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How to Use CrossTrade MCP with NinjaTrader 8 on a Windows VPS

Most NinjaTrader users run NT8 on a Windows VPS so the platform stays online when the laptop closes. CrossTrade MCP works the same way on a VPS as on a desktop, with a few network and OAuth considerations.

Prerequisites​

RequirementDetail
Windows VPSA Windows machine running NinjaTrader 8 24/7
CrossTrade subscriptionElite
CrossTrade Add-Onv1.13.0 or higher installed on the VPS
NetworkVPS allows outbound HTTPS to app.crosstrade.io
AI client locationYour laptop, your VPS, or another machine

Step 1: Confirm CrossTrade Add-On is running on the VPS​

  1. RDP into the VPS.
  2. Open NinjaTrader 8.
  3. Open the CrossTrade Add-On panel. Confirm version v1.13.0 or higher and status connected.
  4. Confirm the broker connection inside NT8.

Step 2: Decide where the AI client runs​

OptionProsCons
AI client on your laptopOAuth consent uses your local browser; familiar workflowSome lag depending on internet speed
AI client on the VPSLowest latency to NT8 add-on; runs even when laptop is offOAuth consent uses the VPS browser (RDP into the VPS for it)
AI client on a third machineUseful if multiple traders share the VPSSame considerations as your laptop

CrossTrade MCP runs in the cloud; the AI client only needs to reach app.crosstrade.io, not the VPS directly.

Step 3: Add the CrossTrade MCP server to the client​

Standard config, same as desktop setup:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "crosstrade": {
      "url": "https://app.crosstrade.io/v1/api/mcp"
    }
  }
}

See the client-specific tutorials: ChatGPT, Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor.

Step 4: Complete OAuth​

The OAuth flow opens a browser. If the client runs on the VPS, the consent screen opens in the VPS browser; complete it there. If the client runs on your laptop, complete it locally.

The token is bound to the client device. Each device must complete its own OAuth flow.

Step 5: Verify the connection​

In the AI client:

Use read-only tools only. Confirm CrossTrade MCP is connected and NinjaTrader 8
on the VPS is reachable. List my accounts.

The agent should report the add-on version, NT8 version on the VPS, and the account list.

Step 6: Run your usual workflows​

The agent reaches NT8 through the CrossTrade hosted server and the add-on running on the VPS. From the agent's point of view there is no difference between local NT8 and VPS NT8.

If you run trade copier features across the VPS and a local NT8, see Debug a NinjaTrader Trade Copier with AI.

VPS considerations​

Uptime​

If the VPS goes offline, the CrossTrade Add-On loses connection. The agent will return 408 timeouts on add-on-backed tools until the VPS is back. Use a VPS with a reliable uptime SLA.

Auto-reconnect​

The CrossTrade Add-On has built-in auto-reconnect logic. After a temporary disconnect, it reconnects without intervention.

NT8 must be running​

If NT8 itself is closed, MCP tool calls that need NT8 state return 408. Use a watchdog (Task Scheduler or an NT8 restart utility) to keep NT8 up.

OAuth tokens on shared VPSes​

If multiple traders share the VPS, each trader's AI client should authorize from their own login. Do not share OAuth tokens.

Troubleshooting​

SymptomFix
408 timeout when laptop is off but VPS is onThe agent is reachable through CrossTrade hosted server regardless of laptop state; the VPS-side add-on must be connected. RDP in to check.
Agent works from laptop but not from VPSThe client on the VPS may have outdated MCP cache; reload MCP servers in that client
OAuth consent opens locally when client is on VPSThe client opened the local browser; if you want consent inside the VPS browser, run the client from the VPS RDP session