What is Automated Trading?
Automated trading uses software to execute trades based on predefined rules — removing the need to manually click buttons every time a signal fires. Instead of watching charts all day, you define your conditions and let the system handle execution.
How It Works
At a high level, automated trading follows a simple loop:
- Signal — Something triggers a trade decision (an indicator crossing, a price level hit, a strategy condition met)
- Message — That signal gets packaged into a command and sent to your broker
- Execution — The broker receives the command and places the order
CrossTrade sits in the middle of this loop. It receives webhook messages from platforms like TradingView and translates them into orders that NinjaTrader can execute.
Why Automate?
Speed. Alerts fire and orders execute in milliseconds — faster than any human can click.
Consistency. No emotional decisions. Your rules run exactly as defined, every time.
Scalability. Run multiple strategies across multiple accounts simultaneously without manual intervention.
Freedom. Your strategies run whether you're at your desk, asleep, or on vacation.
What You Need
To get started with automated trading through CrossTrade, you need:
- A TradingView account (free or paid) to create alerts
- A NinjaTrader 8 installation connected to a broker or data feed
- A CrossTrade account to bridge the two
Ready to set it up? Follow the Set Up Guide to get connected in minutes.
Common Misconceptions
"I need to know how to code." Not true. CrossTrade uses simple key-value commands — no programming required. If you can fill in a form, you can create a webhook alert.
"Automated trading is set-and-forget." Not quite. You still need to monitor your strategies, manage risk, and adjust as markets change. Automation handles execution — you handle the strategy.
"It's only for day traders." Automated trading works for any timeframe — scalping, swing trading, position trading. If your strategy has definable entry and exit rules, it can be automated.