> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.kredz.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Rules

> Earn, spend, and penalize rules are the reusable building blocks behind every credit in Kredz.

A **rule** is a reusable template for changing a child's balance. Instead of
typing the same amount over and over, you set up a rule once and apply it with a
tap whenever it happens.

## The three rule types

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Earn" icon="circle-plus">
    Adds credits. Use for the positive things — finishing homework, a completed
    chore, a kind act.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Spend" icon="circle-minus">
    Subtracts credits the child chooses to use — like trading credits for screen
    time or a treat.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Penalize" icon="triangle-exclamation">
    Subtracts credits as a consequence — a missed responsibility or a broken
    rule.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

The difference between **spend** and **penalize** is intent: spending is the
child choosing to use credits they've built up; a penalty is a deduction applied
by an adult. Both lower the balance, but keeping them separate makes the history
easier to read.

## Anatomy of a rule

Every rule has:

* **A name** — what shows up on the dashboard, e.g. "Homework done" or "30 min
  screen time."
* **A type** — earn, spend, or penalize.
* **An amount** — how many credits it's worth.

## Creating and editing rules

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open your rules">
    From the dashboard, go to your rules.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a rule">
    Name it, choose the type, and set the amount.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Reorder or edit">
    Drag rules into the order you use most, and edit a rule's amount any time.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Editing a rule changes it going forward only. Transactions you've already
  recorded keep the amount they were recorded with — your history never changes
  retroactively.
</Note>

## Tips for good rules

* **Keep amounts simple.** Round numbers are easier for kids to reason about.
* **Make rule names specific.** "Dishes" beats "Chore" when you're scanning the
  list.
* **Start small.** A handful of rules covers most days; add more as patterns
  emerge.

Next: [recording transactions](/using-kredz/transactions).