NinjaTrader Automated Trading by Algo Futures Trader

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

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how did the fib grid technology and trade systems get invented?

May 12, 2024 by AFT

Daily Fib Grid Session

The proprietary Fib Grid and Range Grid technology first came to mind in 2007 when working for TCA Futures (RIP) in a trading arcade in the City of London – UK’s Wall St. It was conceived in response to a reprimand from the S&P500 desk head trader. He was fuming and publicly criticized me in front of some 120 other traders after hours in the daily retrospective. He’d seen my appalling trade via his CQG trade desk admin module, questioning why I was trading long at the top of the market, one hour out, quite near the end of the session. It was obvious, but I thought, how do you know where the top of the market is? Later that night, I envisioned the Fib Grid and Range Grid to show me. Back then, it was Excel and CQG, and here we are with NinjaTrader from 2009 to 2024. It’s still my core methodology, battle-tested in institutional, hedge fund, and retail trading.

Fib Grid Multi Time Frames
  • YSFG – Yearly Session Fib Grid
  • MSFG – Monthly Session Fib Grid
  • WSFG – Weekly Session Fib Grid
  • DSFG – Daily Session Fib Grid
Now combine this with structured price action, time, and a catalyst to provide the conditional trade setup for a high-probability move. Then use the signals/rules as the trade entry method and let the system do the rest.

Fib Grid Session Breakout Basics

Around 2008/2009, I then worked on the concept of the Fib Grid session breakout, using it to prevent my ludicrous out-of-control scalping. Up to 1200 trade operations in one day was my record, plus burnout after TCA Futures as a privateer with MFGlobal. It made my broker rich and me a 35% account loss – Emini ES trading, not small change, it hurt badly. So I stopped and later was reborn as a day/swing trader, making 1 to 3 trades per day on the DSFG. This method is used in the ATS Discord groups as a core method to teach good habits and run the trades. Fib Grid made me and saved me, thank you to the head trader.

Note: From 2015, when I traded for managed futures/futures hedge funds, I used WSFG breakouts and MSG breakouts and let that go for several weeks/months. You could get up to 100K per lot sometimes on NQ or ES FDAX, etc. So some quite serious trades have gone down, and a good lot of time too. https://algotradingsystems.net/About I guess I could follow tradition and call it the Leeson lines after my surname, as some did and still do, but to me, FibGrid has more meaning. AlgoFuturesTrader contains all the latest evolution of the FibGridTrading systems and is 100% free for sim/NT demo and prop firm evaluation trading. Enjoy & happy trading. Tom Leeson


🚀 Get Started Trading the Easy Way

Get started 100% FREE with NinjaTrader Desktop, an ATS Universal Account and unlimited access to ATS Freemium applications and trader resources. Follow the self-assisted ATS Launchpad to create and configure your account, access AFT Freemium and request an available full-feature trial. No payment card is required to get started.

1) 📊 Download and Set Up NinjaTrader Desktop

Download NinjaTrader Desktop for futures charting, real-time market data and simulated trading. Use NinjaTrader with AFT for manual discretionary, Hybrid Algo or fully automated trading across supported demo, simulation, prop-firm evaluation, funded and live-trading accounts.
📊 Download NinjaTrader

2) 🚀 Get Started 100% FREE

Create your free ATS Universal Account and follow the self-assisted Trader Launchpad to unlock unlimited ATS Freemium access, Market IQ, eligible trading-group resources, trader benefits, and available full-feature trials.
  • Unlimited Freemium Access: Use eligible ATS Freemium applications without a time limit
  • AFT Freemium: Professional indicators, bar tools, and discretionary trading on demo, sim,  prop, and live accounts
  • Self-Assisted Launchpad: Follow the guided steps to set up your account, applications, and available services
  • Full-Feature Trial: Eligible traders can request an available trial directly from their ATS Account 'Trader Launchpad'
  • No Payment Card Required: Create your account and begin with Freemium access at no cost
🚀 Get Started 100% FREE

Filed Under: AFT8, Algo Futures Trader, automated futures trading, automated futures trading systems, automated trade management, fully automated trading system, futures automated trading, NinjaTrader 8, ninjatrader automated trading, ninjatrader trading bot Tagged With: automated futures trading, automated futures trading software, automated futures trading strategies, automated futures trading system, automated futures trading systems, Automated Trading NinjaTrader, automated trading with ninjatrader, best automated futures trading software, Fib Grid, fully automated trading system, futures algo trading, futures algorithmic trading, futures automated trading, futures trading algorithms, ninjatrader algorithmic trading, ninjatrader automated trading, ninjatrader automated trading systems, ninjatrader trading bot, ninjatrader trading systems, session breakout, Session Fib Grid

ninjatrader automated trading fully automatic trade entry mode with Algo Futures Trader

May 10, 2024 by AFT

ninjatrader automated trading fully automatic
  • Unlock AFT Free Trading System Downloads
  • Install NinjaTrader 8 (NT8)
  • Install AlgoFuturesTrader (AFT8)
  • Install AFT Workspaces 2 or above
    • Session Breakout
    • Trend Scalper
  • Start NT8, log in, and connect
  • Set the desired account to trade in the AFT Controllers
  • Algo Overview for Algo Entry, Algo Trade Manager Controllers
  • Set AFT Algo Entry Controller to place trades automatically
  • AFT Trade Manager will automatically place the exits
  • AFT Video Resources
    • Video 4
    • Video 5
Session Breakout Workspace 2 NinjaTrader automated trading fully automatic mode

NinjaTrader automated trading fully automatic mode or semi-automatic and manual trade entry via the algo entry controller.

Related Links
  • Get Started with AFT
  • AFT Downloads
  • AFT Videos
  • Join AFT Trading Group
  • Get Funded with AFT

🚀 Get Started Trading the Easy Way

Get started 100% FREE with NinjaTrader Desktop, an ATS Universal Account and unlimited access to ATS Freemium applications and trader resources. Follow the self-assisted ATS Launchpad to create and configure your account, access AFT Freemium and request an available full-feature trial. No payment card is required to get started.

1) 📊 Download and Set Up NinjaTrader Desktop

Download NinjaTrader Desktop for futures charting, real-time market data and simulated trading. Use NinjaTrader with AFT for manual discretionary, Hybrid Algo or fully automated trading across supported demo, simulation, prop-firm evaluation, funded and live-trading accounts.
📊 Download NinjaTrader

2) 🚀 Get Started 100% FREE

Create your free ATS Universal Account and follow the self-assisted Trader Launchpad to unlock unlimited ATS Freemium access, Market IQ, eligible trading-group resources, trader benefits, and available full-feature trials.
  • Unlimited Freemium Access: Use eligible ATS Freemium applications without a time limit
  • AFT Freemium: Professional indicators, bar tools, and discretionary trading on demo, sim,  prop, and live accounts
  • Self-Assisted Launchpad: Follow the guided steps to set up your account, applications, and available services
  • Full-Feature Trial: Eligible traders can request an available trial directly from their ATS Account 'Trader Launchpad'
  • No Payment Card Required: Create your account and begin with Freemium access at no cost
🚀 Get Started 100% FREE

Filed Under: AFT8, Algo Futures Trader, automated futures trading, automated futures trading systems, automated trade entry, automated trade management, best automated futures trading software, Micro EMini Equity Futures, NinjaTrader 8, ninjatrader automated trading systems Tagged With: automated futures trading, automated futures trading software, automated futures trading strategies, automated futures trading system, automated futures trading systems, Automated Trading NinjaTrader, automated trading with ninjatrader, best automated futures trading software, fully automated trading system, futures algo trading, futures algorithmic trading, futures automated trading, futures trading algorithms, ninjatrader algorithmic trading, ninjatrader automated trading, ninjatrader automated trading systems, ninjatrader trading bot, ninjatrader trading systems

Turnkey settings and workspaces for hybrid trading and automated trading

April 1, 2024 by AFT

AFT Workspace settings sync -turnkey workspaces and VIP automated trading system baselinesAFT Workspace settings sync - turnkey workspaces and VIP automated trading system baselines Workspace and Settings Sync

For traders logged into AFT Desktop, workspaces will download to the PC automatically with any changes or rolled-over contracts, including:

  1. Turnkey Workspaces
    1. Any downloaded workspace is refreshed.
    2. Existing Workspaces for each stage of Zero to Hero.
  2. VIP Workspaces
    1. New and existing VIP settings.
    2. Downloaded and available.
    3. Details in the Discord VIP sections.
Hybrid Trading Turnkey Workspaces

ATS provides and supports turnkey workspaces for hybrid trading. Traders elect the level of automation in attendance on the day to suit their trade plan and approach. Traders use the workspaces released in the “Zero to Hero” stages within Discord to learn and use features progressively over time, avoiding information overload.

Baseline Automated Workspaces

VIP members get access to workspaces used to run baseline tests to show different premises and features and the natural phase of market winning and drawdown. These take all trades and are not optimized for trading. Baselines are to compare back to for your variants/settings or to guide hybrid trading. A trader could optimize and tweak the supplied settings to suit their trading preference of style and risk.

Flexible Levels of Automation

The AFT system can suit day, swing, and intermediate trading over one day or many months, maintaining context and control even after a reboot and restart, with 100% unattended execution and trade management. However, the vast majority of traders use the system from 50% to 80% automation. Note: In fund trading with a $5 million account, 100% fully automated trading was engaged for a client CPC with the forerunner of the AFT system today. Even that was controlled for news and rollovers, so 90% automation was feasible/sensible. This is also a statistic used by Ray Dalio for their Alpha trading systems.

Classic Automated Trading Systems versus AFT Hybrid Trading Systems

The reason 95% fail at automated trading is they do not have any control over the system—100% classic full automation—switch on or switch off. The majority of systems worked that way until ATS developers pioneered hybrid automated trading in 2009 for NinjaTrader. Old school strategies are like sitting in the back of a rally car with no controls, steering, or brakes, no driver going over the Alps in snow and shine. The sensible majority exit the vehicle at the first series of bumps, or the bold stay in the whole way and take a full drawdown and then run out of capital. If the market phase was suitable for the system, then the remaining few percent might make it through for a quarter or a year. All systems will draw down at some point as the market phases change—the question is when the wall is hit and how long it lasts.

AFT Hybrid trading lets you control and steer past this without total switch off or on. It allows super fine control in the live market, avoidance of price risks and the doldrums, and continuation for the high probability of winning runs after the losing runs. AFT provides full control and transparency of the system, allowing the trader to use it in the way that is best for them.

What are the best settings?

This is a guessing game or a gamble. Never take it for granted that someone’s subjective best settings work for you. Only by hands-on experience and thousands of hours of chart time, stats, testing, and practice will the “best settings” and trade plan be revealed for each trader, custom-fitted to suit them. Turnkey workspaces and baseline settings make this task easier and are a base to start from and to measure back to. Some traders run with the settings provided in the turnkey workspaces and do okay, some even say great! But note that hybrid mode interaction is employed over the top to suit the trader—not something that is qualitatively repeatable by a pure robot. We cannot say if that will be the case for you.


🚀 Get Started Trading the Easy Way

Get started 100% FREE with NinjaTrader Desktop, an ATS Universal Account and unlimited access to ATS Freemium applications and trader resources. Follow the self-assisted ATS Launchpad to create and configure your account, access AFT Freemium and request an available full-feature trial. No payment card is required to get started.

1) 📊 Download and Set Up NinjaTrader Desktop

Download NinjaTrader Desktop for futures charting, real-time market data and simulated trading. Use NinjaTrader with AFT for manual discretionary, Hybrid Algo or fully automated trading across supported demo, simulation, prop-firm evaluation, funded and live-trading accounts.
📊 Download NinjaTrader

2) 🚀 Get Started 100% FREE

Create your free ATS Universal Account and follow the self-assisted Trader Launchpad to unlock unlimited ATS Freemium access, Market IQ, eligible trading-group resources, trader benefits, and available full-feature trials.
  • Unlimited Freemium Access: Use eligible ATS Freemium applications without a time limit
  • AFT Freemium: Professional indicators, bar tools, and discretionary trading on demo, sim,  prop, and live accounts
  • Self-Assisted Launchpad: Follow the guided steps to set up your account, applications, and available services
  • Full-Feature Trial: Eligible traders can request an available trial directly from their ATS Account 'Trader Launchpad'
  • No Payment Card Required: Create your account and begin with Freemium access at no cost
🚀 Get Started 100% FREE

Filed Under: AFT8, Algo Futures Trader, ATS Trading Community, automated trade entry, automated trade management, best automated futures trading software, fully automated trading system, futures automated trading, Micro EMini Equity Futures, NinjaTrader 8, ninjatrader algorithmic trading, ninjatrader automated trading, ninjatrader automated trading systems Tagged With: automated futures trading, automated futures trading software, automated futures trading strategies, automated futures trading system, automated futures trading systems, Automated Trading NinjaTrader, automated trading with ninjatrader, best automated futures trading software, fully automated trading system, futures algo trading, futures algorithmic trading, futures automated trading, futures trading algorithms, ninjatrader algorithmic trading, ninjatrader automated trading, ninjatrader automated trading systems, ninjatrader trading bot, ninjatrader trading systems, NT8, Turnkey Trading Systems

create your own rules in your own NinjaTrader scripts and simply inject them into the algo trade entry module

March 17, 2024 by AFT

Custom user algos inject signals into aft trad entry module

AFT now supports custom Ninja scripts that you can create to inject signals into the AFT8 Algo Entry system. Code examples are available in the AFT Discord dev forum. Users need to sign up for an ATS universal account, log in, and link their Discord account to gain access. This allows the AFT Desktop to download the latest patch when NinjaTrader 8 is closed. It makes it very easy to code your own rules in your NT Scripts indicator, market column, or strategy, and then inject the signal into AFT8.

AFT8 will execute the signal if your filters and controller settings allow it. The AFT trade management module will then take over, providing the best trading system features, all off the shelf, 100% free for sim, demo, replay, and prop firm evaluation trading. Take it to the next level!


Custom user algos inject signals into AFT trade entry module

Custom user trading system rules allow you to inject signals into the AFT trade entry module from a simple indicator on a chart, and all the rest is taken care of.


ATS Discord Group Developers

ATS Discord Group Developers Forum with code samples and interactive support from the actual developer and creator!

Get Started Here

Filed Under: AFT8, Algo Futures Trader, automated trade management, automated trading ninjatrader, fully automated trading system, NinjaTrader 8, ninjatrader algorithmic trading, ninjatrader automated trading systems Tagged With: automated futures trading, automated futures trading software, automated futures trading strategies, automated futures trading system, automated futures trading systems, Automated Trading NinjaTrader, automated trading with ninjatrader, best automated futures trading software, fully automated trading system, futures algo trading, futures algorithmic trading, futures automated trading, futures trading algorithms, ninjatrader algorithmic trading, ninjatrader automated trading, ninjatrader automated trading systems, ninjatrader trading bot, ninjatrader trading systems

AFT8 version 2024 update released

February 19, 2024 by AFT

Algo Futures Trader v8 2024
Algo Futures Trader v8 2024
Algo Futures Trader v8 2024 – fully automated trading mode baselines for VIP members

AFT8 version 2024 is now released and ready for download or update from the popup notices.

AFT8-updater
AFT8-updater popup can be used to install.

Download AFT8

This is the most advanced version yet, many months in the making and 1000+ hours in development since the last version in November 2023, with iterative polishing of features and incremental release of new features. We have also added features and fixes reported from the ATS Discord Group and are delighted with the feedback and organic evolution of the product.

AutoSync Turnkey Workspaces

Turnkey Workspaces are polished and ready for installation and will stay fresh and up to date with automatic sync from the cloud to NinjaTrader 8 via the AFT.Desktop App.

Trade Plan Goals (TPG)

The latest feature, “Trading Plan Goals (TPG) filter,” is available in simulation and live for valid subscribers with lifetime licenses older than one year. An optional renewal will be required to unlock and access the AFT8 advanced features. As this is brand new, we instruct traders to try it only in simulation mode to learn and provide feedback via the forum for any assistance, Q&A, issues, or caveats. Inline Automatic % and Cash win and loss limits rules for winning and losing signals, long or short per session and per week, are ideal for prop firm trading to avoid breaking the rules!

Signal Execution Filter (f2)

This feature has been built out with inline controls to allow micro-management of trading systems rules for winning and losing signals, long or short per session and week.

Algo Entry and Algo Trade Manager Info View

Realtime information from the state and activity of each algo asset stream is displayed on the controller info bar inline to allow easy transparency of the mode of operation and function of algo entry and trade manager.

Proprietary Bars/Super Bars

ATS is the inventor of Adaptive Prop Bars and now Bad Tick Proof Super Bars. NinjaTrader occasionally suffers from bad tick data from the data brokerage connection, which can skew the charts.

  • AFT bars detect and remove the bad ticks, so you do not have to delete and reset your data. Our bars will continue without the erroneous data, with no spike gaps or skew.
  • NT can also send data out of hours on a Saturday and try to display it on a chart, but our bars use the correct trading hours, filtering out invalid hours data.
  • AFT Super bars do not lag like NT8 bars, wasting CPU cycles testing for trading hours. Data flows 24/7 within the correct trading exchange hours, available for all time-based bars.
  • AFT Adaptive bars work off various formulas to optimize the bars to trading phase. One size fits all instrument modes: scalp, day trade, and swing settings, also with tick and hours filters.

NinjaTrader 8 Advanced Execution API Methods

NinjaTrader 8 tends to get swamped on low to medium-performance computers/servers and slow disks (non-NVME) with lots of order data, becoming sluggish and even requiring a restart when trading more than the average day trader would. Generally, when using trade copiers and strategies, some are worse than others, and they all eventually foul up NT8. One way to cope with this is to reset the database every week and delete the logs and trade files to keep it lean and mean. NT8 was not designed for 20 prop firm accounts mirrored in parallel; it was designed for a scalper doing a few trades here and there. However, AFT8 has been tested with 500 algos in parallel on NT8 and works 100% fine with no problems over multiple 6 months+ of operation to large sizes of data without a glitch in hedge fund trading simulation and live. AFT8 is not the problem, nor is NinjaTrader 8; it is the tools people use on it, the prop firm craze, and trade copiers, and the knowledge or lack thereof. The beauty of NT8 is that it allows us access to the API underlying accounts and connections. NinjaTrader 8 has superb trading technology underlying its GUI. AFT8 plugs into this layer and uses direct method access into the API layers of the account and connection directly, using methods that bypass all the overhead of strategies, trade copiers, and even the best run-of-the-mill tools from the NT ecosystem. The result is that this avoids the typical foul-ups inside NT8. AFT8 uses advanced execution and asynchronous threading methods to avoid conflict and thread locks inside NT8, usually requiring a restart and even jammed-up positions that can only be resolved by using the NinjaTrader web, which we advise always to have on alongside NT8 in case of net or platform failure. We also recommend restarting NT8 every day to get data and start afresh for optimal trading and data.

AFT8 Optional Renewals

AFT8 is now older than one year, and some traders will need to renew to get the latest and greatest features. The AFT core features will still function for all in simulation and partial non-advanced features for live trading modes, but advanced modes and new features will not. This allows a win-win situation so traders get the best, and we can keep the lights on and deliver quality to keep increasing your edge. It is also optional, so AFT will still work, but to get the full gamut of advanced and new features, a renewal can be purchased when it suits. For full details, visit the main ATS website section Optional Annual Renewal.

Filed Under: Algo Futures Trader, automated trade management, automated trading ninjatrader, fully automated trading system, NinjaTrader 8, ninjatrader automated trading, ninjatrader trading bot Tagged With: AFT8 Release, AFT8 update, aft8release, AFT8Update, automated futures trading, automated futures trading software, automated futures trading strategies, automated futures trading system, automated futures trading systems, Automated Trading NinjaTrader, automated trading with ninjatrader, best automated futures trading software, fully automated trading system, futures algo trading, futures algorithmic trading, futures automated trading, futures trading algorithms, ninjatrader algorithmic trading, ninjatrader automated trading, ninjatrader automated trading systems, ninjatrader trading bot, ninjatrader trading systems, Release, Updates

Secret to Day trading futures success

October 19, 2021 by AFT

Algo futures trading us equity indices signals

The Secret to Day Trading Futures Success

Successful futures trading is not based on a secret indicator, guaranteed strategy, or fully automated profit machine. It comes from combining a proven trading process, disciplined risk management, high-quality market information, hybrid automation, deliberate practice, and continuous improvement.

A Complete Approach to Futures Trading

Algo Futures Trader helps traders develop a complete 360-degree approach using the AFT desktop trading platform, AlphaWebTrader market intelligence, turnkey trading workspaces, AI-assisted commentary, structured education, trader support, and optional one-to-one Trade Mastery.

The ATS hybrid trading method combines human market awareness with automated execution and trade management. Traders assess the market, establish a long or short bias, select acceptable signals, and use automation to assist with entry, stop-loss placement, profit targets, trailing, scaling, and exits.

This approach keeps the trader responsible for every trading decision while using technology to improve consistency, execution speed, risk control, and emotional discipline.

Signals Alone Are Not the Trading Plan

A trading signal should be considered together with external market filters and predefined risk rules. These filters help traders decide whether market conditions support a long trade, a short trade, or no trade at all.

Common ATS market filters may include:

  • Economic news announcements and scheduled market events
  • Overnight price action and session opening gaps
  • Higher-time-frame trend direction and important price levels
  • Relative strength and correlation across the major equity indices
  • Market volatility, momentum, volume, and trading range
  • Daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal market cycles
  • AlphaBias, GapBias, TrendOmeter, market signals, and AI-assisted commentary

The objective is not to predict every market move. The objective is to wait for suitable conditions, take qualified trades, control the risk, and execute the same process consistently.

The Five-Step NYSE Session Breakout Process

  1. Prepare before the market opens. Be at your trading desk before the 8:30 AM CT equity-index futures session open. Check the economic calendar, major news events, overnight market activity, and your platform connections.
  2. Review the four primary US equity indices. Compare the E-mini or Micro E-mini S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, Dow, and Russell markets. Identify overnight direction, opening gaps, relative strength, and whether the indices are correlated or mixed.
  3. Establish a preliminary market bias. Use tools such as GapBias, higher-time-frame analysis, key levels, news risk, and session structure to determine whether conditions favor long trades, short trades, or patience.
  4. Allow the market to confirm direction. Review AlphaBias, correlation, price action, and ATS trading signals after the open. Use the AFT controls for manual, semi-automatic, or hybrid automated execution only when the signal and filters agree with your trading plan.
  5. Trade selectively and finish on schedule. Focus on the primary session from approximately 8:30 AM to 11:00 or 11:30 AM CT. One to three qualified trades may be sufficient. Stop trading when your daily loss limit, profit objective, maximum number of trades, or session end time is reached.

What Successful ATS Traders Do Differently

  • They learn in simulation first. They practise until they can follow the process consistently before considering prop-firm evaluations or personal live capital.
  • They manage the drawdown allowance. They understand that the usable account is the permitted drawdown, not the advertised account size.
  • They use small position sizes. They begin with Micro futures and avoid increasing size until their statistics and discipline justify it.
  • They combine signals with filters. They do not automatically trade every signal or chase a move because of fear of missing out.
  • They accept normal losing cycles. They judge performance over a meaningful series of trades rather than one trade, one day, or one week.
  • They journal and review. They record entries, exits, screenshots, risk, market conditions, mistakes, and lessons for continuous improvement.
  • They remain responsible for every trade. Automation assists execution and management, but it does not replace supervision, judgment, or risk control.

The ATS Hybrid Trading Toolkit

  • Algo Futures Trader for NinjaTrader 8: Hybrid trade entry, automated trade management, advanced indicators, bars, signals, risk controls, and turnkey futures trading workspaces.
  • AlphaWebTrader: Web, mobile, and desktop market intelligence for futures, indices, ETFs, and leading US stocks.
  • Economic News Alerts: Monitor scheduled announcements that can increase volatility and trading risk.
  • AlphaBias Trend Correlation: Compare trend direction and relative strength across related markets.
  • TrendOmeter: Evaluate market trend alignment and correlation.
  • Session GapBias: Analyze overnight and session-opening gaps as part of the directional bias process.
  • Futures Trading Signals: Review selected energy and equity-index futures signals together with your external filters.
  • ATS Trading Groups: Access trader support, market commentary, AI Group Copilot assistance, educational discussions, and the ATS community according to your package.
AlphaWebTrader market intelligence and day trading tools
AlphaWebTrader provides market intelligence, directional filters, news awareness, correlation tools, and trading signals.
Algo futures trading US equity index signals with session gap filters
ATS signals should be evaluated together with market filters, risk limits, and a documented trading plan.

A Structured Path to Trading Consistency

ATS no longer relies on an unassisted free-trial model. New traders begin with a free Discovery Meeting to discuss their experience, goals, trading schedule, technology preferences, account plans, and suitability for the ATS hybrid trading method.

Approved traders can choose the Fast Track Zero-to-Hero program with assisted setup, onboarding, structured Stages 1–5 training, and 30-day access to the ATS trading ecosystem. Traders seeking extended guidance can select a complete Trade Mastery package with three months of VIP one-to-one assistance, trade reviews, statistics, journaling, risk planning, and a structured path toward prop-firm payouts or live-account results.

The objective is to help serious traders develop a repeatable process and work toward recovering the cost of their trading tools through legitimate trading performance. Results depend on the trader, market conditions, risk management, practice, discipline, and continued execution of the process.

📅 Book a Free ATS Discovery Meeting ⚡ Explore Fast Track and Trade Mastery

The Real Secret to Day Trading Futures Success

The real secret is doing the ordinary things exceptionally well: prepare before the session, understand the market context, wait for qualified signals, use the smallest practical risk, supervise the automation, follow the trading plan, stop when the session is finished, and review every result without emotion.

Signals plus filters plus risk control plus disciplined repetition create the foundation for long-term trading development.

Futures Trading Risk Warning

Futures and leveraged trading involve substantial risk and are not suitable for every trader. Simulation, hypothetical, and past results do not guarantee future performance. Prop-firm rules, platform restrictions, commissions, slippage, trailing drawdown, and market volatility can materially affect results. Never trade funds you cannot afford to lose, and never assume that software, automation, education, or coaching guarantees profits or funding payouts.

Trading & Risk 101

Trading is simple to understand but difficult to master. Do not rush. Consistent trading requires practice, discipline, emotional control, risk management and the ability to remain stoic through both winning and losing cycles.

Five Essential Trading Tips

  1. Avoid Impatience and FOMO: Never rush into live-money trading because you fear missing an opportunity. Build a repeatable routine and demonstrate consistent simulator results across different market conditions before deciding whether to attempt a prop-firm evaluation or trade a funded or personal live account.
  2. Protect Your Trading Capital: Learn and practise in simulation first. A prop-firm evaluation may provide an alternative route to funded trading, but evaluation fees, drawdown limits, consistency rules, prohibited practices and payout conditions still create genuine financial risk.
  3. Start with Nano Futures/Micro Futures: Begin with the smallest practical position size, commonly one Micro futures contract. Increase size only when your measured results, discipline, account limits and written trade plan justify it.
  4. Control Risk on Every Trade: Define the maximum acceptable loss before entering. Use protective stops, conservative position sizing, daily loss limits and a risk level that allows you to withstand normal losing streaks without creating unacceptable financial or emotional pressure.
  5. Trade a Written Plan: Do not chase the market, revenge trade or overtrade. Follow a defined setup, record every trade, review your statistics and judge performance over a meaningful series of trades rather than one winning or losing result.

Learn and Practise Before Risking Trading Capital

Use NinjaTrader simulation, market replay, backtesting and supported demo environments to practise execution and become familiar with the ATS trading tools.

Create your free ATS Universal Account and follow the self-assisted Trader Launchpad. Use eligible AFT Freemium applications, turnkey workspaces, structured Zero-to-Hero education, AI-assisted guidance, the ATS Help Bot, knowledge-base resources, Market IQ and trading groups to develop your trading process at your own pace.

Eligible traders can also request an available full-feature ATS trial through their personal Trader Launchpad. Training, software, automation and AI-assisted tools cannot guarantee profits, evaluation success, funding or payouts. Their purpose is to help you develop a repeatable process, manage risk, reduce avoidable mistakes and make better-informed trading decisions.

Expect Winning and Losing Cycles

Market conditions continually change. Trending, ranging, volatile, quiet, news-driven and seasonal conditions can each produce different results. A trader who begins during a favourable period may develop recency bias and incorrectly assume that trading will always feel easy.

A difficult cycle can include consecutive losing trades, losing sessions, drawdowns and occasionally losing weeks. Equally, one strong session or short winning sequence does not prove that a method will continue performing under different conditions.

Follow your predefined risk limits during both favourable and unfavourable periods. Stop trading when a daily loss limit, account rule or safety threshold is reached. Never continue trading simply to recover a loss or because you believe a winning cycle must be due.

There Are No Shortcuts

Build a routine, practise consistently, maintain accurate statistics, review your mistakes and allow enough time to experience different market conditions. Consider progressing beyond simulation only when your execution, risk control, discipline and results across a meaningful period demonstrate that you are ready.

Whether you use a simulator, prop-firm evaluation, funded account or personal live account, every decision and trade remains your responsibility. Use only risk capital you can afford to lose, understand all applicable account rules and never assume that past, hypothetical or simulated performance guarantees future results.


Get Started Day Trading Futures 100% FREE with AFT & NinjaTrader

Start with the NinjaTrader desktop platform, create your free ATS Universal Account and follow the self-assisted Trader Launchpad to unlock AFT Freemium, Market IQ, eligible trader resources and available full-feature trials. No payment card is required to get started. Begin with simulation, replay or a supported demo account while you learn the platform, explore the supplied turnkey workspaces and develop a structured trading routine. Progress toward prop-firm evaluations, funded accounts or personal live trading only when your experience, performance and risk control demonstrate that you are ready.

Plug and Trade Turnkey Futures Trading Systems

Install, connect and begin practising with ready-to-use ATS settings and workspaces for Session Open Breakout, trend reversal, pullback continuation, momentum and Hybrid Algo futures trading. Start NinjaTrader, connect to a supported futures data feed, open an ATS workspace and practise trading Micro or E-mini futures using trader-controlled entry, automated trade management, risk-management and exit tools available with the applicable AFT access level.

Download the NinjaTrader desktop trading platform and explore demo data

1. Download the NinjaTrader Desktop Trading Platform

NinjaTrader provides advanced charting, market analysis, strategy development, backtesting, market replay and simulated trading. Download NinjaTrader Desktop and connect to a supported demo, simulation, prop-firm or live futures account. Download NinjaTrader & Explore Demo Data

Get started free with the ATS Universal Account and AFT Freemium

2. Create Your ATS Universal Account 100% FREE

Create your free ATS Universal Account using a supported social account or a verified email address and password. No payment card or purchase is required. Your Universal Account provides access to your personal Trader Launchpad and unlocks Freemium-level access to eligible ATS applications and trader resources, including AFT Freemium and free Market IQ services. Get Started with ATS 100% FREE

3. Follow Your Self-Assisted Trader Launchpad

Sign in and follow the guided Trader Launchpad to verify and configure your account, review the onboarding information, access your Freemium applications and connect with the ATS products and services available to you. Eligible traders can request an available full-feature trial directly through their personal Launchpad. The self-assisted pathway brings together structured Zero-to-Hero education, turnkey workspaces, AI-assisted guidance, the ATS Help Bot, knowledge-base resources, Market IQ, trading groups and the VIP Mastery Trade Group Copilot. Begin with AFT Freemium and upgrade to Essentials, Premium, Ultimate or a complete ATS Trading Package only when you decide that you need additional instruments, trade-management features or Hybrid Algo and automated-trading capabilities. Open the Trader Launchpad & Get Started FREE

Training & Help Resources

Learn and progress at your own pace using the self-assisted Trader Launchpad, structured Zero-to-Hero education, AI-assisted help, knowledge-base articles, video guides, technical support and ATS trading groups.

Open the self-assisted ATS Trader Launchpad

Trader Launchpad

Ask the ATS AI Help Bot

AI Help Bot

Search the ATS knowledge base and help guides

Knowledge Base

Watch AlgoFuturesTrader installation and training videos

Video Guides

Explore ATS futures trading groups and Trade Zone resources

Trading Groups & Trade Zone

Access the ATS VIP Mastery Trade Group Copilot

VIP Mastery Trade Group Copilot

Submit an ATS account, licensing or technical support request

Technical Support

Read AlgoFuturesTrader product news, guides and updates

AFT Blog

Filed Under: Algo Futures Trader, Alpha Web Trader, ATS Trading Community Tagged With: AFT7, AFT8, Algo Trading Futures, Automated Trading NinjaTrader, day trading futures, day trading micro futures, Emini Futures, Micro E-Mini Equity Index Futures, NinjaTrader 8

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Ninja Futures Trading
Algo Futures Trader Copyright Algo Trading Systems© 2026 ·
AlgoFuturesTrader.com is owned & operated by Algo Trading Systems LLC. By using this website or products & services, you are bound by our Terms & subject to US legal jurisdiction only. Errors & omissions excluded.
AFT made in England, powered by MicroTrends NinjaTrader development

Disclaimer: Trading & investment carry a high level of risk. AlgoFuturesTrader does not make recommendations for buying or selling any financial instruments, nor do we offer trading or investment advice. We are a software company, and we only provide educational information on ways to use our sophisticated Algo Futures trading tools. It is up to our customers & readers to make their own trading & investment decisions, or consult with a registered investment advisor.

Risk Disclosure: Futures, CFDs, & forex trading carry substantial risk and are not suitable for every investor. An investor could potentially lose all or more than the initial investment. Risk capital is money that can be lost without jeopardizing one's financial security or lifestyle. Only risk capital should be used for trading, and only those with sufficient risk capital should consider trading. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Please read the full risk disclosure here.

Hypothetical performance results have many inherent limitations, some of which are described below. No representation is made that any account will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to those shown. In fact, there are frequently sharp differences between hypothetical performance results and the actual results subsequently achieved by any particular trading program. One of the limitations of hypothetical performance results is that they are generally prepared with the benefit of hindsight. In addition, hypothetical trading does not involve financial risk, and no hypothetical trading record can completely account for the impact of financial risk in actual trading. For example, the ability to withstand losses or adhere to a particular trading program despite trading losses are material points that can adversely affect actual trading results. Numerous other factors related to the markets or the implementation of any specific trading program cannot be fully accounted for in the preparation of hypothetical performance results and can adversely affect trading results.

Testimonials appearing on this website may not be representative of other clients or customers and are not a guarantee of future performance or success.

NinjaTrader® is a registered trademark of NinjaTrader Group, LLC. No NinjaTrader company has any affiliation with the owner, developer, or provider of the products or services described herein, nor do they endorse, recommend, or approve any such product or service.

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