From Paper to Live
Published Jun 22, 2026 · Updated Jul 26, 2026
Run every strategy on paper first; commit real funds only after you understand it. This page covers what to watch on paper, when you are ready, and how to switch.
Phase 1: validate on paper
Create the strategy on a paper connection (how), with the initial balance set to your intended live size—that keeps drawdown numbers meaningful.
Observe for one to several weeks and answer:
- When does it trade? Is the frequency expected?
- Are position sizes and holding times acceptable?
- When the deepest drawdown hits, would you want to intervene?
- Do SL/TP fire as configured?
Paper uses real prices but simulated matching—no real slippage or queueing. Live fills are usually slightly worse, more so with size.
Phase 2: switch to live
Pre-flight checklist
- Paper ran stably; behavior explainable
- Max drawdown bearable with real money
- Live API key ready (read+trade, whitelist IP), test passed
- Site balance covers hourly fees
- The exchange account holds only what you can lose
The switch
Add the live connection
Under Trading accounts—see Connect an Exchange.
Recreate the strategy on it
Connections cannot be swapped in place. Create a new strategy copying the paper-validated parameters.
Small size for a week or two
Reduce position parameters; scale up only after live behavior matches paper.
Handle the paper original
Stop or delete it—or keep it as a control group.
Live strategies bill more (0.07 USDT/hour beyond slots) and stop when the site balance runs dry. Enable failure, exchange-error, and fill notifications so problems surface immediately.