Automate Topstep with TradersPost

Topstep accounts can be automated using TradersPost through the Tradovate platform. Topstep explicitly supports automated trading through the TopstepX API¹. However, all automated trading must run from a personal device — VPS and VPN usage is prohibited¹.

This guide walks through the complete setup process, from connecting your Topstep account to building automated strategies that comply with Topstep's risk management rules.

How TradersPost Connects to Topstep

The connection between TradersPost and Topstep works through Tradovate, which serves as one of Topstep's supported execution platforms. When you set up your Topstep evaluation or funded account with Tradovate, you receive login credentials that connect to TradersPost.

The signal flow works as follows:

• TradingView generates an alert based on your strategy or indicator
• TradersPost receives the webhook and processes the signal
• Tradovate executes the order in your Topstep account

This architecture requires selecting Tradovate as your execution platform when setting up your Topstep account. If you use TopstepX exclusively, the TradersPost integration is not available through that platform.

Topstep's Automation Policy

Topstep explicitly supports automated trading through the TopstepX API¹. Key rules for automated trading:

• Automated trading must run from a personal device¹
• VPS and VPN usage is prohibited¹
• Exploitative automation is prohibited — this includes sim fill exploitation, high-frequency trading, and mass data entry²
• All positions must be closed by 3:10 PM CT daily³

Unlike some prop firms that restrict automation entirely, Topstep allows algorithmic and automated trading as long as it is not exploitative and runs from a personal device¹.

Setting Up the Integration

Step 1: Create Your Topstep Account with Tradovate

When purchasing a Topstep evaluation, select Tradovate as your execution platform. After your account is provisioned, you will receive Tradovate login credentials. These credentials are what you will use to connect to TradersPost.

Step 2: Connect Tradovate to TradersPost

Log into your TradersPost account and navigate to the Brokers section. Add a new Tradovate connection using the credentials from your Topstep account. TradersPost will authenticate and display your available accounts.

Verify that the correct account appears and that the account balance matches what you see in your Topstep dashboard.

Step 3: Configure TradingView Alerts

Set up alerts in TradingView that send webhook messages to your TradersPost webhook URL. The alert message should specify the ticker, action (buy/sell), quantity, and any bracket order parameters.

TradersPost provides a unique webhook URL for your account. Paste this URL into the TradingView alert webhook field. When the alert fires, the signal is sent to TradersPost and routed to your Topstep account.

Step 4: Test with Paper Trading

Use TradersPost's paper trading mode to test the full signal chain before deploying to your funded account. Verify that alerts fire correctly, orders execute at expected prices, and position sizing is accurate.

Pay special attention to execution timing around the 3:10 PM CT position closure requirement³.

Strategy Automation Examples

Common strategies automated through TradersPost on Topstep accounts:

• Moving average crossover: Enter long when the 9 EMA crosses above the 21 EMA, with predefined stop loss and target levels
• VWAP bounce strategies: Buy or sell when price touches VWAP with confirmation from volume or momentum indicators
• Range breakout systems: Trade breakouts from the opening range or session high/low with bracket orders
• Mean reversion on micros: Use micro contracts for precise position sizing on mean reversion strategies

All strategies should include built-in risk management. TradersPost supports bracket orders with stop loss and take profit levels, which help enforce loss limits automatically.

Staying Compliant with Topstep Rules

Daily Loss Limit Management

Topstep enforces daily loss limits on most platforms⁴. On a $50,000 account, the daily loss limit is $1,000⁴. Breaching it triggers auto-liquidation for the rest of the session, but it is classified as an objective — not a rule violation — so it does not disqualify you from funding⁴.

TopstepX accounts created or reset after August 25, 2024 have no daily loss limit⁴. This can be advantageous for automated strategies that may experience temporary drawdowns.

Configure your TradersPost strategy to manage daily risk through:

• Setting per-trade stop losses that represent a fraction of the daily limit
• Configuring a maximum number of trades per day
• Using TradersPost's daily loss limit settings to pause trading after a threshold is reached

Maximum Loss Limit

The maximum loss limit trails upward based on your peak end-of-day balance⁵. Once it reaches your initial starting balance, it stops trailing⁵. Track your overall account drawdown relative to the maximum loss limit ($2,000-$4,500 depending on account size)⁵. If automated trading pushes your account close to this threshold, consider reducing position sizes or pausing the strategy.

Position Size Limits

Ensure your automated strategy does not exceed the maximum position size for your account tier: 5 contracts ($50K), 10 contracts ($100K), or 15 contracts ($150K)⁶. Configure position sizing in TradersPost to stay within these limits, and account for micro-to-standard contract ratios.

Position Closure by 3:10 PM CT

All positions must be closed by 3:10 PM CT daily³. Risk managers begin flattening positions at 3:08 PM CT³. Build an automated flatten alert that fires before 3:08 PM CT to avoid forced liquidation. TradersPost can execute a flatten-all command to close any open positions.

Consistency Target (Evaluation Only)

During the Trading Combine evaluation, your best trading day must be less than 50% of total profits⁶. If your automation produces an outsized winning day, you may need to trade additional sessions to dilute it below the 50% threshold. This rule applies only to the evaluation, not the funded account⁶.

Tips for Automated Prop Trading

• Use micro contracts for precision: Micro contracts let you fine-tune position sizing to stay safely within daily loss limits
• Set conservative daily loss thresholds: Configure TradersPost to stop trading at 50-75% of Topstep's daily limit, leaving buffer for slippage
• Consider TopstepX for no daily loss limit: If daily loss limits restrict your strategy, TopstepX accounts (after August 25, 2024) have no daily loss limit⁴
• Keep a trade journal: Review TradersPost execution logs alongside Topstep's account performance to identify optimization opportunities
• Start with the smallest account: Prove your automated approach on a $50,000 account before scaling to larger tiers
• Run from a personal device: Topstep prohibits VPS and VPN usage for automated trading¹

Conclusion

Topstep supports automated trading through the TopstepX API¹, making it one of the more automation-friendly prop firms. Connecting through Tradovate to TradersPost provides a disciplined way to execute webhook-based strategies in funded futures accounts.

The key requirements are: run automation from a personal device (no VPS/VPN)¹, close all positions by 3:10 PM CT³, stay within loss limits⁵, and avoid exploitative automation².

Test thoroughly in paper trading mode before deploying to your funded account. Verify Topstep's current automation policies on their website, as rules may evolve over time.

¹ Topstep Help Center - TopstepX API Access
² Topstep Help Center - Prohibited Conduct
³ Topstep Help Center - Trading Hours and Products
⁴ Topstep Help Center - Daily Loss Limit
⁵ Topstep Help Center - Maximum Loss Limit
⁶ Topstep Help Center - Consistency Target