Resource Page
Everything you need to go from a fresh computer to a funded, connected trading setup.
Interactive GEX ChartsPlatform InstallationComputer & Windows RequirementsTrading Computer RecommendationsLive Futures Account OptionsProp Trading FirmsData ServicesSteps to RegisterStart Trading in SimulationVPS ServicesTrade Copiers
Interactive GEX Charts Guide
How to Read GEX Walls
- Positive Gamma (PG) — The green wall represents the threshold where market makers buy underlying shares as the price rises, dampening overall volatility. Acts as strong overhead resistance.
- Zero Gamma (ZG) — The orange wall represents the volatility transition zone. Price behavior around ZG tends to be highly erratic and directional.
- Negative Gamma (NG) — The red wall represents the threshold where market makers sell shares as the price drops, accelerating downward momentum. Acts as support but can lead to fast washouts if broken.
- OI vs 0DTE GEX — Open Interest (OI) represents positions built over weeks/months (macro structure), while 0DTE represents options expiring today (micro-flow catalyst).
- Hover & Tracking — Hover your mouse anywhere on the chart canvas to see the real-time crosshair coordinates and track precise pricing levels on the Y-axis.
- Horizontal Zooming — Click and drag along the time scale (the X-axis at the bottom) to expand or compress the charting period.
- Vertical Scaling — Click and drag the price scale (the Y-axis on the right) to manually compress or expand the vertical price layout.
- Reset Chart View — Double-click anywhere on the chart canvas to instantly reset the time and price scales to their auto-fitting defaults.
Video walkthroughComing soon
Platform Installation Guide
NinjaTrader 8
- Download the installer from ninjatrader.com — the platform itself is free; you only pay for data/brokerage services and add-ons like the AQS Indicator Suite.
- Run the installer, then launch NinjaTrader 8 and complete the one-time account setup wizard.
- Connect a data feed / brokerage connection (Connections → Connect) — this is separate from the platform install.
- Import the AQS Indicator Suite via Tools → Import → NinjaScript Add-On, then restart NinjaTrader.
- Add indicators to a chart via the indicators icon on any chart window, then save your chart template for reuse.
- Tradovate — browser-based and desktop app, no local install required, good for lightweight or Mac/Linux setups.
- Sierra Chart — lightweight, low-latency, popular for order-flow and footprint charting.
- TradingView — browser-based charting; broker integrations available for a subset of futures brokers.
- MotiveWave — cross-platform (Windows/Mac/Linux) charting and strategy platform.
Video walkthroughComing soon
Computer & Windows Requirements
- Operating system: Windows 10/11 (64-bit) is the native environment for NinjaTrader 8. Mac users typically run Windows via Parallels/Boot Camp, or use a VPS instead.
- Processor: quad-core minimum (Intel i5 / AMD Ryzen 5); a 6-core+ i7/Ryzen 7 is recommended if you run multiple charts, tick replay, or several indicators/strategies at once.
- Memory: 8 GB minimum, 16–32 GB recommended for multi-chart layouts and historical tick-data replay.
- Storage: an SSD is effectively required — NVMe preferred — since tick-by-tick historical data and database read/writes are I/O heavy.
- Display: dual or triple monitors recommended for charts, DOM/order entry, and news/market breadth side by side.
- Internet: a stable, low-latency wired Ethernet connection is strongly preferred over Wi-Fi for live order execution.
Video walkthroughComing soon
Trading Computer Recommendations
- Budget / getting started: any modern quad-core Windows laptop or desktop with 16 GB RAM and an SSD will run NinjaTrader 8 and the AQS suite comfortably for a single-chart setup.
- Serious daytrading desk: 6–8 core CPU, 32 GB RAM, NVMe SSD, dual/triple monitor GPU output — either self-built or from a specialty vendor (e.g. Trading Computers, Falcon Northwest).
- No local machine: a Windows VPS (see the VPS section below) removes the hardware question entirely and keeps your platform running 24/5 regardless of your local computer or internet.
- Laptops are fine for development/backtesting, but a wired connection and being plugged into power during live sessions is strongly recommended to avoid disconnects.
Video walkthroughComing soon
Live Futures (E-mini / Micro E-mini) Daytrading Account Options
- E-mini contracts (ES, NQ, YM, RTY) and Micro E-minis (MES, MNQ, MYM, M2K) trade on CME Globex — the micro contracts are 1/10th the size, making them popular for smaller accounts and testing strategies live.
- Futures-focused brokers to research: NinjaTrader Brokerage, AMP Futures, Optimus Futures, Tradovate, EdgeClear, Discount Trading, and similar CME-registered FCMs/introducing brokers.
- Day-trading (intraday) margins are typically a small fraction of full exchange (overnight) margins — confirm current day/overnight margin requirements directly with the broker, as they change with volatility.
- Compare: commission per round-turn, platform fees, data-feed bundling, and minimum funding requirements before opening an account.
Video walkthroughComing soon
Prop Trading Firms
- Futures-focused evaluation/funded-account firms to research: Topstep, Apex Trader Funding, Earn2Trade, Bulenox, MyFundedFutures, Leeloo Trading, and similar.
- The general model: pass a simulated evaluation (profit target with a max daily/overall drawdown limit), then trade a funded simulated account with a profit split once you're consistently qualified.
- Before committing, check: drawdown methodology (trailing vs. end-of-day), payout frequency and split, allowed strategies (news trading, holding overnight, EAs/algos), and platform/data compatibility (most support NinjaTrader via Rithmic).
- Funded accounts are simulated capital, not your own brokerage account — read the firm's rules carefully, as violations can void an evaluation instantly.
Video walkthroughComing soon
Types of Data Services (Rithmic, CQG, Tradovate)
- Rithmic — a widely used low-latency execution/data infrastructure; the standard connection for most futures prop firms and many introducing brokers.
- CQG — institutional-grade market data and execution, broad global exchange coverage, commonly used by more established/professional accounts.
- Tradovate — an all-in-one broker, platform, and data feed, popular for its simplicity and per-side/per-month pricing options.
- Your data feed is often bundled with your broker or prop firm account — confirm which feed a given broker/firm uses before assuming NinjaTrader or another platform will connect out of the box.
Video walkthroughComing soon
Steps to Register
- Choose a futures broker or prop firm evaluation based on your goals, budget, and platform/data preference.
- Complete the account application and identity verification (KYC) — have a government ID and basic financial information ready.
- Fund the account (for a live brokerage account) or pay the evaluation fee (for a prop firm).
- Download and install your trading platform (e.g., NinjaTrader 8) and connect the data feed provided by your broker/firm.
- Install the AQS Indicator Suite and load your preferred chart template.
- Start in simulation mode first (see below) before trading the live/funded account.
Video walkthroughComing soon
Start Trading in Simulation
- In NinjaTrader 8, connect to the built-in "Sim101" simulated account to trade with real-time market data but no real money at risk.
- Most brokers and data providers also offer their own demo/practice mode alongside a live connection.
- Use simulation to validate your workflow end-to-end: chart templates, indicator settings, order entry, and risk management — not just strategy logic.
- There's no fixed minimum, but trading a strategy in sim across multiple market conditions (trend, chop, high-volatility news days) before going live is strongly recommended.
Video walkthroughComing soon
VPS Services
- A VPS (Virtual Private Server) keeps your trading platform running 24/5 with low latency to the exchange, independent of your home internet, power, or computer uptime.
- Options include NinjaTrader's own hosted VPS add-on, and third-party trading-focused VPS providers (e.g. TradingFXVPS, VPS.net-style providers) offering Windows instances tuned for trading platforms.
- Minimum specs for a smooth single/dual-chart NinjaTrader VPS: 2–4 vCPUs, 4–8 GB RAM, SSD storage, and a data-center location close to your broker's servers (commonly Chicago/NY for CME futures).
- A VPS is especially useful for automated/algo strategies and trade copiers that need to run unattended.
Video walkthroughComing soon
Trade Copiers
- A trade copier mirrors orders from one account to one or more additional accounts — useful for running the same strategy across multiple prop firm evaluations/funded accounts, or for managed-account setups.
- NinjaTrader supports multi-account/multi-instrument order routing natively for strategies; third-party copier tools extend this across separate platform instances or brokers.
- Always confirm your broker's and prop firm's rules on copy-trading and multi-account correlation before running the same strategy across several funded accounts simultaneously.
Video walkthroughComing soon
AQS Product Guides
Guides specific to the Atlas Indicator Suite and your account.
Getting Started with the Atlas Indicator Suite
How to Activate Your License (HWID Binding)
Understanding the Adaptive Prediction Filter (AAPF)
Interactive GEX & Option Flow Charting Guide
Troubleshooting NinjaTrader 8 Installation
The information above is educational and general in nature — always confirm current pricing, margin requirements, and platform compatibility directly with the broker, prop firm, or data provider before opening or funding an account.