How to Connect Warp to NinjaTrader 8 with CrossTrade MCP

Warp is an AI-native terminal. Agent Mode supports remote MCP servers via a UI flow (no config file path; you paste JSON into a settings dialog). Native OAuth for servers that support it. BYOK rolled out to all plans including Free in May 2026.

OAuth scope: mcp:tradeMulti-model harness

Prerequisites

Requirement	Detail
CrossTrade subscription	Elite
CrossTrade Add-On	v1.13.0 or higher
NinjaTrader 8	Running, broker connected
Account	Sim101 for first runs
OAuth scope	`mcp:trade`
Config file	`Settings → Agents → MCP servers → Add (GUI dialog; no file path)`

CrossTrade MCP server

https://app.crosstrade.io/v1/api/mcp

Transport: streamable-http. Auth: OAuth 2.1 + PKCE. Request scope mcp:trade. Read plus write. Place/cancel orders, deploy strategies, compile NinjaScript.

Step 1: Install Warp and enable Agent Mode

Download from warp.dev/download (or brew install --cask warp on macOS). Sign in on first launch.

Agent Mode is on by default. Open the Agents panel from the sidebar or via Command Palette.

Step 2: Add CrossTrade MCP

There is no config file to edit. Use the GUI:

Settings → Agents → MCP servers → + Add.

(Alternatively: Command Palette → "Open MCP Servers", or Warp Drive → Personal → MCP Servers.)
Paste this JSON into the Add Server dialog:

{
  "CrossTrade": {
    "url": "https://app.crosstrade.io/v1/api/mcp",
    "headers": {
      "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_TOKEN"
    }
  }
}

The JSON object key (CrossTrade) becomes the server display name.

Click Add.

GUI-managed, no file path

Warp stores MCP server configs internally — they're not in a user-editable file. Warp picks transport (HTTP/SSE) automatically; there is no type or transport key in the JSON.

Step 3: OAuth (when supported)

For servers that advertise OAuth, Warp opens the system browser, handles the callback, and stores credentials securely. CrossTrade's OAuth setup works here.

Fallback for non-OAuth: a static bearer token in headers.Authorization.

Step 4: First prompt

In the Warp prompt, type a natural-language line:

# List my CrossTrade accounts. Then show open positions on Sim101.

Warp routes to the agent, calls the tools, and returns the result inline. Useful when you're already in a shell working on something else and want a quick status check without switching apps.

Plans + BYOK (matters for MCP cost)

Plan	Price	AI credits	BYOK
Free	$0/mo	75/mo	Yes (since May 21, 2026)
Build	$20/mo	1,500/mo	Yes
Business	$50/mo/seat	Higher	Yes
Enterprise	Custom	Unlimited	Yes

Recommendation for traders: enable BYOK with your own Anthropic/OpenAI key so MCP-heavy sessions don't eat the credit allowance.

FAQ

Can I use Warp on Windows / Linux?

Warp supports macOS, Linux, and Windows.

Why no config file?

Warp is a managed terminal app; settings live in its internal store. The trade-off is no version-control of MCP server lists, but you can copy/paste between machines.

OAuth handshake

The first tool call surfaces an authorization URL. Open it in a browser, approve mcp:trade, and return to the harness. The access token is stored by the harness (keychain, config file, or memory depending on the client).

See CrossTrade MCP OAuth for the full flow, and 403/408 troubleshooting if the handshake fails.

Verify the connection

Smoke-test before doing anything stateful:

Call GetMcpCapabilities and McpSelfTest. Then ListAccounts and GetConnections.
Report add-on version, NT8 version, and which accounts are linked.

If you authorized mcp:trade, also confirm Sim101 is the default account before any order placement.

Funded-account safety

The mcp:trade scope grants order placement. The scope does not protect a funded account; your prompt and account selection do. Default to Sim101 during setup. For funded accounts, verify the firm's automation policy first.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Likely cause	Fix
403 insufficient_scope	Token authorized at mcp:read but tool requires mcp:trade	Reauthorize the connection and select mcp:trade
OAuth callback fails	System browser blocked the redirect or popup	Copy the auth URL manually, complete it, paste the code back
Tools list is empty after connect	Server registered but session did not refresh	Restart the harness or trigger a tool list refresh
Add-on offline error	NT8 not running, or add-on not loaded	Confirm NT8 is open and the CrossTrade add-on (v1.13.0+) is installed
MCP tool calls eat AI credits fast	Heavy MCP usage on Free (75 credits/mo) or Build (1,500 credits/mo)	Add a BYOK API key (Anthropic / OpenAI / Google) — BYOK bypasses Warp credits since May 21, 2026
Settings location moved	Warp reorganized "AI" settings to "Agents" in 2026	Look under Settings → Agents → MCP Servers
Transport hangs (HTTP vs SSE picked wrong)	Warp infers transport from the server's response and there is no JSON override	Ensure CrossTrade is reachable; if forced to disambiguate, expose distinct URLs for HTTP vs SSE on the server side

Prerequisites

Step 1: Install Warp and enable Agent Mode​

Step 2: Add CrossTrade MCP​

Step 3: OAuth (when supported)​

Step 4: First prompt​

Plans + BYOK (matters for MCP cost)​

FAQ​

Can I use Warp on Windows / Linux?​

Why no config file?​