Automate Alpha Futures with TradersPost

Alpha Futures connects to TradersPost through Tradovate⁷. While Alpha Futures strictly prohibits fully automated bots, EAs, and AI trading systems⁴, semi-automated trading where the trader actively monitors and manages trades is permitted⁴. TradersPost's alert-based automation fits within this framework when used with active oversight.

This guide covers setting up TradersPost automation, managing the anti-scalping rule, handling the 4:20 PM EST position closure⁵, and staying compliant with Alpha Futures' automation policy.

How TradersPost Connects

TradersPost connects to Alpha Futures through Tradovate⁷. The signal chain:

• TradingView or TrendSpider fires a strategy alert
• TradersPost receives the webhook and processes the order
• Tradovate executes the trade in your Alpha Futures account

Alpha Futures also supports NinjaTrader (shares login credentials with Tradovate), TradingView (via Tradovate add-on), and Quantower⁷. Platform choice is locked at account activation and cannot be changed afterward⁷.

Automation Policy

Alpha Futures has strict automation rules⁴:

What Is Allowed

• Custom indicators providing buy/sell signals with manual trade placement⁴
• TradersPost alert-based execution with active trader monitoring⁴
• Semi-automated strategies where the trader understands and oversees the system⁴
• VPS usage for running platforms (but not for unattended bot trading)⁴
• Copy trading across your own accounts using built-in platform copiers⁴

What Is NOT Allowed

• Fully automated bots, EAs, or AI trading systems⁴
• High-frequency trading (100+ trades/day)⁴
• Hands-off, continuous day-and-night trading⁴
• VPN usage to mask IP addresses⁴
• Reverse trading/hedging across accounts⁴

Violations result in immediate agreement termination, voided profits, and denial of qualified phase advancement⁴.

Setting Up the Integration

Step 1: Choose Your Plan

For semi-automated trading, consider these factors:

• Standard plan: 40% consistency rule on qualified accounts -- strategy must produce diversified daily returns¹
• Advanced plan: No consistency rule on qualified accounts -- best for strategies with variable daily returns²
• Zero plan: No consistency on evaluation but 40% on qualified, $0 activation, 90% split from day one³

The Advanced plan is the best choice for automated traders due to no consistency rule, no Daily Loss Guard, and full contract access from the start².

Step 2: Select Tradovate

When purchasing your evaluation, select Tradovate as your platform for TradersPost integration⁷. Platform choice is locked at activation and cannot be changed later⁷.

Step 3: Connect to TradersPost

Add your Tradovate account credentials in TradersPost's broker section. Verify the account displays correctly with proper balance, position limits, and account type.

Step 4: Configure TradingView Alerts

Set up TradingView alerts with webhook messages directed to your TradersPost URL. Include entry, exit, and bracket order parameters. Ensure your strategy respects the 2-minute/10-tick minimum hold rule⁴ and closes all positions before 4:20 PM EST⁵.

Step 5: Test Before Going Live

Test the entire automation chain during your evaluation. Verify order execution timing, position closure, and rule compliance. Alpha Futures offers unlimited evaluation resets at applicable fee for iterating on your setup⁶.

Managing the Anti-Scalping Rule

Alpha Futures prohibits tick scalping -- trades held under 2 minutes AND covering fewer than 10 ticks as a consistent pattern⁴. For automated strategies:

• Build a minimum 2-minute hold time into your strategy logic
• Target moves of at least 10 ticks to ensure compliance even on quick exits
• Avoid strategies that rely on rapid micro-movements for small profits
• Occasional quick exits on stop losses are acceptable if not a consistent pattern⁴

Additionally, HFT is restricted -- more than 100 trades per day may trigger enforcement⁴.

Managing the 4:20 PM Position Closure

All Alpha Futures positions must be closed by 4:20 PM EST daily⁵. No overnight or weekend holds are permitted⁵. For automated strategies:

• Build a hard position closure into your strategy logic at 4:15 PM EST (5-minute buffer)
• Cancel all pending orders before the cutoff
• Use TradersPost scheduling to disable new entries after 4:00 PM EST
• Alpha Futures auto-closes remaining positions, but you bear slippage risk⁵
• Trading hours: 6:00 PM EST to 5:00 PM EST the next day⁵

Managing News Trading Restrictions

News trading restrictions vary by plan and phase:

• During Evaluation (All Plans): No news trading restrictions¹²
• Qualified Standard/Zero: No orders within 2 minutes before or after high-impact news events (ForexFactory red folder)¹
• Qualified Advanced: No news trading restrictions²

For automated strategies on Standard/Zero qualified accounts, build a news filter that pauses trading around high-impact events. The Advanced plan avoids this issue entirely with no news restrictions².

EOD Drawdown Advantage

Alpha Futures uses end-of-day trailing drawdown⁸. The MLL is calculated from your account balance high at the end of each trading day, not from intraday equity⁸. This benefits automated strategies because temporary intraday unrealized losses do not move the drawdown floor -- only the closing balance matters.

Best Practices

• Choose the Advanced plan: No consistency rule, full contracts, and no news restrictions eliminate the most common automation compliance issues²
• Select Tradovate: Required for TradersPost integration⁷
• Monitor every alert: Review each TradersPost execution actively rather than running unattended⁴
• Minimum 2-minute holds: Build the anti-scalping buffer into your strategy⁴
• Stay under 100 trades/day: Well below the HFT threshold⁴
• Close by 4:15 PM EST: 5-minute buffer before the 4:20 PM deadline⁵
• Use bracket orders: Set stop losses and take profits on every trade
• Trade at least once every 10 trading days: Avoid inactivity account archival⁵

Conclusion

Automating Alpha Futures with TradersPost is supported through the Tradovate integration within the framework of semi-automated trading⁷⁴. The EOD trailing drawdown creates a forgiving environment for strategies with intraday swings⁸.

The main constraints are the strict prohibition on fully automated bots, the anti-scalping rule (2-minute/10-tick minimum), and the 4:20 PM EST position closure⁴⁵. The Advanced plan is the recommended choice for automated traders due to its lack of consistency rule, no news restrictions, and full contract access².

Verify Alpha Futures' current automation policies and evaluation details on their website before setting up automated trading.

¹ Alpha Futures - Standard Account Overview
² Alpha Futures - Advanced Account Overview
³ Alpha Futures - Zero Account Overview
⁴ Alpha Futures - Prohibited Trading Practices
⁵ Alpha Futures - What and When You Can Trade
⁶ Alpha Futures - Reset
⁷ Alpha Futures - Trading Platforms
⁸ Alpha Futures - Maximum Loss Limit