HerAlgoFlow
In Part 1 we covered why HerAlgoFlow strategies need NinjaTrader Desktop. Now let's get it installed and set up so you can practice with fake money.
1. Create a free NinjaTrader account
Sign up on NinjaTrader's website. You don't need to deposit any money to start; funding only matters later, if you decide to trade live.
2. Download and install Desktop
Download NinjaTrader Desktop for Windows and run the installer. The platform and simulator are free to download and use. When it opens, sign in with the account you just created. The main window you'll see is called the Control Center; everything else opens from there.
3. Meet Sim101, your practice account
New users get a simulated account named Sim101. It tracks a pretend cash balance, profit and loss, and margin just like a real account. Every strategy you test in this series will run on Sim101, so nothing you do here can cost real money.
4. Choose your practice data
A strategy needs market data to react to. NinjaTrader gives you a few options:
- Live data trial. New users get free live streaming data for the first 14 days. This is the most realistic way to practice, so plan your first sim sessions inside that window.
- Market Replay. Replays recorded market data from the past 90 days, and can speed it up. Great for watching a strategy trade a whole morning in a few minutes.
- Simulated data feed. Generates fake price movement you control. Useful for checking that a strategy reacts correctly, but not for judging results.
After the 14-day trial, you can keep practicing on Sim101 for as long as you like, using delayed data, a paid live data feed, or a funded account.
5. Connect
In the Control Center, open the Connections menu and connect to your data source. Strategy options only appear once you're connected, whether that's to live data, Market Replay or the simulated feed. If you can't find the Strategies menu later, this is almost always why.
Next in Start here
Part 3 shows how to add a strategy script to NinjaTrader and turn it on in your sim account.