Skip to main content
Back to Documentation

FAQ

Answers to common questions about setup, markets, trading workflows, and support.

General Questions

What is OpenTrade?

OpenTrade is an open-source algorithmic trading platform designed for traders and developers who want to build, test, and deploy automated trading strategies.

Is OpenTrade free to use?

Yes! OpenTrade is open-source and free to use. You can self-host it or use our hosted version. Some advanced features may require a subscription in the future.

What markets does OpenTrade support?

OpenTrade supports:

  • Cryptocurrency markets (via exchanges like Binance, Kraken, etc.)
  • Traditional markets (stocks, forex - coming soon)
  • Custom data feeds

Getting Started

Do I need programming knowledge?

Not necessarily! OpenTrade offers:

  • Visual strategy builder for non-programmers
  • Pre-built strategy templates
  • Python/JavaScript for custom strategies

How do I connect my exchange?

  1. Generate API keys from your exchange
  2. Go to Settings > Exchange Connections
  3. Enter your API credentials
  4. Start trading!

Security Note: We recommend using read-only API keys for testing and limiting permissions for live trading.

Can I use OpenTrade on mobile?

Currently, OpenTrade is optimized for desktop browsers. A mobile app is on our roadmap.

Trading

Is my money safe?

OpenTrade doesn’t hold your funds. Your money stays in your exchange account. We only execute trades via API connections.

Can I lose money using OpenTrade?

Yes, trading involves risk. Always:

  • Start with paper trading
  • Use proper risk management
  • Never trade more than you can afford to lose

What is backtesting?

Backtesting allows you to test your strategies against historical data to see how they would have performed in the past.

Technical Questions

Can I run OpenTrade locally?

Yes! OpenTrade is fully open-source. You can:

  • Self-host on your own server
  • Run locally for development
  • Deploy to cloud providers

What technologies does OpenTrade use?

  • Frontend: Astro, Svelte, Tailwind CSS
  • Backend: ElysiaJS, Bun, Prisma
  • Charts: Pixi.js
  • Database: PostgreSQL

Can I contribute to OpenTrade?

Absolutely! We welcome contributions:

  • Code contributions on GitHub
  • Bug reports and feature requests
  • Documentation improvements
  • Strategy sharing

Support

Where can I get help?

  • Documentation: You’re here!
  • Discord: Join our community
  • GitHub Issues: Report bugs
  • Email: support@opentrade.io

How do I report a bug?

  1. Check if it’s already reported on GitHub
  2. Create a new issue with:
    • Clear description
    • Steps to reproduce
    • Expected vs actual behavior
    • Screenshots if applicable

Is there a paid support option?

Enterprise support plans are available for organizations. Contact us for details.