Where do I start with CrossTrade MCP?

Start with the client setup tutorial that matches your AI client of choice (ChatGPT, Claude Desktop, Claude Code, or Cursor), authenticate with mcp:read scope, and run the first read-only prompt to confirm CrossTrade MCP is reaching NinjaTrader 8 through the CrossTrade Add-On. Upgrade to mcp:trade only when a specific workflow needs writes.

Do I need to know how to code to use CrossTrade MCP?

No, for inspection workflows. Journal review, webhook diagnostics, copier diagnostics, and pre-trade briefs all run on natural-language prompts. NinjaScript authoring (vibe coding) does not require you to write C#; the agent drafts the code and CrossTrade MCP compiles and tests it.

How-to · Step-by-step · Verified

CrossTrade MCP How-To Guides for NinjaTrader 8

Practical, step-by-step tutorials for connecting AI agents to NinjaTrader 8 through CrossTrade MCP. Every guide shows screenshots, exact prompts, scope choices, troubleshooting tables, and a safety block. Start with the client you use, then layer on the workflows that pay off first.

Start with ChatGPT → Start with Claude

Connect an AI client

Choose your AI client

30+ MCP-capable hosts work with the CrossTrade server. Start with whichever matches how you already work.

Anthropic (Claude)

Claude.ai (web)

Zero-install Custom Connectors. Easiest path for non-developers.

Connect Claude.ai web →

Claude Desktop

The original MCP client. Best for interactive trading sessions.

Connect Claude Desktop →

Claude Code

CLI for NinjaScript authoring. Edits local files and calls MCP tools in one session.

Use Claude Code →

OpenAI

ChatGPT (web)

For ChatGPT plans that support remote MCP connectors.

Connect ChatGPT (web) →

ChatGPT Desktop

Developer Mode + MCP in the native macOS/Windows app.

Connect ChatGPT Desktop →

OpenAI Codex CLI

Terminal GPT agent with MCP via TOML config.

Connect Codex →

Google

Gemini CLI

Google's terminal agent. Long-context journal review.

Connect Gemini CLI →

IDE-based

Cursor

AI coding IDE with MCP support.

Use Cursor →

Windsurf

Codeium's MCP-aware IDE with Cascade agent.

Use Windsurf →

Zed

Fast Rust-based editor with MCP context servers.

Use Zed →

GitHub Copilot

VS Code Copilot Chat Agent Mode + MCP.

Use Copilot →

Cline

Open VS Code AI coding assistant with MCP support.

Use Cline →

Continue

Open-source IDE assistant (VS Code, JetBrains).

Use Continue →

Roo Code

Cline fork with Architect/Code/Ask/Debug modes.

Use Roo Code →

JetBrains AI / Junie

For IntelliJ, PyCharm, Rider users.

Use JetBrains AI →

Sourcegraph Cody

Repo-aware coding assistant with MCP support (stdio via proxy).

Use Cody →

Sourcegraph Amp

Cody's modern sibling. Native remote HTTP MCP + OAuth DCR.

Use Amp →

CLI / terminal

OpenCode (sst)

Multi-model terminal coding agent. 75+ providers.

Use OpenCode →

Aider

Popular git-aware CLI coding agent.

Use Aider →

Goose (Block)

MCP-first open-source agent.

Use Goose →

Crush (Charm)

Open-source coding agent with a clean TUI.

Use Crush →

Warp Agent Mode

AI-native terminal with MCP support.

Use Warp →

Desktop chat apps (multi-model)

Cherry Studio

Open-source multi-model desktop chat. Popular in APAC.

Use Cherry Studio →

Msty

Side-by-side model comparison + MCP.

Use Msty →

5ire

MCP-native lightweight desktop chat.

Use 5ire →

Self-hosted / multi-user / agents

Open WebUI

Ollama frontend. Pairs with local Qwen, Llama, DeepSeek.

Use Open WebUI →

LibreChat

Self-hosted multi-provider ChatGPT-style frontend.

Use LibreChat →

AnythingLLM

RAG + agent tooling + MCP.

Use AnythingLLM →

Hermes (Nous)

Autonomous server-resident agent. Chat-platform driven.

Use Hermes →

OpenClaw

Personal AI assistant: CLI + macOS menubar + chat platforms.

Use OpenClaw →

Workflow automation

n8n

Self-hostable workflow automation. Schedule risk reports, brief-and-notify chains.

Use n8n →

Pick an LLM

Most of these hosts let you pick which LLM does the reasoning. The MCP setup stays the same; only the model's strengths differ.

Claude

Cleanest NinjaScript, best refusal behavior on funded accounts.

Use Claude →

GPT (OpenAI)

Strictest tool calling. Default workhorse.

Use GPT →

Gemini

Long context for 90-day journal reviews in one prompt.

Use Gemini →

DeepSeek

R1 reasons hard; V3 is cheap. Best price-per-token.

Use DeepSeek →

Qwen, Llama, others

9 more model positioning pages: Mistral, Grok, GLM, Kimi, gpt-oss, local.

All LLMs →

See every integration

30+ harnesses, 12 LLMs, all the cross-links.

Browse the full hub →

Authenticate

Authenticate CrossTrade MCP

OAuth 2.1 setup

One URL, one consent screen, no pasted bearer tokens. Dynamic client registration per RFC 7591.

Authenticate CrossTrade MCP →

Pick the right scope

mcp:read for inspection, mcp:trade for writes. The OAuth scope is the floor.

Choose mcp:read vs mcp:trade →

Revoke access

Immediate revocation from the CrossTrade AI Clients page.

Revoke AI client access →

Troubleshoot 401, 403, 408

The three most common errors and the fix for each.

Troubleshoot 401, 403, and 408 →

Start read-only

Run your first read-only AI trading agent

Read-only is where every trader should start. The OAuth scope makes write actions impossible. The workflows that pay off most are inspection-only anyway.

Vibe code NinjaScript

Vibe code, compile, and backtest in one conversation

The compile loop runs inside the chat. The agent calls real NT8 symbols, compiles in memory, repairs errors, writes the file with confirmation, and runs Strategy Analyzer.

Debug

Debug webhooks and trade copier events

Funded futures

Funded futures safety and rule-aware workflows

Funded futures rewards discipline. AI does not change that. CrossTrade MCP gives the agent the scope, state checks, and confirmation gates that make it safer to use, but the firm's rules are still binding.

Order management

Trade-enabled workflows with confirmation gates

Trade-enabled means the agent can place, cancel, or flatten. Every irreversible action should be restated and confirmed before the agent calls the tool.

Edge cases

Special environments

Pick a tutorial. Run it on Sim101 first.

Every guide is read-only first, confirmation-gated for writes, and rule-aware for funded accounts.

Connect ChatGPT → Connect Claude