Get a clean machine running Windows (either a local PC or VPS). The machine must be powerful enough
and used for trading only. It will run 24/7 (with possible maintenance tasks in the weekend).
Do not store any private data in the trading machine. Minimize the number of third-party applications that
might cause issues or reboots (just a
good AV will do).
Here are the basic steps to get ready for G-BOT installation.
STEP 1
Make sure you have an IB portfolio margin account of suitable size, as required.
(A problem with "undercapitalized" accounts is that with relatively small funds it is nearly impossible
to run our approach. Note that the portfolio margin account alone requires 110K
funds just to be "eligible". Without a portfolio margin account our long/short approach cannot not work properly.)
Read here, for instance:
https://ibkrcampus.com/glossary-terms/portfolio-margin-account/)
Get the account ready to start with paper trading (fictitious $$$, real-time data):
- Make sure your "paper trading" account is ready, clean from any position, and has been reset to a "realistic" (for you) amount.
- Make sure that the instruments you are going to trade are subscribed
- Make sure you can receive the real-time data in the paper trading account (that is to be set in your account management)
Primarily, we will use CME (and possibly NYMEX for commodities in very large accounts): make sure you can get the real-time stream of data from those markets
("US futures bundle", "top of book" is usually good enough: no need for deeper levels or more subscriptions):
STEP 2
Install IB Gateway if not already installed:
https://www.interactivebrokers.com/en/trading/ibgateway-latest.php
This is the software gateway from Interactive Brokers (IB) to which G-BOT connects through a user-designed port (port 4002, by default) in order to
communicate (to receive tick data, send orders, receive events about fills, etc.).
Run the IB Gateway (paper trading account) by selecting:
- IB API
- SSL
- English language
and configure the IB Gateway (first time only for each account). Go to Settings making sure to:
- In the Lock and Exit section of the Settings Configuration, check "Auto restart" (make sure that the Auto Restart time falls in the market
daily maintenance period). For instance, your local time corresponding to 05:45PM ET (or 04:45PM CT).
- Uncheck "read-only" API
- Set port 4002 (if not set already)
Subscriptions problems? Check: https://ibkr.info/node/2840
Real-time tick data not arriving in paper trading? Check: https://groups.io/g/twsapi/topic/no_permission_for_mkt_data/4046917?p=
STEP 3
When set up with the IB Gateway, enable use of your Windows remote desktop (WRD) or any other free remote Desktop Software you like.
When ready, send credentials for access and I will setup G-BOT for you and show you how to start trading, providing initial guidance
and supervision when you need it, in the initial period, until you master all the essential ideas and functionalities (ticker definition,
layer management, folio management, "information transfers", rollover, etc.) and you can possibly fly alone.
Note that, obviously, the machine must be able to work H24 without disconnections (apart from Saturdays). This is crucial
because if you disconnect there is no more algorithmical protection, and anything can happen, including being liquidated by the broker.
I will keep "permanent watch" on your G-BOT instance and alert you in case of any problem. It's a H24 service (with possible
disconnections on Saturdays, to allow maintenance).
Note that the machine should be configured to allow uninstalling the old version and installing the update when necessary.
SETUP YOUR MACHINE FOR ALGORITHMIC TRADING WITH G-BOT
You will need a reliable Internet connection and the VPS or PC hosting G-BOT should be dedicated only to trading, avoiding other activities which may interfere or might potentially cause reboots.
It can be a VPS, or a good laptop (with a good battery), or a PC (equipped with a UPS, to which you can also attach the router).
Preferably, have enough RAM (at least 16GB+, because the application can store historical data for hundreds of instruments and in case of memory shortage will start swapping on HD with significant decline of performances), and reliable SSDs.
It must run Windows and the automatic shutdown of Windows updates must be disabled.
(You will do maintenance on Saturdays or Sundays before 17:00 ET, when necessary). Disable also all energy saving or "sleep", lock screen, or similar.
Note that, instead of delaying in search of optimal technological solutions, it is better to start immediately paper trading, even with a modest office/home machine, and, during the process (which can be several-month long), possibly look for better alternatives (either VPS or a good local setup)
with the following priorities:
- Internet connection reliability (redundant is better) / Disable windows automatic shutdown and updates within the trading days
- Ram memory size (at least 16GB+)
- Disk speed and reliability (reliable SSDs, absolutely)
- Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
- Network Latencies
Useful links:
TOO BUSY TO SUPERVISE YOUR FOLIO, OR NEED TO GO ON VACATION?
If you are already successfully using G-BOT, your account is at least 1M, and you have been trading for at least 1 year,
and you wish to delegate supervision for a period, I will be happy to host a free trading machine
for your exclusive use, to which you can connect from remote anytime with full control. This is a free service for our investors.