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New AFT8 Help Desk Guides: Indicators, Market Analyzer Columns and Bar Types

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New AFT8 guidance is now available in the AlgoFuturesTrader Help Desk, with a main components index and three dedicated articles covering AFT8 Indicators, Market Analyzer Columns, and Bar Types for NinjaTrader 8.

Whether you are getting familiar with AFT8 or returning to a particular component, these links give you a convenient starting point for finding the relevant guidance.

Start here: the AFT8 components index

Begin with AlgoFuturesTrader AFT8 Components for NinjaTrader 8, the main index for this set of Help Desk articles. Bookmark it so you can return to the component guidance when you need it.

Explore the three component guides

Keep the guidance close at hand

Start with the main index for an overview, or jump directly to the article that matches the component you are working with. Save the links alongside your AFT8 resources for easy reference.

Trader Success VIP Joins the ATS Ecosystem: One-to-One Help for Futures Traders

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We’re pleased to welcome Trader Success VIP (TSV) to the ATS Ecosystem as an independent service provider and authorized ATS sales affiliate.

Traders can get started with ATS through the self-assisted Launch Pad, Zero to Hero resources, Help Center and trading groups. For those who would like personal guidance alongside those resources, TSV offers one-to-one assistance from initial setup through ongoing Trade Mastery.

How Trader Success VIP Can Help

  • Free Discovery Meeting: Review your experience, trading goals, current progress and next steps.
  • Fast-track onboarding: Get help with registration, installation, platform connections and your first Zero to Hero steps.
  • NinjaTrader and ATS setup: Configure your software, data feed, account connections and trading workspace.
  • Remote technical assistance: Work through installation, connection or configuration issues in a separate one-to-one session.
  • Prop-firm and live-account preparation: Develop a practical setup and trading plan for your chosen account and instruments.
  • One-to-one Trade Mastery: Get ongoing guidance focused on your charts, trading workflow and trade plan.

TSV is headed by Steven Puleston, an experienced ATS trader focused on prop-firm trading and Nasdaq futures. Its services are designed for traders who want individual guidance while learning to use NinjaTrader, AlgoFuturesTrader and the wider ATS trading ecosystem.

Choose the Assistance You Need

Already an ATS customer? Start with the ATS Help Center for self-assisted and AI-assisted guidance and product support. For personal installation, configuration, onboarding, product training or Trade Mastery, choose a paid TSV service.

  • Explore the ATS Ecosystem to compare independent providers and current offers.
  • Visit Trader Success VIP to choose and purchase one-to-one assistance or get a free discovery meeting

Trader Success VIP is an independent service provider and authorized ATS sales affiliate. Its services are supplied by TSV, not by Algo Trading Systems LLC. Trader Success VIP and TSV are trading names of MicroTrends Limited. Trading involves substantial risk, and coaching or assistance does not guarantee trading results, funding or payouts.

Protect Your Trade Zone: Set Up Do Not Disturb Before Trading

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A brief distraction can be enough to miss a planned trade entry. Protecting your attention is part of preparing to trade.

You may be waiting for the market open, a “10am jiggle” setup, or the move that follows it. Then a WhatsApp message, support request or business conversation pulls you away. By the time you return, the entry has happened and the market context has changed.

Do not chase a missed entry. Let it go, record what distracted you and wait for the next setup that meets your trade plan. Semi-automated execution and trade management can help, but they do not replace your attention or judgment.

Protect your trading window

Our usual trading window is Monday to Friday, 8:30–11:00 a.m. US Central Time (CT). Some sessions are over quickly; others require patient observation. The window is a time to be prepared and focused, not a target for how quickly to finish trading.

Schedule quiet hours to begin before the session—for example, 8:15–11:00 a.m. CT—and extend them if you are still trading. If your devices use another time zone, set the corresponding local times and check them when US daylight saving time changes.

Put aside unrelated chats, email, social media, support and sales requests, and business discussions. Let colleagues, friends and family know when you will be available again.

Decide which alerts you need

Keep availableSilence or defer
ATS Discord Trade Zone and relevant channel alertsUnrelated Discord servers, channels and direct messages
Required NinjaTrader, AFT and trade management alertsWhatsApp, Telegram, Signal and other personal chats
Essential platform, account and connection warningsEmail, social media and browser notifications
Selected emergency contactsRoutine calls, meetings and business requests

Configure both your phone and trading computer. Silencing one device will not necessarily silence notifications on another.

Windows 11: schedule Do Not Disturb

  1. Open Start → Settings → System → Notifications.
  2. Expand Turn on do not disturb automatically.
  3. Enable During these times and set your weekday trading window.
  4. Open Set priority notifications and review which calls, reminders and apps may interrupt you.
  5. Add Discord and essential trading apps where the available settings allow it.

Other Windows notifications can be reviewed later in Notification Center. See Microsoft’s guide to notifications and Do Not Disturb.

Windows 10: schedule Focus assist

  1. Open Start → Settings → System → Focus assist.
  2. Select Priority only.
  3. Open Customize your priority list and allow the essential apps available there.
  4. Under Automatic rules, open During these times.
  5. Set your weekday trading window and choose Priority only for that rule.

See Microsoft’s Focus assist guide. On either version of Windows, test your settings: an app’s own sounds or alerts may behave differently from standard Windows notifications. If an unwanted app still interrupts you, change its settings or close it during trading.

Android: schedule trading quiet hours

Menu names vary by device and Android version.

  1. Open Settings and search for Do Not Disturb.
  2. Look for a schedule or automatic rule. On some devices, you can create a custom mode named Trading.
  3. Set the days and times for your trading window.
  4. Review exceptions for essential alerts, Discord Trade Zone and emergency contacts.
  5. Keep unrelated chat and social apps outside the allowed list.

Review alarm and repeat-caller exceptions as well. See Google’s Android Do Not Disturb guide.

iPhone and iPad: create a Trading Focus

  1. Open Settings → Focus.
  2. Tap + → Custom and name the Focus Trading.
  3. Under People, choose the contacts you want to allow.
  4. Under Apps, allow Discord and any essential trading alert apps.
  5. Choose Add Schedule → Time and set your weekday trading window.
  6. Review repeated calls and time-sensitive notifications, which may permit additional interruptions.

Apple provides guides to setting up a Focus and scheduling a Focus.

Mac: schedule a Trading Focus

Open Apple menu → System Settings → Focus. Add or select a Trading Focus, configure the people and apps you want to allow, then add a schedule for your trading days and times.

If you use Share across devices, check the result on each Apple device you trade near. See Apple’s Mac Focus guide.

Keep ATS Discord Trade Zone available

Allowing Discord through a device’s quiet mode may also allow unrelated Discord notifications. Refine your settings inside Discord:

  1. Other servers: mute servers you do not need during trading and review their mention settings.
  2. ATS server: keep it available, but mute unrelated channels individually.
  3. Trade Zone channels: choose the notifications you need. Select All Messages if you need every update; Only @mentions will not alert you to ordinary messages.
  4. Direct messages: mute unrelated conversations separately.

Avoid muting the entire ATS server if you rely on Trade Zone alerts. See Discord’s notification settings guide.

Before trading, join any required voice session or stream and confirm that you can hear it. Test both channel notifications and live audio.

Quiet WhatsApp and other chats

Use your scheduled device settings to quiet WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, Messenger, Slack, Teams and email. Keep these apps outside your allowed list unless one serves a specific trading purpose.

Check desktop apps, browser tabs, linked devices and your smartwatch too. If something still rings or appears on screen, change that app’s notification settings or close it for the session. Do Not Disturb also cannot stop you from opening a conversation yourself, so close unrelated tabs and put your phone out of sight.

Test your setup before the next session

  • Have someone send an ordinary chat message and confirm it does not interrupt you.
  • Confirm that required ATS Discord Trade Zone alerts and live audio work.
  • Test essential platform alerts safely, using simulation where appropriate.
  • Check your phone, computer, tablet and smartwatch for duplicate interruptions.
  • Confirm that quiet hours begin and end at the intended local times.

Do not mute all computer audio if you rely on trading alerts or Trade Zone commentary.

If a distraction causes you to miss an entry

Pause and reassess the market. Do not enter just because you feel you should have caught the previous move. Wait for a new setup that meets your trade plan.

Add a short note to your Trader Book of Lessons:

What happened: I answered a message while waiting for my setup and missed the entry.

My response: I let the missed trade go and waited for the next valid opportunity.

What I will change: I will schedule quiet hours on every device, close unrelated chats and test my Trade Zone alerts before the next session.

AFT8 Stopped Taking Automated Trades?

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Was AFT8 taking automated trades through your turnkey workspace, but has now stopped—even though signals still appear?

We’ve received reports from traders whose previously working AFT8 setup is no longer taking automated entries. If this describes your situation, an important first check is whether NinjaTrader’s contract symbology display format has changed, particularly following a NinjaTrader update or a change in your Account Dashboard preferences.

AFT8 currently requires Numeric contract symbology. A different display format can prevent it from recognising instruments correctly, so a workspace that previously took trades may stop taking entries.

Some Lifetime license owners have also seen an Optional Annual Maintenance renewal message and assumed this caused the problem. That message alone does not mean your perpetual AFT8 license has stopped working. Check contract symbology, software versions and workspace settings separately from your license entitlement.

AFT8 used to place automated trades through the turnkey workspaces; now it doesn’t take automated signals. 

We’ve received many reports from traders saying “AFT8 is not trading automatically” or “The signal appears, but the trade is not being taken.”

  • There has also been confusion among some Lifetime license owners who see an Optional Annual Maintenance renewal message and assume that it has disabled AFT8.
  • These situations need separate checks: your license entitlement, your installed software versions, and your NinjaTrader workspace settings.

Lifetime owners: Optional Annual Maintenance is optional

An AFT8 Ultimate Perpetual license included with an ATS Ultimate One-Time/Lifetime package does not require an Optional Annual Maintenance renewal to keep the core AFT8 software working.

  • Older AFT8 versions may display renewal messages based on previous licensing rules. A renewal reminder does not, by itself, establish why a trade was missed.
  • Make sure you have the latest supported versions of NinjaTrader 8 and AFT8, and follow our AFT8 renewal notification and license-check instructions.
  • With the correct perpetual license assigned and synchronised, the current software should remain available under that license. Automated entries still depend on your configuration, connections, valid signals and trading controls.

One setting to check first: contract symbology

  • If AFT8 previously worked and has stopped taking entries, check whether NinjaTrader’s contract display format has changed.
  • NinjaTrader supports several contract display styles, but AFT8 requires Symbology Display Style to be set to Numeric.
  • An unsupported format can prevent AFT8 from recognising instruments correctly. Symptoms may include:
    • Signals appearing without an automated entry being taken.
    • Missing Algo Entry values in the Market Analyzer.
    • Trade Manager showing Off.
    • Unknown Instrument errors in the Control Center Log tab.

These symptoms can have other causes, but contract symbology is an important early check.

There are two places to check

1. Your NinjaTrader Account Dashboard

  • The cloud-based Symbology Display Style preference in your NinjaTrader Account Dashboard applies across Web, Mobile and Desktop.

A preference selected in the Account Dashboard overrides the Desktop setting. Set it to Numeric when using AFT8.

2. Your local NinjaTrader Desktop settings

  • A recent NinjaTrader installation or update may also leave your local settings different from the configuration you previously used.

In NinjaTrader Desktop:

  1. Open Control Center → Tools → Options, or Tools → Settings, depending on your version.
  2. Select General.
  3. Set Symbology Display Style to Numeric.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Restart NinjaTrader and reopen your AFT8 workspace.

If the format changes back, recheck the Account Dashboard preference.

For screenshots and detailed instructions, see:

After a NinjaTrader update, repeat your AFT8 setup checks

Installing the latest software is important, but it does not guarantee that every setting still matches your AFT8 workspace requirements.

After an installation or update, work through the AFT8 setup checklist again, including your connections, instrument contracts, session settings and trading controls.

Still not taking trades?

Submit an ATS support request with:

  • Your NinjaTrader and AFT8 versions.
  • A screenshot of your AFT8 Market Analyzer showing the instrument, Algo Entry values and Trade Manager status.
  • The signal and time at which you expected an entry.
  • Any relevant Control Center Log errors or license messages.

This helps us distinguish a license issue from an instrument-format, setup or signal-eligibility problem.

Coming update: compatibility with different contract symbol formats

We are working on an AFT8 update to handle different NinjaTrader contract symbology formats automatically. The update is designed to convert contract symbols internally to the Numeric format AFT8 uses, so instrument recognition remains compatible regardless of the selected display format.

In the meantime, please set Symbology Display Style to Numeric in your NinjaTrader Account Dashboard and Desktop settings, restart NinjaTrader, and repeat the setup checks linked above.

You do not need to wait for this update to address the current symbology issue. Use Numeric now, then verify that Algo Entry values and Trade Manager status appear correctly and test operation in simulation. If entries still are not being taken, follow the troubleshooting guide or submit a support request with the details listed above.

ATS Restarts All Self-Assisted Free Trials Following the New Launchpad and Onboarding Relaunch

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Algo Trading Systems has restarted its Self-Assisted Free Trial pathway following a major reboot and restructuring of the ATS Universal Account, Launchpad, onboarding systems and trader journey.

Eligible traders can once again create a free ATS Universal Account, complete the required onboarding stages and request an available full-feature ATS trial through their personal Launchpad.

Why ATS Temporarily Paused Self-Assisted Trials

ATS temporarily suspended new Self-Assisted Free Trials while we reviewed and rebuilt the systems surrounding account access, onboarding, product licensing, education, support and trial activation.

The pause gave ATS an opportunity to address weaknesses in the previous journey. Some traders obtained software access without completing the necessary setup, orientation, education or risk-control stages. Others did not discover the wider ATS ecosystem or understand how its products, workspaces, market intelligence and trading groups were intended to work together.

Rather than simply reopening the previous process, ATS has rebooted, reimagined and restructured the experience for the future.

The New Technology-Led ATS Journey

Trading and financial technology are becoming more dependent on automation, AI, cloud services, integrated applications and real-time information. ATS is reaching ahead to meet this transformation and help future-proof the trader journey with modern technology, structured onboarding and an expanding set of connected services.

The relaunched pathway is intended to be faster, easier, more efficient and better value. It is also less dependent on scheduled human agents, discovery meetings and human-led onboarding programs.

The new experience is built around:

  • A free ATS Universal Account
  • Email verification and secure account access
  • A personal ATS Launchpad
  • Structured self-assisted onboarding
  • ATS Freemium access for eligible account holders
  • Free Market IQ services
  • A full-feature ATS trial pathway
  • Zero to Hero education
  • The ATS AI Help Agent and knowledge base
  • ATS trading and support groups
  • VIP Mastery Trade Group Copilot

Freemium Access and the Full-Feature Trial

ATS Freemium and the full-feature trial are separate access levels.

The free ATS Universal Account can unlock eligible Freemium-level access to ATS applications, services, Market IQ and trading-group benefits.

The Self-Assisted Full-Feature Trial provides eligible traders with temporary trial access to the applicable ATS Ultimate products and benefits presented through the Launchpad. These may include Algo Futures Trader, Alpha Web Trader, Algo Signal Trader, Zero to Hero, Trade Mastery and eligible VIP Trade Group access.

The Launchpad displays the stages, requirements and benefits applicable to the individual account.

The 14-Day Trial Path

Week 1: Follow the existing Zero to Hero Stages 1–5 and finish in the VIP workspace.

Week 2: Focus on your written trade plan, use the VIP workspaces, and attend the Trade Zone when available. Work toward your trading goals in sim or demo, or in an eligible evaluation, funded simulation or live account where your ATS licence, supported connection and account-provider rules permit.

Begin in simulation while learning. The trial does not guarantee profits, payouts or evaluation success.

No Discovery Meeting Is Required

The current ATS pathway is self-assisted. New traders are not required to attend an ATS Discovery Meeting or purchase a human-led Fast Track or assisted Mastery program before requesting an available trial.

Instead, traders progress through the structured Launchpad using the supplied instructions, AI assistance, help resources, product documentation, technical support channels and ATS groups.

This allows traders to begin in their own time while giving them a clearer route through account verification, setup, onboarding, trial activation and Zero to Hero education.

How to Get Started

  1. Create a free ATS Universal Account using a supported social account or an email address and password.
  2. Verify your email address using the link in the ATS welcome email.
  3. Open your personal ATS Launchpad.
  4. Complete the required self-assisted onboarding stages.
  5. Request and confirm the available full-feature trial through the Launchpad.
  6. Follow the Zero to Hero pathway and use the available ATS applications, groups and AI-assisted resources.

No card or payment information is required to create the free ATS Universal Account.

Create Your Free ATS Universal Account

Market Intelligence from the Start

ATS Universal Account holders can also access eligible Market IQ services. Market IQ brings together market-radar analysis, financial news, cross-market intelligence and higher-timeframe technical analysis to help traders prepare before the trading session.

Learn More About ATS Market IQ

Built for the Future of Trading

ATS is continuing to evolve its products, services, AI capabilities, onboarding systems and trader resources. Our aim is to deliver a connected hybrid trading ecosystem that combines trader judgment with algorithms, automation, structured risk management and AI-assisted market intelligence.

The restored Self-Assisted Free Trial gives eligible traders an opportunity to experience this ecosystem through the newly structured ATS journey.

Explore the ATS Hybrid Trading Ecosystem

This announcement supersedes the earlier notice that all ATS Self-Assisted Free Trials had been discontinued.

ATS Restarts Monthly and Annual Product Plans

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Algo Trading Systems has restarted monthly and annual purchase options for eligible ATS products and services.

This follows a wider reboot, reimagining and restructuring of the ATS trader journey, product ecosystem, licensing systems, Universal Account, Launchpad and onboarding experience.

Monthly, Annual and One-Time Options

Depending on the selected ATS product or package, traders can now choose from available:

  • Monthly plans
  • Annual plans
  • One-Time Lifetime licenses
  • Eligible Optional Annual Maintenance or renewal plans

This gives traders greater flexibility to select an access and payment model suited to their requirements, experience, intended use and longer-term plans.

Quarterly leases are not currently advertised as a standard purchase option. The plans available for each product are displayed on the official ATS Pricing page and inside the secure ATS Universal Account checkout.

Why ATS Reconsidered Its Pricing Structure

The temporary removal of shorter-term product plans formed part of a broader review of ATS pricing, licensing, onboarding, product access and customer usage.

Customer feedback and demand showed that traders value having a genuine choice between flexible recurring access and longer-term product ownership. ATS has therefore restored monthly and annual options where they are appropriate while retaining One-Time Lifetime licensing for eligible desktop products and packages.

The result is a more flexible structure that can serve traders at different stages without forcing everyone into the same purchasing model.

A Rebooted and Future-Focused ATS

Trading technology is evolving rapidly. AI, automation, cloud applications, real-time market intelligence and integrated desktop, web and mobile services are becoming increasingly important to the modern trading workflow.

ATS is reaching ahead to prepare for this transformation. We have restructured our products and services around a more technology-led ecosystem that is designed to be faster, easier to access, more efficient and better value.

The evolving ATS model brings together:

  • Algo Futures Trader for NinjaTrader
  • Alpha Web Trader across web, desktop and mobile
  • Market IQ market intelligence
  • ATS trading and support groups
  • Zero to Hero self-assisted education
  • VIP Mastery Trade Group Copilot
  • AI-assisted help, onboarding and market analysis
  • The ATS Universal Account and personal Launchpad

This technology-led approach reduces dependence on scheduled human-led discovery meetings and assisted onboarding programs. Traders can progress through a structured self-assisted pathway using the Launchpad, AI guidance, help articles, videos, technical resources and ATS groups.

Choosing the Right Plan

Monthly plans can provide a lower initial commitment and flexible access. Annual plans can provide longer-term continuity and value. Eligible One-Time Lifetime licenses provide long-term access to the purchased desktop product version, subject to the precise terms shown for that product.

Monthly and annual plans include the applicable renewable benefits stated for the selected plan. For eligible One-Time Lifetime licenses, first-year benefits and Optional Annual Maintenance provisions are explained separately on the Pricing page.

Product features, services, group access, support levels and renewal benefits vary by plan. Customers should review the current package details before purchasing.

View Current ATS Pricing

The public Pricing page provides the latest overview of ATS products, packages and list prices. Final availability, checkout details and any eligible customer-specific options are presented through the secure ATS Universal Account.

View current ATS products, plans and pricing

Traders who have not yet created an account can begin with a free ATS Universal Account:

Get Started with ATS

This announcement supersedes the earlier statement that ATS monthly product leases had been discontinued.