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NinjaTrader 101

NinjaTrader 8 is the execution platform where your trades actually happen. CrossTrade sends commands to NinjaTrader, and NinjaTrader places orders with your broker.

Key Concepts​

The path from a CrossTrade webhook through the NT8 Add-On, into NinjaTrader’s automated trading interface, out to the broker and back as a fill. Each hop is drawn with what it needs in order to work: the add-on needs NinjaTrader open, NinjaTrader needs a live broker connection, and the fill report travels the same path back. Any link being down stops the chain at that point.

Four hops, each with a requirement. Open and connected are not the same thing.

Connections and Data Feeds​

NinjaTrader needs a data feed connection to function. This can be:

  • NinjaTrader's own data feed (purchased subscription)
  • A broker-provided feed (like your prop firm's evaluation account)
  • Playback data (for testing/replay)

You only need Level 1 data for CrossTrade orders — Level 2 is not required.

The ATI (Automated Trading Interface)​

The ATI is NinjaTrader's built-in interface for accepting external commands. CrossTrade communicates through the ATI, which is why you need to enable it during setup. Without it enabled, NinjaTrader won't accept any external orders.

Accounts​

NinjaTrader can connect to multiple accounts simultaneously — sim accounts, live accounts, prop firm accounts. Each account has a name (like Sim101 or Apex12345) that you reference in your CrossTrade commands.

ATM Strategies​

Advanced Trade Management (ATM) strategies are NinjaTrader's built-in bracket order system. You can define stop loss, profit target, and trailing stop templates, then reference them in your CrossTrade webhooks.

Multi-Provider Mode​

If you trade multiple accounts from different brokers simultaneously, enable Multi-Provider Mode in NinjaTrader. This allows NinjaTrader to maintain separate data feed connections for each broker.

Next Steps​