecessary. Single-user mode gives self-hosters a simpler experience without making the API unauthenticated.

Where it fits

This is a major improvement for people running xpenser as a personal self-hosted finance tracker.

For a broader product overview, start with the xpenser home page. Developers can also explore the personal finance API and MCP tools, while self-hosters can review the self-hosted personal finance tracker page.

Start hosted, then self-host when ready

Create a hosted xpenser account for the public instance, or review the MIT licensed source and run your own deployment from Docker Compose.