Connecting an exchange

Live trading sends orders straight from Nocterm to your exchange - there’s no separate bridge app to install. You connect an exchange once under Settings ▸ Connections by entering its API keys; from then on, any panel pointed at that venue (with Local paper off) routes real orders to the market. This page covers connecting a venue and reading its connection status.

Where: Settings ▸ ConnectionsMode: LiveNeeds: Trader / Desk tier + API keys

The Connections settings with an exchange expanded, showing the API-key fields and connection dot

How connections work

Nocterm holds your exchange session directly. When a venue is connected, orders you place on a panel showing that venue go to the exchange; when it isn’t connected, there’s nothing to carry the order, so it won’t route. The Nocterm venue needs no keys - it’s data-only and always runs the in-app paper engine.

Connecting a venue

1. Open Settings ▸ Connections and expand the exchange you want (Kraken, Kraken Prop, or Alpaca). Live venues need the Trader or Desk tier.
2. Enter the venue’s API key and secret (created in the exchange’s own dashboard).
3. Press Connect. Nocterm validates the keys and opens the feed.
4. Confirm the connection dot turns green, and leave Local paper off so the venue trades live.

A connected exchange with a green connection dot

Reading the connection status

Each venue in Connections shows a status dot:

Dot	Meaning
Green	Connected - the feed is online and live orders will reach the exchange
Gray	Not connected - reconnect before placing a live order

Caution

If a venue’s dot is gray, its live orders won’t route. Reconnect it before you trade. To practice without any exchange at all, use the Nocterm venue (always paper) or turn on Local paper for the venue.

Live vs Local paper

Connecting an exchange doesn’t commit you to live trading. Each venue carries a Local paper toggle in Connections: off means real orders, on means the same venue’s orders fill in the in-app simulator against its live prices. That lets you rehearse on a real market’s data with no money at risk, then flip to live when you’re ready.

Tip

Keep an eye on a venue’s dot during a live session, especially after your machine wakes from sleep or switches networks - that’s when a feed most often drops.

Related

• Live trading - placing real orders once a venue is connected.
• Paper trading - the in-app simulated account.