How to Use the Toolkit Extension to Customize YNAB
Unlock even more value from YNAB with this powerful browser add-on.
Why Customize YNAB?
YNAB is powerful out of the box—but like most great tools, it gets even better when you personalize it.
If you’ve ever thought, “I wish YNAB showed more info on screen” or “I’d love to see a running balance like my old bank register,” you’re not alone. That’s exactly why the YNAB Toolkit Extension exists.
The Toolkit is a free browser extension built by fans of YNAB to add features that many users (especially power users) have asked for over the years. It doesn’t change how YNAB works under the hood, but it does offer visual upgrades, workflow improvements, and helpful extras to make budgeting faster, easier, and more intuitive.
Let’s explore what it does, how to install it, and which features we at Master Budget Coaching recommend the most.
What Is the Toolkit Extension?
The Toolkit is an open-source browser extension compatible with Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Brave. It’s not made by YNAB, but it’s well-supported by the community and widely used by long-time fans.
You can find it here:
➡️ Toolkit for YNAB
Once installed, it adds a customization menu to your YNAB interface, where you can toggle dozens of features on or off. These enhancements are only visible to you (they don’t affect your actual budget or sync across devices).
This means you can use Toolkit features only on desktop, while keeping your mobile app experience unchanged.
How to Install the Toolkit Extension
You can install the Toolkit directly from your browser’s extension store. Just follow these steps:
- Open your preferred browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Brave)
- Go to your browser’s extension/add-on store
- Search for “Toolkit for YNAB”
- Click “Add” or “Install”
- Once installed, pin the extension icon for easy access
- Open YNAB in your browser, then click the Toolkit icon to configure your settings
From there, you’ll have access to dozens of optional features—ready to customize.
Our Favorite Features at Master Budget Coaching
We’ve tested dozens of Toolkit options with clients over the years. Here are our top recommendations for features that improve visibility, save time, or offer strategic insights—without adding clutter.
1. Running Balance (Enhanced View)
YNAB now includes a built-in Running Balance feature, but it’s disabled by default and must be turned on individually in each account register. The Toolkit Extension enhances this functionality by displaying running balances more consistently across all accounts and, in some cases, adding formatting options not available in the native version.
Why it’s helpful:
- See how your balance changes over time
- Spot patterns in spending or deposits
- Monitor your cash flow without opening multiple screens
2. Income vs Expense Report
Adds a new report showing total inflows and outflows side-by-side by month.
Why it’s helpful:
- Gives you a snapshot of profit/loss (especially useful for freelancers or side hustlers)
- Makes monthly reviews easier
- Offers a clearer picture than Net Worth alone
3. Display Target Balance Under Category
Shows your assigned Target amount next to the category name, so you can see how close you are without clicking.
Why it’s helpful:
- Keeps goal progress top of mind
- Encourages consistent contributions
- Eliminates unnecessary clicks
4. Days of Buffering
Estimates how many days your current money would last based on past spending.
Why it’s helpful:
- Gives a quick check on financial stability
- Motivates savings and reserve building
- Helps you stretch toward a 30-day buffer (or more)
5. Hide Zero Balance Categories
Declutters your budget view by hiding any categories with $0 assigned and no recent activity.
Why it’s helpful:
- Focuses your attention on what matters now
- Great for monthly check-ins
- Makes budgeting feel less overwhelming
6. Highlight Negative Numbers
Adds red highlights to negative balances or overspent categories—even if covered—so you don’t miss them.
Why it’s helpful:
- Improves financial awareness
- Prevents small issues from snowballing
- Keeps your spending plan realistic
Customization Without Confusion
It’s tempting to turn on everything—but too many toggles can clutter your interface and reduce clarity.
We recommend choosing 3–6 features to start, based on your budget style and needs. Revisit the Toolkit menu every month or two as your comfort with YNAB evolves.
What the Toolkit Extension Doesn’t Do
Let’s be clear: the Toolkit doesn’t modify YNAB’s actual data. It won’t:
- Change your budget on mobile
- Sync settings across devices
- Offer “official” support from YNAB
- Store your personal financial data
It’s purely a visual and workflow enhancement for your desktop browser experience. If you disable the extension, everything goes back to default instantly.
Client Example: Jason’s ADHD-Friendly Budget View
Jason, a coaching client with ADHD, found the standard YNAB view too text-heavy and overwhelming. He’d log in, get distracted, and close the tab without doing anything.
We customized his Toolkit to:
- Show running balances
- Collapse unused categories
- Highlight overspending in bold red
- Auto-focus on current month only
The result? Jason now opens YNAB every morning—and actually enjoys it.
“This version makes sense to my brain,” he told us. “I finally feel in control.”
How to Make the Toolkit Work for You
Start small. Choose 1–2 features that fix a real friction point in your current setup.
Some questions to help guide you:
- Do you wish you could see more goal progress at a glance?
- Are you constantly scrolling through unused categories?
- Would it help to see how long your money will last?
Once you try a few changes, you’ll quickly figure out what adds value—and what adds noise.
Need help choosing the best options for your style? Master Budget Coaching can guide you through a Toolkit tune-up as part of your personalized coaching.
About the Author
Trent Ladle is the founder of Master Budget Coaching and a YNAB Certified Coach with degrees in Business Management and an MBA. With nearly 40 years of budgeting experience, he helps clients build values-based spending plans—guided by the belief that when you master your spending, you master your life.
Ready to Customize YNAB for the Way You Think?
If YNAB works—but doesn’t feel intuitive—Master Budget Coaching can help. We’ll walk you through Toolkit features and category strategies that match your brain, your lifestyle, and your goals.
