Trading FAQ
Frequently asked questions about trading on ChartLabs.
Which brokers can I connect?
ChartLabs currently supports the following brokers:
| Broker | Assets | Account Types |
|---|---|---|
| Paper Trading | All simulated instruments | Virtual account (built-in) |
| Alpaca | US Stocks, Crypto | Live and paper accounts |
| OANDA | Forex, CFDs | Live and demo accounts |
Additional broker integrations may be added in the future.
How do I connect my broker account?
- Open the Trading Hub panel
- Click Connect Broker
- Select your broker from the list
- Enter your API credentials (API key and secret)
- Click Connect
See Connecting a Broker for step-by-step instructions.
Is my broker API key secure?
Your API credentials are transmitted over TLS-encrypted connections and used only to authenticate with your broker's API. ChartLabs acts as an intermediary to route your orders.
What order types are supported?
ChartLabs supports the following order types:
- Market -- Execute immediately at the current market price
- Limit -- Execute at a specified price or better
- Stop -- Trigger a market order when a price level is reached
- Stop-Limit -- Trigger a limit order when a price level is reached
- Take-Profit -- Close a position at a target profit level
- Stop-Loss -- Close a position to limit losses
See Order Types for detailed explanations.
What time-in-force options are available?
| Option | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| DAY | Day Order | Expires at end of trading day |
| GTC | Good Til Cancelled | Remains active until filled or cancelled |
| GTD | Good Til Date | Remains active until a specified date |
| FOK | Fill or Kill | Must be filled entirely and immediately, or cancelled |
| IOC | Immediate or Cancel | Fill as much as possible immediately, cancel the rest |
Can I modify an open order?
Yes. You can modify pending orders from the Orders panel:
- Locate the order in the open orders list
- Click the order to select it
- Modify the price, quantity, or other parameters
- Confirm the modification
Only orders that have not yet been filled can be modified.
How do I cancel an order?
You can cancel individual orders by clicking the cancel button next to the order in the Orders panel. To cancel all open orders at once, use the Cancel All button.
How does paper trading work?
Paper trading simulates real market conditions using live or delayed market data, but all trades are executed with virtual funds. This allows you to:
- Test trading strategies without financial risk
- Learn how different order types behave
- Practice with the trading interface before going live
Paper trading accounts can be reset at any time to start fresh. See Paper Trading for more details.
Can I trade directly from the chart?
Yes. When a broker account is connected, you can place orders directly from the chart interface. The trading panel integrates with the chart to show your positions, open orders, and order levels visually on the price chart.
Where can I see my positions?
Open positions are displayed in the Positions panel within the Trading Hub. Each position shows:
- Symbol and side (long/short)
- Quantity
- Average entry price
- Current price
- Unrealized P&L
- Unrealized P&L percentage
What do the order states mean?
| State | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending Submit | Order is being sent to the broker |
| Submitted | Order has been sent to the broker |
| Accepted | Broker has acknowledged the order |
| Partially Filled | Part of the order has been executed |
| Filled | The entire order has been executed |
| Cancelled | The order was cancelled |
| Rejected | The broker rejected the order |
Do I need a paid plan to trade?
Paper trading is available on all plans, including the Free tier. To connect a live broker account and trade with real funds, a Pro or Ultimate plan is required.
Are there any trading fees from ChartLabs?
ChartLabs does not charge trading commissions. However, your broker may charge their own commissions, spreads, or fees. Check with your broker for their fee schedule.

