Connect Roo Code to NinjaTrader 8
Cline fork with Architect / Code / Ask / Debug modes. Plan before generating; debug after.
Roo Code calling CrossTrade MCP tools against a live NinjaTrader 8 account. Run this yourself in 5 minutes →
Why pair Roo Code with CrossTrade MCP
Roo Code's mode system makes it natural to plan a strategy in Architect mode, generate it in Code mode, and debug in Debug mode. The MCP integration matches Cline's; if you use Cline, Roo Code is a drop-in upgrade.
mcp_settings.json with type: "streamable-http" (kebab-case) What this combination unlocks
Mode-driven flow
Architect → Code → Debug each have appropriate tool/file access.
The connection chain
Roo Code │ OAuth-authorized tool call ▼ CrossTrade hosted MCP server (https://app.crosstrade.io/v1/api/mcp) │ ▼ CrossTrade Add-On running inside NT8 on your PC │ ▼ NinjaTrader 8
One URL, one consent screen, one read-only first prompt. The MCP server is hosted by CrossTrade; you don't run anything beyond NT8 + the CrossTrade Add-On.
Ready to set up Roo Code?
The full step-by-step setup lives on a dedicated page. Verified against Roo's current docs.
Copy-paste prompts that work today
Also consider
Common questions
Is Roo Code a good fit for NinjaScript development?
Yes, especially if you like a structured workflow. Roo Code's mode system (Architect, Code, Ask, Debug) maps naturally to trading-strategy work: Architect mode to plan a NinjaScript spec, Code mode to write it, Debug mode to investigate why a backtest didn't behave.
Do I need Roo Code, or will Cline do?
Roo Code is a Cline fork — same VS Code home, same MCP plumbing, with the modes layer added. If you find yourself constantly switching between "plan" and "code" with Cline, Roo Code formalizes the distinction. Otherwise Cline is fine.
Cost?
Free, open source, BYOK. You pay the model provider (Anthropic, OpenRouter, etc.). The docs recommend Claude Sonnet 4.5 as a starting model.
Mac, Windows, and Linux?
All three. VS Code Marketplace extension (publisher: rooveterinaryinc.roo-cline) and Open VSX Registry. The -cline suffix in the publisher name reflects its fork heritage.
Why streamable-http kebab and not Cline's streamableHttp camel?
Roo Code chose kebab-case to align with the MCP spec. Cline kept camelCase from earlier conventions. Configs aren't portable between them without renaming the type field.
Roo Code vs Cline?
Roo Code for the mode system (Architect/Code/Ask/Debug) and slightly more aggressive UI experimentation. Cline for the larger ecosystem and broader battle-testing. Both run CrossTrade MCP equivalently.
Does Roo Code support OAuth for remote MCP servers?
Roo Code's docs document header-based auth (Authorization or X-API-Key) but not a native browser OAuth flow yet. Workaround: obtain a CrossTrade token via another OAuth-capable client and paste as a header. Likely to gain native OAuth as the fork catches up.
Can I use the modes for trading-specific workflows?
Yes. Architect mode is excellent for planning a strategy spec before writing any NinjaScript. Debug mode is good for "why did this signal not fill" investigations across journal data + add-on activity. Code mode for the actual compile loop.
Connect Roo Code to NinjaTrader 8 in 5 minutes
Free Sim101 walkthrough. Read-only first. Upgrade scope only when a real workflow needs it.
