Algo Trading Guides
Algo trading means turning a strategy into rules that a program trades for you. The hard part is not the code but rules that hold outside the past and a program that behaves when markets do not.
Start with the overview. More guides on coding, platforms and Expert Advisors will follow.
Guides in this topic
- Get started
Algo Trading: How It Works, Platforms and Risks
What algo trading is, the six stages of a trading system, platforms and languages, risks and US rules.
- Choose an API broker
Alpaca Trading Review 2026: API Broker Tested
Alpaca tested with paper-trading orders: fees, data plans, the API and AI connector, regulation and fines.
- Compare an options API broker
Tradier Review 2026: Pricing, API and MCP Server
Tradier from its own documents: the three plans, the API and sandbox, the MCP server for AI assistants and two fines.
- Code your first bot
Python Trading Bot: Step-by-Step SMA200 Backtest
A four-block SMA200 backtest in Python on the Nasdaq 100, with honest results and the path to paper trading.
- Pick a trading bot
Trading Bots: How They Work, Costs and Risks
Six common bot approaches, provider desk research, costs with billing basis, legal checks and what to verify before you connect an account.
- Build a bot with AI
AI Trading Bots: Build One with Claude and TradingView
A semi-automated bot with Claude and TradingView, tested on Bitcoin with costs, open-trade drawdown, out-of-sample and buy and hold.