NinjaTrader Automated Trading by Algo Futures Trader

hybrid algorithmic automated futures trading for prop firm traders, day & swing traders

🚀 Get Started 🔴LIVE

ATS Desktop Apps major update for all desktop apps v20250220

by

ATS Desktop Apps is an update for all desktop applications as it moves from cloud-based ClickOnce deployment to local installation. This applies to:

  • AFT-Desktop
  • AWT-Desktop
  • NT-BootStrapper

AFT8 for NinjaTrader now communicates with these apps on a locally installed basis instead of cloud launch and run, which provides a far better experience. Going forward, we will be updating to the latest Windows UI technology ahead of any future NinjaTrader desktop move from WPF to WinUI. This allows us to embrace the latest cutting-edge technology and stay ahead of the curve. New installers and updating methods will replace the now legacy WPF desktop and MSI installer technology.

ATS Desktop Apps version 2025.2.20 will fetch all the latest updates for the ATS/AFT/AWT suite of desktop trading systems and tools. The ATS Desktop Apps installer will download the following installers to your “downloads/algotradingsystems” folder:

  • Net Desktop Runtime
  • ATS.AlphaWebTrader.Desktop
  • ATS.AlgoFutureTrader.Desktop
  • ATS.AFT8.BootStrapper.Desktop
  • AFT8 for NinjaTrader 8 Desktop
  • AFT8 Settings & Workspaces 01
  • AFT8 Settings & Workspaces 02
  • ATS AlgoFuturesTrader Downloads.pdf

Each installer will be run and installed. If your system requires .NET 8.0, it will be installed, but there are caveats to look for!

.NET 8 Desktop Runtime

The ATS Desktop Apps installer will also install .NET 8.0.13, which is the latest long-term supported technology from Microsoft that we use to power the desktop apps. During installation, Windows will display a UAC warning when installing the .NET 8 package. Due to a Windows bug with MSI, this can hide the “Shield” minimized on the taskbar and can be easily missed. You will need to click to accept the installation of .NET 8, or the installers will wait and cycle until canceled, as they cannot complete until the UAC permission is received by the user or declined.

AFT8 version 2025.2.4.1 update released prior AFT8 versions expire in 7 days

by

AFT8 Version 2025.2.4.1 Update Released

Please note:

  • This is an emergency release to resolve some threading issues with the AWT API link. The loading of historical data affected some machines, but not all.
  • The AWT 150 indicator is disabled in this version.
  • License rules now enforced

Prior Version 2024.6

  • If you are still on the old version 2024.6, this version adds new functions and features and is slicker and smoother.
  • The prior version will expire on Sunday, 9th, and will auto shutdown NT8 on startup to install the new version.

More details will be released and available in the Discord group.

1) Upgrade from Your Existing Downloads

  1. Close down NinjaTrader.
  2. Go to your downloads folder: “Downloads\AlgoTradingSystems”.
  3. Locate and run the setup installer: AlgoFuturesTrader8-Installer-Setup.
  4. This will get the latest version from the cloud and install it correctly, as long as your NinjaTrader path has not changed.
  5. Start NT8 and open the workspace as usual.

2) ATS Account Downloads

3) AFT8 Update Pop-Up

  • Wait for a pop-up and click install.

Any Issues? Please Contact Us at the Help Desk!

Subscription Upgrades!

  • Buy Now, Pay Later: ATS works with Affirm and Klarna, offering interest-free installment payment plans—available on annual and one-time lifetime licenses.
  • Limited Slots Available: Subscribers affected are invited to upgrade and get a discounted slot to become a VIP Full Member.

Trader Success Team!
To get more information on pricing and payment methods, simply book a FREE pricing discovery meeting with Trader Success VIP with no obligation to purchase!
👉 TO Book Your Spot CLICK HERE!

AFT8 pending update version 202501 to enforce license and usage rules

by

Pending AFT8 Update: Version 202501

The highly anticipated AFT8 update, version 202501, is set to enforce licensing rules first announced in October/November 2024. This update ensures a seamless and secure experience for all users while enhancing the platform’s capabilities. ETA: Last week of January/first week of February!

AFT Remains Free for Simulated Trading

  • AFT is 100% free forever for simulated trading, NT Demo, replay, back-testing, and forward testing for all futures.
  • FREEMIUM: No catches, no time limits, and global sim mode will remain enabled for bars and indicators.

Licensing for Advanced Features and Live Trading

While AFT remains free for simulation, specific features will require a full license:

  • Advanced Features: Requires a full license.
  • Prop Firm Evaluation: Requires a full license.
  • Prop Firm Live Trading: Requires a full license.
  • Brokerage Live Trading: Requires a full license.

New Requirement: AFT Desktop

To enhance security and usability, AFT8 will require the AFT Desktop application to be installed. This step helps:

  • Sync licenses and unlock advanced features.
  • Protect against hacking and piracy from other vendors within the NT ecosystem.
  • Provide smoother updates for workspaces and future AFT versions.

Prior AFT8 Versions Cessation

Upgrade will be optional for those traders who wish to continue with AFT8. All prior versions will cease to work and self-uninstall after a grace period of 1 week!

Licensing Learn More

For full details on the licensing changes, please visit the following link:

  1. AFT Licensing: Live Trading vs. Free Sim Trading

EXCLUSIVE FREEMIUM UPGRADES via TRADER SUCCESS TEAM

Upgrading is optional to a paid subscription. Those traders who have enjoyed using AFT free with full features on sim/demo will need to upgrade to a subscription or one-time payment to continue to access the advanced algo features or to use AFT on prop eval/prop live and brokerage live accounts.

Traders who wish to upgrade from Freemium can receive a tailor-made exclusive trading package and deal to suit their budget and trading goals from the Trader Success Team. Book a meeting here:

Subscription Upgrades!

  • Buy Now Pay Later: ATS works with Affirm and Klarna, offering interest-free installment payment plans—available on annual one-time and one-time lifetime licenses.
  • Limited Slots Available: Subscribers affected are invited to upgrade and get a discounted slot to become a VIP Full Member.

Trader Success Team!
To get more information on pricing and payment methods, simply book a FREE pricing discovery meeting with Trader Success VIP with no obligation to purchase!
👉 TO Book Your Spot CLICK HERE!

Thank you for your continued support as we improve AFT to deliver the best trading experience possible!

Warm regards,
The ATS Team

Winning Attitudes vs Losing Aptitudes

by

Winning Attitudes:

Minds wide open! Start a systematic winning approach, get a routine, and make it a habit—the habit will make you or break you!

  • Receptiveness and Discipline: Successful traders are like sponges, absorbing knowledge and following a process. They understand the value of step-by-step learning and repetition, which builds a solid foundation for trading.
  • Documentation and Reflection: Keeping records (screenshots, market context, higher time frames, intra-day cycles, entry/exits, trade notes, journals) is vital. This allows for review, analysis, and improvement over time. It’s like having a feedback loop for your trading.
  • Action-Oriented: They emphasize taking action, even in a simulated environment. This builds confidence and experience. Analysis paralysis is a common pitfall, and these traders avoid it.
  • Progressive Learning: They understand that trading is a journey, not a destination. They focus on continuous improvement and expanding their knowledge gradually.
  • Openness to New Approaches: They are willing to explore hybrid methods and incorporate techniques like our Zero to Hero Trader Program and utilize NLP to enhance their trading performance.

Losing Aptitudes:

System jumping, grail seeking, closed mind, lost wanting help to get help, self-entitlement or inherent laziness and impatience “needing”

  • Impatience and Resistance: Traders who struggle often resist structure and process. They want shortcuts and instant gratification.
  • Information Overload: Seeking the “magic formula” or demanding PDFs of all settings can signify wanting answers without putting in the work.
  • Lack of Foundation: Jumping into live trading without understanding the basics is a recipe for disaster. It’s like building a house on sand.
  • Emotional Trading: Fear, greed, and recency bias (overemphasizing recent events) drive impulsive decisions, leading to losses.
  • Closed-Mindedness: Dismissing new ideas or approaches can limit their growth potential.
  • Inability to Self-Assist: Self-entitlement or sheer laziness leads to questions like, “What is the news? How do I find an answer?” instead of seeking solutions independently.

Your Call to Action:

“If you want to master trading for free with hybrid methods—and experience the life-changing and trader-changing success that trading and NLP can bring—attend our Zero to Hero Trader Program!”

We throw you the rope, but you must grab it…

  • This is exclusively for winning-mindset traders or those who want to transition from losing to winning with an open mind!
  • There is no secret; the cost of success is time, effort, and focus.
  • Leverage our trading tools for minimum drawdown, least emotion, and maximum profit.

Zero to Hero Trading Program

by

FREE Trading Zero to Hero

Progress through 5 stages of turnkey workspaces to build mastery through 5 structured stages. 1 day for each stage 1 to 5, with live market insights and AI Copilot support, ATS Help bot, and support group interaction. Stage 5 allows focus for sim/eval trading and advances to prop or live hybrid futures trading.

  • ✨VIP Group: NYSE Session live market Copilot
  • ✅Stage 1: AFT Trade signals + automated exits
  • ✅Stage 2: AFT Hybrid auto trades + auto exits
  • ✅Stage 3: AFT Multi Time Frame + hybrid trading
  • ✅Stage 4: AlphaWebTrader + AFT MTF hybrid trade
  • 🏆Stage 5: VIP trading for evaluation, prop or live
  • 🏁End of Trial:  Continue with VIP, evaluation, or live hybrid trading

Zero to Hero Trading Stages

  1. Stage 1 – Manual Trade Entry & Automated Trade Management
  2. Stage 2 – Hybrid Automated Trade Entry & Automated Trade Management
  3. Stage 3 – Hybrid Trading & Multi-Timeframe (MTF)
    • Day 3
    • 👉 Download Turnkey Workspace 3
    • Turnkey Workspace 3 – Hybrid algo trading with a multi-timeframe trend ladder
    • Learn core bias and trade filter concepts using algo entry and trade management for index futures
  4. Stage 4 – Hybrid Algo Trading, MTF & AWT Desktop Confirmation
    • Day 4
    • 👉 Download Turnkey Workspace 4
    • Turnkey Workspace 4 – Hybrid algo trading with AWT Web and Desktop confirmation filters
    • Learn core MTF and AWT bias filter concepts using algo entry and trade management for index futures
  5. Stage 5 – Focus on 1 Instrument for Evaluation, Prop, or Live Trading
    • Day 5
    • 👉 Download Turnkey VIP Workspaces
    • Stage 5 provides live market trading focus on a chosen instrument
    • Turnkey VIP Workspace – Trade with the full range of advanced trading features for maximum results
    • Learn NinjaBuddy Trader, MTF chart context, AWT bias, AFT trade controllers, signals, and hybrid trading workflow
    • MNQ correlated with ES is the most popular combination, but it carries higher trailing drawdown risk
    • M2K correlated with EMD and ES offers a lower-risk starting point with better drawdown insulation
Tip: Slow Down to Go Quicker

Traders can progress at their own pace, spending one day or more on each stage. Stage 1 introduces core signal concepts and trade-management controllers that provide a major edge—helping traders learn when to trade, when not to trade, how to use partial exits, and more. Winning traders build skill over time and choose the level of automation that best fits their trade plan. VIP traders often average 66%–80% automation for prop-firm trading.

All traders should begin with Stage 1 through Stage 5 in order to properly learn the system’s features in both breadth and depth.

During these stages, nothing should be changed. We do not tempt or distract traders with alternative settings optimized to someone else’s preferences. Stage 1–4 settings are intentionally vanilla and generic — a clean foundation that can later serve as a base for personal customization.

There is no “one size fits all.” Personalized optimization belongs in Stage 5 and beyond. That process can become an endless pursuit unless a workable compromise is accepted. In trading, progress comes faster through structured discipline than constant tweaking.

Stages 1–4: Learn the Framework (Do Not Change Settings)

The goal in Stages 1–4 is to build understanding and consistency:

  • Learn how the system works end-to-end
  • Understand signal concepts
  • Understand trade manager concepts
  • Learn trade controls and interactive / hybrid entry concepts
  • Understand what each control does — and why it exists
  • Manage trades using the provided structure
  • Build consistency without modifying core settings

We do not want to muddy the water by suggesting configuration changes at this stage. The turnkey workspaces are intentionally designed to teach the framework exactly as it is.

The structure is guided by over 20 years of research, development, and statistical validation of these methods. As the framework evolves, refinements may occur — but the learning path remains structured.

Stage 5: Eval / Performance / Live (Customization Becomes Appropriate)

Stage 5 is where traders may begin personalizing execution and risk parameters.

At this stage, traders should:

  • Choose a defined trade plan and instrument
  • Select a VIP Workspace
  • Use baseline defaults and manage trades interactively using the control sets
  • Adjust settings only when necessary
    • Adjust targets and stops to suit personal risk tolerance
    • Modify breakeven, trail triggers, and profit lock-in logic
    • Save adjustments as a new setting and new workspace

Trader Review Framework

by






Trader Review Framework


Trader Review

A Trader Review provides a structured forum for questions and answers, ensuring that goals and progress remain aligned. This process is vital for identifying strengths, addressing challenges, and achieving consistent improvement. Trader reviews are available for Free Trialists attending the Zero to Hero trading program.

Key Factors to Highlight

1) Trading Methodology

  • Turnkey Workspaces and Stage: Identify which ATS system and tools are being used:
    • Manual, Semi-Automated, or Fully Automated modes.
  • Diversity:
    • Session Breakout: 1–2 instruments, 2–3 trades per day.
    • Trend Scalper: 3–20 trades per day.
  • Risk Management:
    • Risk per trade: Ensure lot size aligns with 1% of capital.

2) Instruments

  • Which instruments or markets are being traded?
  • Ensure alignment with:
    • Trade Plan times.
    • Trader goals and system strengths.
  • Specialize vs. Shotgun Approach:
    • Focus on 1–2 instruments to avoid spreading too thin.
  • Context and Correlation:
    • Use instruments to correlate market movements and provide broader trade context.

3) Trading Plan Adherence

  • Is the trader consistently following their trade plan?
  • Focus on:
    • Entries and exits.
    • Execution of routine trade plans.

4) Performance Tracking

  • Are trading stats being recorded?
  • Key Metrics to Assess:
    • Profit/Loss metrics.
    • Win/Loss ratios.
    • Trade consistency and risk-reward ratios.
  • Highlight overtrading tendencies or undertrading issues.

5) Trade Documentation

  • Maintain a trade diary with:
    • Screenshots of trade entries and exits.
    • Notes on trade rationale, execution mindset, and news impact.

6) Market Diary View

  • Assess the trader’s awareness of:
    • Higher time frames for broader market context.
    • News cycles and seasonal market trends.

7) Emotional Discipline

  • Review trader behavior and mindset:
    • Overtrading, FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), and impulsive decisions.
  • Discuss steps to maintain:
    • Emotional stability and discipline under market pressure.

8) Onboarding and Routine Review

  • Confirm the trader is:
    • Correctly onboarded to the system, approach, and resources.
    • Developing and maintaining a consistent trading routine.

9) Trader Resources

  • Ensure traders are leveraging available resources:
    • ATS Discord Zero to Hero Group (Education and Guidance).
    • AST Discord Group (News and Context).
    • ATS Discord VIP Group (Advanced Support, AI Copilot, and Trade Analysis).

10) Trade Plan Goal Appraisal

  • Assess trader goals versus actual outcomes:
    • Are targets realistic, achievable, and measurable?
  • Discuss adjustments to improve performance:
    • Focus on refining trade plans and strategies as needed.

Key Insight

  • Knowing when to trade is the key!
    • Avoid unnecessary system or settings jumping.
    • Master one approach at a time to build confidence and consistency.

Conclusion

This structured Trader Review Framework ensures traders:

  • Stay on track with their goals.
  • Build discipline through routine and reflection.
  • Make measurable progress toward becoming independent, successful traders.


Help & Information

Recent Posts