Do I need to run a local MCP server for NinjaTrader?

No. CrossTrade hosts the MCP server. Your client connects to https://app.crosstrade.io/v1/api/mcp directly. The CrossTrade Add-On running inside NinjaTrader 8 is the bridge that translates MCP tool calls into NT8 actions; you do not maintain that bridge.

Setup overview · NT8 + AI

NinjaTrader MCP Setup with CrossTrade

Q: How do I set up a NinjaTrader MCP server?

Use CrossTrade's hosted MCP server at https://app.crosstrade.io/v1/api/mcp. Add the URL to your AI client of choice (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, ChatGPT with remote MCP). Complete OAuth consent. Start in mcp:read scope. Requires CrossTrade Elite and CrossTrade Add-On v1.13.0 or higher, with NinjaTrader 8 running on the same machine.

Connect any MCP-compatible AI client to NinjaTrader 8 through CrossTrade's hosted Model Context Protocol server. One URL. OAuth 2.1. Scoped permissions. Strategy Analyzer parity. Pick your client below and follow the matching step-by-step tutorial.

ChatGPT setup → Claude setup

The endpoint

One server URL

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

That is the only URL most clients need. Discovery, OAuth, and dynamic client registration are handled automatically.

Requirements

What you need before setup

Requirement

Detail

CrossTrade subscription

Elite tier. REST and WebSocket remain on Pro; only MCP is Elite-gated.

CrossTrade Add-On

v1.13.0 or higher.

NinjaTrader 8

Running on the same machine, broker connected.

AI client

A client that supports remote MCP (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, ChatGPT with remote MCP, Continue, Cline, or a custom agent).

Browser

Required once for OAuth consent.

Pick your client

Step-by-step setup by AI client

ChatGPT

For ChatGPT plans that support remote MCP connectors.

ChatGPT setup tutorial →

Claude Desktop

The original MCP client. Best for interactive sessions.

Claude Desktop tutorial →

Claude Code

CLI for NinjaScript work.

Claude Code tutorial →

Cursor

IDE with MCP support.

Cursor tutorial →

Cline

AI coding assistant with MCP support.

Cline tutorial →

Continue

Open-source IDE assistant with MCP support.

Continue tutorial →

Authenticate

OAuth, scopes, and revocation

Every client uses OAuth 2.1 with PKCE and dynamic client registration. Tokens are bound to one scope: mcp:read for inspection or mcp:trade for writes. The OAuth scope is enforced at the transport; a read token cannot place an order.

Verify

Confirm the setup with a first read-only prompt

Paste this into your AI client after OAuth consent completes:

First read-only prompt Use read-only tools only. Confirm that CrossTrade MCP is connected, confirm whether NinjaTrader 8 is connected through the CrossTrade add-on, list my available accounts, and summarize any open positions or working orders. Do not place, cancel, modify, flatten, deploy, or write anything.

The agent calls GetMcpCapabilities, McpSelfTest, ListAccounts, GetConnections, ListPositions, ListOrders. If anything is missing, see Troubleshoot 401, 403, and 408 Errors.

Troubleshooting

The three most common setup errors

Code

Cause and fix

401

Token expired, revoked, or never issued. Reauthorize from the CrossTrade AI Clients page.

403 Elite required

Account below Elite. Upgrade at Subscriptions.

408 timeout

NinjaTrader 8 is closed or the CrossTrade Add-On is disconnected. Open NT8 and verify the add-on.

For deeper troubleshooting, see the full tutorial or the docs page.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do I set up a NinjaTrader MCP server?

Use CrossTrade's hosted MCP server at https://app.crosstrade.io/v1/api/mcp. Add the URL to your AI client. Complete OAuth. Start in mcp:read. Requires CrossTrade Elite and Add-On v1.13.0 or higher.

Do I need to run a local MCP server?

No. CrossTrade hosts it. The CrossTrade Add-On in NT8 is the bridge.

Which AI clients are supported?

Any client that implements remote MCP per the spec. Tutorials cover Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, Cline, Continue, ChatGPT (with remote MCP), and custom OpenAI SDK agents.

Can I use this with a funded futures account?

Yes for inspection workflows. For trade-enabled access on a funded account, verify the firm's automation policy. Apex prohibits automation; Topstep permits with caveats. See the prop firm guide.

One URL. One tutorial. You are connected.

Start with the client you already use. Move to the workflows that pay off first.

All how-to guides → Elite pricing