Blog

Notes from the desk. Tested, not theorized.

Diagram of grid trading levels with a caliper measuring the spacing between two rungs on a sideways price line.

Strategies

Grid Spacing: How to Set the Gap Between Grid Levels

The single most important dial on a grid bot is the gap between its levels. Set it too tight and fees eat you alive; too wide and the bot barely trades. Here's how to size it.

17 jul 2026·3 min read

01Essentials

API Key Permissions: Never Grant Withdrawal Access

The single most important setting when you connect a broker to a trading bot is what the API key is allowed to do. Get the permission scopes right and a leaked key can't drain your account.

16 jul 2026·4 min read

02Markets

Forex Session Timing: When Automated Bots Should Trade

The forex market never sleeps on weekdays — but that doesn't mean your bot should trade every hour. Here's how session timing shapes volatility, spreads, and when an automated OANDA strategy actually has an edge.

15 jul 2026·4 min read

03Markets

Extended Hours Trading on Alpaca: What Bots Must Know

Pre-market and after-hours sessions tempt bots with early reactions to news — but liquidity is thin and spreads are wide. Here's how extended hours behave and how to trade them safely.

14 jul 2026·4 min read

04Essentials

Go-Live Checklist: Promote a Bot to Live Trading

A backtest that looks great isn't a green light. Here's a concrete checklist to work through before you let a bot trade real money — and how to size in without betting the account.

13 jul 2026·3 min read