🚀 Getting Started

What is PRIME and how does it work?
PRIME is an advanced algorithmic trading system that combines 775+ professional trading strategies with machine learning models. It analyzes market data in real-time, generates trading signals, and can execute trades automatically through your broker API. The system uses multiple layers of risk management to protect capital while seeking profitable opportunities.
How much capital do I need to start?
For paper trading: $0 (uses simulated money).

For live trading: Minimum $25,000 recommended to avoid Pattern Day Trading restrictions in the US. You can start with less, but will be limited to fewer trades. We strongly recommend starting with paper trading regardless of capital.
⚠️ Never trade with money you cannot afford to lose!
What brokers are supported?
Currently supported brokers:
  • Alpaca (recommended for US traders)
  • Interactive Brokers
  • TD Ameritrade
  • Binance (crypto)
  • Coinbase Pro (crypto)
More brokers are being added. Check documentation for the latest list.
Do I need programming experience?
Basic Python knowledge is helpful but not required for basic usage. You can use PRIME with configuration files and minimal code. However, to customize strategies or add your own, Python programming skills are necessary.
💡 We provide extensive examples and templates to help you get started!

📊 Trading Questions

What returns can I expect?
⚠️ NO RETURNS ARE GUARANTEED! Past performance does not predict future results.
Historical backtests show various results depending on market conditions, strategies used, and risk settings. Some strategies have shown 20-30% annual returns in backtests, but real trading often differs significantly. Many traders lose money. Only trade with risk capital.
How many trades does PRIME make per day?
This depends on your configuration:
  • Conservative: 1-5 trades per day
  • Moderate: 5-20 trades per day
  • Aggressive: 20-50+ trades per day
You can set maximum trade limits and adjust strategy parameters to control trading frequency.
Can I override or stop trades manually?
Yes! PRIME includes several safety features:
  • Emergency stop button to halt all trading
  • Manual override for any position
  • Ability to close all positions immediately
  • Trade approval mode (requires confirmation)
You always maintain full control over your account.
What happens during a market crash?
PRIME has multiple safeguards for market crashes:
  • Circuit breakers trigger at -5%, -10%, -15% drawdown
  • Automatic position reduction in high volatility
  • Stop-loss orders on all positions
  • Maximum daily loss limits
  • Correlation monitoring to prevent concentrated risk
However, no system can completely prevent losses in extreme market conditions.

🔧 Technical Questions

What are the system requirements?
Minimum requirements:
  • OS: Windows 10+, macOS 10.14+, Ubuntu 20.04+
  • Python: 3.9 or higher
  • RAM: 8GB minimum, 16GB recommended
  • Storage: 10GB free space
  • Internet: Stable broadband connection
  • CPU: 4 cores minimum, 8 cores recommended
Can I run PRIME in the cloud?
Yes! PRIME works well on cloud platforms:
  • AWS EC2 (t3.large or better)
  • Google Cloud Platform
  • Microsoft Azure
  • DigitalOcean
  • Oracle Cloud
Cloud deployment ensures 24/7 uptime and reduces latency. We provide deployment scripts for major platforms.
How do I update PRIME?
Update using pip:
pip install --upgrade prime-trading
Or pull latest from GitHub:
git pull origin main
Always backup your configuration before updating. Test updates in paper trading first.
What data sources does PRIME use?
PRIME aggregates data from multiple sources:
  • Real-time price data from your broker
  • Historical data from Yahoo Finance, Polygon
  • Economic indicators from FRED
  • Options data from CBOE
  • Crypto data from multiple exchanges
  • News sentiment from various APIs
Data is cleaned, normalized, and stored locally for fast access.

🛡️ Safety & Security

Is my broker account safe?
PRIME uses API keys with limited permissions:
  • Cannot withdraw funds from your account
  • Cannot change account settings
  • Only has trading permissions you grant
  • API keys are encrypted locally
  • No keys are ever sent to external servers
💡 Always use API keys with minimum required permissions and enable IP whitelisting when available.
What if PRIME crashes during trading?
PRIME has multiple failsafes:
  • All positions have stop-loss orders at broker level
  • Automatic restart with position recovery
  • Dead man's switch closes positions if no heartbeat
  • Email/SMS alerts on system failures
  • Detailed logs for debugging and recovery
Your broker's stop-loss orders remain active even if PRIME is offline.
How can I test without risking money?
Three ways to test safely:
  1. Backtesting: Test strategies on historical data
  2. Paper Trading: Trade with simulated money in real-time
  3. Small Live Account: Start with minimum capital after paper success
⚠️ ALWAYS paper trade for at least 30-60 days before using real money!
What are the biggest risks?
The main risks include:
  • Market Risk: Losses from market movements
  • Technical Risk: Software bugs or failures
  • Overfitting: Strategies that work in backtests but fail live
  • Liquidity Risk: Unable to exit positions
  • Black Swan Events: Unprecedented market events
  • User Error: Misconfiguration or wrong parameters
Read our full Risk Disclosure before trading.

Still have questions?

Can't find what you're looking for? Get in touch with our support team.