> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.trada.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.trada.io/getting-started/quickstart.md).

# Quickstart

Get from sign-up to your first copied trade in four steps: create an account, connect a trading account, set up a copier, and review your trades.

This guide takes you from a new account to a running copier. It assumes you already have at least two trading accounts you want to link — one to copy **from** (the sender) and one to copy **to** (a receiver).

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Prefer to understand the pieces first? Read [What is Trada](/getting-started/what-is-trada.md) and [Core concepts](/getting-started/core-concepts.md), then come back here.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://1071438488-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FOsaVyFC53CtoAY5kabHr%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-786b7499d95eaa40a450e04d64f9faecbd3f08a6%2Fquickstart-flow.svg?alt=media" alt="The four quickstart steps: sign up, connect an account, create a copier, and review"><figcaption><p>Four steps from sign-up to a running copier.</p></figcaption></figure>

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### Create your account

Sign up with **Google** or with your email and a password. Email sign-ups receive a verification link — confirm it before logging in.

New accounts complete a short three-step setup: your trading goals, your account type, and a plan. You can start on the **Free** plan and change later.
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### Connect a trading account

Open **Accounts** and select **Add Account**. Give the connection a **Name**, choose the **Platform**, and pick your broker's **Server**. You can connect six Forex and CFD platforms: MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, cTrader, TradeLocker, DXTrade, and MatchTrader.

**cTrader** connects through a secure sign-in (OAuth): select **Authenticate cTrader** and approve Trada on cTrader's sign-in page. Every other platform connects with the login your broker or prop firm gave you. Connect at least two accounts to set up a copier. See [Connect a Forex or CFD account](/connecting-accounts/connect-forex.md) for the full steps.

Futures platforms — NinjaTrader, Rithmic, and DXFeed — are coming and can't be connected yet.

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Connecting an account from a partnered prop firm or broker can grant you that partner's plan at no cost. See [Partner accounts & offers](/connecting-accounts/partner-accounts.md).
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### Create a copier and add accounts

Open **Copy Trading** and choose **Create Copier**. Then:

1. **Add a sender** — the master account whose trades you want to copy.
2. **Add one or more receivers** — the accounts that follow the sender. For each receiver, set a lot-sizing mode, how stop-loss and take-profit carry over, and any risk-protection limits.
3. **Map symbols** if your accounts use different names for the same instrument (for example `XAUUSD` on one and `GOLD` on another).

When a sender and at least one receiver are configured, switch the copier to **Active**.
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### Watch it run, then review

On the copier's detail page, the **Open Trades** tab shows live positions and P\&L, and **Copier Logs** records every copy operation. As trades close, they flow automatically into your **Journal**, where you can rate each trade, note your emotional state, and add context. **Reports** then aggregate performance across all your accounts.
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## What to do next

* Tune how each account copies — see [Add & configure a receiver](/copy-trading/configure-receiver.md).
* Add automatic guardrails — see [Risk protection](/copy-trading/configure-receiver/risk-protection.md).
* Restrict when a copier runs — see [Working hours & scheduling](/copy-trading/working-hours.md).

## Related

* [How copy trading works](/copy-trading/copy-trading.md)
* [Core concepts](/getting-started/core-concepts.md)

***

Trading carries risk of loss. Trada is software; you retain all trading responsibility. See [Risk disclaimer & legal](/reference/legal.md).