Ninja
Ninja has complete help files and videos for all of the functions. We will include a few here, but you must consult their files for any updates and/or version changes.
The current version as of this writing is 6.5.x
When you choose your Futures broker and open an account, they will send you their own download link and software 'key' for it to run.
Ninja has 2 modes: Demo and Live. You will, of course, begin in demo mode to practice.
Ninja support center here: www.ninjatrader.com/webnew/support.htm Please view the Ninja videos on how do to all these functions. Conceptforex does not provide support for Ninja platform and is not affiliated with them in any way.
The main Ninja window after boot-up is called the 'Control Center' seen here. It has not yet been connected to Patsystems data feed.
Ninja Account Connection
After download and install of Ninja, the first step is to make the 'Account Connection'. This is what allows Ninja to connect to the trading servers. Your broker will send you an email with step by step instructions to do this. Just follow the instructions sent to you by your broker. The main thing for you to do different is to name your connection properly so the Interface Module can 'see' it:
- Futures: Name the connection Patsystems (capital P)
Start the Account Connections wizard here:
Here is the Connection Options window in the wizard:
Note the capital P in Patsystems
The wizard windows after the one above, is where you select 'Demo' or 'Live' and enter server addresses, port values and such. When you are ready for live, then you will need to input your account number and password for that account.
The Instrument Manager
When you start Ninja, you need to put the Russell 2000 Futures and/or the $EURUSD symbol into the Instrument List. This is done in what they call the 'Instrument Manager'.
Steps for the Russell
- Open the Instrument Manager in the Control Center screen
- Select 'Future' under Type, then press the 'Search' button
- Highlight the row with the name: TF
- Press the LEFT arrow to place TF 06-10 into the Instrument List
- Close the Instrument Manager
- Note that only symbols in the Instrument List will be traded by Ninja
- It is optional to remove any other instruments in the instrument list as they will not affect anything. To remove, simply highlight the instrument in the left sided list, then press the 'Right Arrow' below
Note: The 06-10 will change 4 times a year on roll-over day. You first remove the old one in the instrument manager of Ninja by selecting it in the left column then pressing the right pointing arrow. Then you add the new one using the steps above.
Steps for the Midcap
- Open the Instrument Manager in the Control Center screen
- Select 'Future' under Type, then press the 'Search' button
- Highlight the row with the name: EMD
- Press the LEFT arrow to place EMD 06-10 into the Instrument List
- Close the Instrument Manager
- Note that only symbols in the Instrument List will be traded by Ninja
- It is optional to remove any other instruments in the instrument list as they will not affect anything. To remove, simply highlight the instrument in the left sided list, then press the 'Right Arrow' below
Note: The 06-10 will change 4 times a year on roll-over day. You first remove the old one in the instrument manager of Ninja by selecting it in the left column then pressing the right pointing arrow. Then you add the new one using the steps above.
Start the Instrument Manager here:
Here is the Instrument List with the TF 03-10 added (the month will change every 3 months on roll over day which your broker informs you about.
You first will select the old TF <month> by selecting it in the Instrument List, then pressing the right arrow to remove it. Then you would add the new TF <new month>.
Connect Ninja to Datafeed
Now that you have your account connection and instruments configured, it is time to connect.
Go to: File > Connect > Patsystems and click
When connected, you will hear a sound and see 'Connected - <broker>' in the lower left status bar.
Note in the above window how the 'AT Interface' is checked and it appears in the lower right status bar --- This is required to work with our Interface Module !
If this is not checked then:
- Check the 'AT Interface' as above
- Exit Ninja
- Reboot Ninja
- Connect Ninja
From now on the Interface Module will be able to 'see' Ninja.
Going to LIVE account
You also see above that the 'Global Simulation Mode' is checked. When you start Ninja, this automatically is checked so that you do not make any mistakes in LIVE mode. You unckeck this to go into LIVE mode - manually. When you do this, the Control Center window will go to a whitish color. You also need to change the Account selection in the Control Center to your live account. Then in EACH open DOM, you also need to select the Account selection to your live account. When you do this, the DOM's turn whitish also.
This is how your Control Center should look at this point:
or
Dynamic Super DOM
Opening and configuring a DOM for the TF and MC is necessary. The DOM is where you configure your ATM strategies for stop loss and targets. An ATM strategy is 'Automatic Trade Management', and is pre-designed before a trade is taken.
This DOM MUST be open during trading!
Stops - Trail - Targets
With the Conceptforex EFS, you will see many more wins than losses in your esignal charts. With this accuracy then, the only issue left is to 'capture' those ticks. The overwhelming majority of the AM trades seen in the videos, give you 8-10+ ticks in the Russell and rarely hit a stop of 10 ticks on the way to that goal. So use this information in the development of your ATM.
There is no 'right' setting for stops and targets, as somedays tight stops work and other days you need loose stops. This is all due to the changing nature of price action - slow and methodical vs. fast and jumpy.
Please view NINJATRADER's online help and videos for ATM construction. You are free to construct your own ATM strategies to your own personal preferences and tolerances. As traders are vastly different in the daily goals desired, risk tolerances, number of lots traded, and desired scale out routines, this must be left up to the individual.
So it thefore seems that there are 3 primary options for the ATM's:
- Set Stops and Targets with no trail
This will give maximum leeway to the working trade, but can fail to protect a trade that only goes part way to target before retracement
- Set Stops and Targets with a limited trail
This can protect a trade that goes part way to target
- Set Stops and Targets with multiple trail levels
This can protect a trade that goes part way to target and tighten as you get closer to target. The downside here is that you may get more small trade profits
How to construct a DOM and ATM Stategies
In the Ninja Control Center window, connect to Patsystems, then : File > New > Dynamic SuperDOM
You will need an open DOM for each instrument trading.
This is an example for the Russell, TF
- Select the TF 06-10 in the Instrument drop-down list
- Leave Order Qty, TIF alone - Our ATM Strategy and Interface Module will handle this
- Click the ATM Strategy drop-down arrow and select 'Custom'
- Stop loss, enter your desired value
- Profit target, enter your desired value
- Click the Stop stragegy arrow and select 'Custom'
- Click a radio button next to '3 Step' if you desire a trailing stop(s)
- Leave Profit trigger, Plus, and Vol trigger set to 0
- Set up your desired trailing stop parameters
- Right-click in this window and name the stop template as 'StopTF1'
- Click 'ok' to close the Stop Strategy window
- Right-click anywhere in the ATM Stragegy parameters area of the DOM and select 'Manage ATM Strategy Templates'
- Name this 'TF1'
- Multiple lots. This is when you should achieve the best results. A popular method is to take 1/3 position off at about 2/3 - 3/4 way to target, 1/3 off at target, then trail the rest thereafter.
Photo of completed TF 03-10 DOM - Just an example
(remember, the '03-10' will change 4 times a year with the new contract month)
Ninja's online help is here. Then navigate to 'Advanced Trade management (ATM) in the left side contents.
ATM General Guidelines
Every person's goals and risk tolerances are different, but here are some considerations for you when you design your ATM.
- Russell and Midcap
As you have seen in the many videos, targets of 7-10 ticks are achieved the vast majority of mornings, while the 10 tick stop is infrequently hit. So, a wide open ATM using these values would give a trade the most leeway. There are always, of course, trades that go part way to target then retreat, so you may with to move up the stop and/or scale out lots when the trade gets part way to target, perhaps around 6 ticks or so. Options for the stop at that point are to bring it up some, like to minus 5, to zero, or to BE or to BE + 1 tick (BE = break even).
Using Ninja with the Interface Module - Final Items
In order that the signals from the Robot are immediately processed, you must, in Ninja:
- Uncheck the 'Confirm Order Placement' box
This is found at: Tools > Options... > General Tab
- The AT Interface option must be checked
When correct, a highlighted 'ATI' will appear in the lower-right portion of the Ninja control center window.
Again, you may need to check this, then exit Ninja, then reboot and reconnect so that Ninja sends the correct file, Patsystems.txt, to the Ninja 'outgoing' folder.
