Broker Connections Overview

TigerTradeBot connects to brokers to read account data, receive market data and, with a license that allows live trading, route orders. This page covers what applies to every broker; per-broker setup is in the guides below.

How connections work

• Direct connection. Your computer talks to the broker’s API directly. Orders and account data don’t pass through TigerTradeBot servers.
• You authorize, the broker enforces. You grant access through the broker’s own mechanism (OAuth, API keys, or a wallet key). Whatever permissions and limits the broker applies to that credential apply to TigerTradeBot too.

Where to enter credentials

Broker credentials are shared by every bot instance, so they live in one place: Settings → Global Configuration (admin only). Schwab, Alpaca and IBKR are on the Brokers & Data tab; Polymarket and Webull have their own tabs. Each broker has a Test button. Save with Save Settings.

Where credentials are stored

Credentials are stored on your computer, in TigerTradeBot’s local configuration database inside its data folder. They are not stored in your operating system’s credential store, and they are never sent to TigerTradeBot servers.

TigerTradeBot generates an encryption key on your computer and, once that key exists, encrypts sensitive settings such as API keys and secrets with AES-256-GCM. The key is kept in the same data folder, so protect your computer account and treat backups of that folder like a password. Credentials don’t follow you to a new machine unless you restore a backup there.

Paper and live

• Every broker can run against the built-in simulator. A bot instance in Paper mode simulates its orders and sends nothing to the broker; the broker connection only supplies market data. Alpaca’s paper keys are also supported. See Paper trading.
• Live mode sends real orders. It needs a license that allows live trading (the free paper-trading license doesn’t) and an explicit confirmation when you switch an instance to Live.

Which broker an instance trades through

Each bot instance has a Broker Focus setting (Settings → Instance Configuration → Trading): Schwab (stocks / options), Alpaca (stocks) or Alpaca (crypto). Polymarket and Webull trade through their own settings and pages; see their guides.

Brokers

We recommend running any strategy in Paper mode for an extended period before enabling live trading. Trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for every investor.