Getting Started with CrossTrade
CrossTrade routes TradingView alerts to NinjaTrader 8 through the NT8 Add-On or directly to a linked Tradovate account in the cloud. This guide covers both setup paths, the alert flow, and where to go for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CrossTrade?
CrossTrade receives webhook alerts (typically from TradingView) and routes them either to the CrossTrade Add-On in NinjaTrader 8 or directly to a linked Tradovate account. It also includes Account Manager risk controls and separate NT8 and Tradovate trade copiers.
NinjaTrader remains the default destination. Add destination=tradovate to opt into cloud execution for a linked Tradovate account.
How do I get started with CrossTrade?
Follow the full Setup Guide at crosstrade.io/docs/readme/set-up-guide. Choose the NinjaTrader path to install the NT8 Add-On and connect a data feed, or choose the direct Tradovate path to link a Live or Demo identity through OAuth with no desktop software. Then send a test alert to the selected destination.
What's the overall workflow?
TradingView (or another alert source) fires a webhook to your CrossTrade URL. CrossTrade validates the payload, applies shared rules such as rate limits and trade windows, then routes it to the selected destination. The default NT8 route requires the desktop platform and Add-On to be connected. The destination=tradovate route requires a linked Tradovate account and executes through Tradovate's cloud API.
Does CrossTrade work with Tradovate, NinjaTrader Web, or other platforms?
CrossTrade supports NinjaTrader 8 and direct Tradovate execution. NinjaTrader is the default webhook destination; use destination=tradovate after linking your Live or Demo Tradovate identity in My Account > Brokers. NinjaTrader Web does not have a separate CrossTrade destination, although orders placed through the Tradovate API appear in the Tradovate/NinjaTrader cloud account. WealthCharts and other execution platforms are not supported.
What are the setup steps at a high level?
Sign up at crosstrade.io and choose one execution path. For the default NinjaTrader route, install the NT8 Add-On, log in, connect NT8 to a data feed, enable ATI, and test with Sim101. For direct Tradovate, open My Account > Brokers, link a Live or Demo identity through OAuth, and test with destination=tradovate; no NinjaTrader installation or Add-On is required. Then paste your webhook URL and CrossTrade payload into TradingView.
Where do I find my webhook URL and secret key?
Both are on your CrossTrade dashboard (app.crosstrade.io/user/dashboard) and in your Settings page (app.crosstrade.io/user/my-account). You paste the webhook URL into the TradingView alert's notification/webhook field, and you include the secret key in the alert message body as key=...
What does a basic alert message look like?
A minimal market-buy uses semicolon-separated key=value pairs: key, command=PLACE, account, instrument, action=BUY, qty, order_type=MARKET, and tif=DAY. For a TradingView strategy using dynamic variables, swap action and qty for the strategy.order.action and strategy.order.contracts variables. Every line must end with a semicolon, including the last one. Common errors like 'Improperly formatted request' usually trace back to a missing = or ;. CrossTrade does not accept JSON — it must be the semicolon-separated key=value format.
key=your-secret-key;
command=PLACE;
account=sim101;
instrument=ES1!;
action=BUY;
qty=1;
order_type=MARKET;
tif=DAY;
key=your-secret-key;
command=PLACE;
account=sim101;
instrument=ES1!;
action={{strategy.order.action}};
qty={{strategy.order.contracts}};
order_type=MARKET;
tif=DAY;
How do I enable NT8's Automated Trading Interface (ATI)?
ATI must be enabled in NT8 for CrossTrade to place orders. If you see 'Automated Trading Interface (ATI) is disabled. Please enable ATI before using CrossTrade' in the XT log, follow the instructions at crosstrade.io/docs/readme/set-up-guide#enable-the-ninjatrader-ati. After enabling ATI, restart NT8.
Do I need to connect NT8 to a data feed?
Yes. For order execution to work, NT8 needs a connected data feed — either a purchased NT8 data subscription or one provided by a prop evaluation/funded account. For initial testing you can use the Simulated Data Feed. Make sure all data feeds are connected under NT8's Control Panel > Connections dropdown.
How do I send a test alert without using TradingView?
Use the Webhook Trader on your CrossTrade dashboard. In NinjaTrader mode, execute a basic PLACE command against Sim101 with the NT8 Add-On connected. In Tradovate mode, use a linked Demo account; the command routes server-side with destination=tradovate. The behavior matches an external webhook.
What's the most minimal NT8 setup I need running?
Just the NT8 Control Panel and the CrossTrade XT Window. You don't need charts open for CrossTrade to execute orders. The smallest VPS tier is sufficient if you're running only these.
Do I need a VPS?
A VPS is not required. NinjaTrader users may choose one for 24/7 desktop uptime and reliability. Direct Tradovate execution runs in CrossTrade's cloud and does not require NinjaTrader, a desktop Add-On, or a personal VPS. CrossTrade offers Chicago-based VPS plans for NT8 users at crosstrade.io/vps.
Do I need to keep NT8 and my computer running for alerts to execute?
Only the NinjaTrader path requires NT8 to be running with the Add-On connected. TradingView alerts live on TradingView's servers, so TradingView does not need to be open. Alerts with destination=tradovate execute through the linked Tradovate cloud route while NT8 and your computer are off.
Can I use CrossTrade for manual trading only (no automation)?
CrossTrade is primarily built for automated trading through alerts, but the Webhook Trader can send concrete order commands to the active NinjaTrader or Tradovate destination. REST and MCP also support direct order control on their respective platform surfaces.
Is there a free trial?
Yes, CrossTrade offers a 7-day free trial. If you sign up late in the week and miss market hours, support can extend it — email support@crosstrade.io. Note that if you've already taken a trial in the past, you'll need to purchase a subscription at crosstrade.io/pricing to continue.
Can I manage multiple accounts (including Apex, prop firms, etc.) through CrossTrade?
Yes. CrossTrade supports multiple NT8 accounts and linked Tradovate accounts, including many prop firm accounts. You can use multi-account webhook placement or the platform-specific Trade Copier. NinjaTrader supports Add-On-backed order and execution modes. On the Tradovate copier, signal mode is generally available; fill-driven execution mode is in beta. For Apex WealthCharts specifically, choose Rithmic credentials for direct NT8 use.
Which instrument formats does CrossTrade accept?
CrossTrade accepts MGC1!, MGC DEC26, MGC 12-26, and MGCZ6 formats (for example, Micro Gold December 2026). For NinjaTrader, CrossTrade converts TradingView formats to the format saved in your NT8 instrument settings. For direct Tradovate, continuous symbols such as MGC1! resolve to the active Tradovate contract. You can also hard-code a dated contract for either destination.
For prop firm accounts, what should I enter in the account= field?
Enter the account name exactly as it appears for the selected destination. For NT8, use the name shown in NinjaTrader; for Bulenox and similar NT8 prop accounts, this is typically everything before the first exclamation point. For direct Tradovate, use the account name shown under your linked Live or Demo identity.
Where do I see alert history and troubleshoot missing signals?
The Alert History page at app.crosstrade.io/user/history is the source of truth for whether CrossTrade received an alert and which destination it used. If an alert is missing, check the TradingView webhook URL and alert configuration. For NinjaTrader failures, verify the NT8 Add-On and data feed are connected. For Tradovate failures, verify the Live or Demo identity is linked and the payload includes destination=tradovate. The response on the Alert History entry will tell you why.
Where can I get help?
Full docs at crosstrade.io/docs, Setup Guide at crosstrade.io/docs/readme/set-up-guide, YouTube at youtube.com/@crosstrade-io, email support@crosstrade.io, and live chat / Discord are staffed most of the day including outside core hours. CrossTrade is a small team and does not offer phone support or one-on-one screen-sharing sessions, but the docs, videos, and chat/email support cover the full setup flow.