Paper and live modes are explicit
Paper mode is the default, while live operation is a separately configured and deliberately enabled client-controlled mode.
Trading software product
Alpaca Trading Bot Engine for Multiple Strategies
An Alpaca-connected Trading Bot Engine for paper and client-controlled live order workflows, with authenticated operators, strategy API keys, order records, and an operational dashboard.
Implementation scope
What this product implements
The application separates operator sign-in from strategy-to-platform requests. Operators use JWT-based access, while strategies submit signals with an API key issued when the strategy is created.
The configuration defaults to paper mode, while the same order workflow also supports client-controlled live operation through separate configuration and an explicit enablement gate.
The React dashboard provides configuration, strategy management, order filtering, test-signal controls, and light or dark presentation without making a trading-performance claim.
Engineering choices
Clear boundaries in the application design
Separate identities for people and strategies
JWT-authenticated operator access and per-strategy API keys give the application distinct paths for administration and incoming signals.
Persisted operational state
Configuration, strategy records, and order history are kept so the dashboard can show the state the application recorded rather than relying on a transient request alone.
Validation approach
How the product can be reviewed
- A controlled test-signal path and order filtering let an operator review submitted requests and recorded order workflows.
- Paper-mode review can be used to check configured application behaviour before any separately enabled live operation.
Current boundaries
Important limitations
- The product supports paper and client-controlled live order workflows. Live operation requires the account holder's approved credentials, configuration, and deliberate enablement; it is not enabled by default.
- A working Alpaca connection requires approved account credentials and the required integration setup. A live deployment needs environment-specific configuration, order-state handling, monitoring, and operational validation.
- Paper or demo verification checks defined software behaviour only. It does not validate a strategy's profitability, predict live results, or guarantee future performance.
- Sun Cluster provides software engineering, not investment advice, brokerage, custody, or discretionary trading services.