How-To Guides
Set Up a Connection
Enter broker credentials, choose connection options, distinguish live from demo trading, and save a new trading connection.
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In-app tour: “Connection Setup Guide” — shown in the connection window itself.
The connection window is where you configure a link to your broker or prop trading firm. You’ll need the login credentials your broker provided.
Connection Name. Enter a custom name to identify this connection — something descriptive like “Apex – Account 1” or “Rithmic Live” makes it easy to recognize later. This is just a label; it doesn’t affect the connection itself.
Login credentials. Enter your username and password:
- Username: your profile identifier from your prop firm or broker.
- Password: your account password.
These credentials come from your broker or prop firm, not from ETP. If you don’t have them, contact your broker or prop firm.
Broker selection. Pick your broker from the dropdown:
- Rithmic — used by most prop firms (Apex, TopStep, and others).
- NinjaTrader 8 — direct NT8 connection.
- Tradovate — Tradovate accounts.
- cTrader — the cTrader platform.
- DXFeed — DXFeed-based providers.
The broker you choose determines which additional options appear in the window. Important: the broker cannot be changed after saving — to switch brokers you’d delete the connection and create a new one.
Is Live Connection. This checkbox indicates whether the account trades real money. Checked means live trading; unchecked means a simulation/demo account. It helps you visually distinguish live from demo connections at a glance.
Enable Spot Prices. When enabled, the software subscribes to real-time market data for P&L calculations. You get accurate unrealized P&L, at the cost of some extra data usage. Disable it if you don’t need real-time P&L display.
Auto Connect. Enable “Auto connect on start up” to have this connection establish itself automatically whenever the Trade Copier launches — useful for connections you always want active.
Saving. Click Save Connection to store your settings. After saving a new connection you’ll need to accept the Risk Disclosure and Terms & Conditions before connecting. If the connection fails, try a different server via the Edit button.