Quick Start Guide
Get up and running with the Trading Platform in under 5 minutes. This guide covers everything you need to start trading.
Platform Overview Video
Watch this quick overview to get familiar with the Trading Platform interface and key features
New to Trading?
If you're completely new to trading, we recommend starting with our Trading Basics guide first.
Before You Begin
Ensure you have the following ready:
- Email address - For account verification
- Trading broker account - MetaTrader 4/5 credentials. Interactive Brokers, TD Ameritrade and cTrader accounts cannot connect
- Modern web browser - Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge (latest version)
Step 1: Create Your Account
Getting started takes just a few minutes. Visit our registration page and follow these steps:
- Navigate to auth.dev.binarysword.com/signup
- Enter your email address and create a secure password
- Verify your email by clicking the link sent to your inbox (check spam if needed)
- Complete your profile with basic information
Password Requirements
Your password must be at least 12 characters and include uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.
Step 2: Connect Your Broker
The Trading Platform connects to your existing broker account, giving you powerful analysis tools while you trade on your preferred platform.
Brokers
| Broker Type | Platforms | Connection Method |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader | MT4, MT5, live or demo accounts | MetaAPI integration |
| Interactive Brokers, TD Ameritrade, cTrader | — | Not available |
Connection Steps
- In the sidebar, open Accounts → Broker Accounts
- Select Add Account
- Under Select Broker, choose MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5
- Enter a display name, your account number, password and server, and choose the account's purpose
- Select Connect Account
A new account can take a while to come up. While it connects, the page checks again every 4 seconds, for up to about 160 seconds. Interactive Brokers, TD Ameritrade and cTrader cannot connect, and Select Broker no longer lists them.
Step 3: Practise on a Paper Account
Before trading with real money, practise on a paper account or on your broker's MetaTrader demo account. There is no Demo/Live switch.
To create a paper account:
- In the sidebar, open Trading → Workspace
- Open the account selector at the top of the workspace's left panel and select Manage paper accounts
- Select New paper account. It starts with 10,000 USD at 1:100 leverage unless you change the starting balance, currency or leverage
Simulated, not sent
A paper account is a simulated book with virtual funds. Its orders are filled by the platform and never reach a broker.
Step 4: Place Your First Trade
Ready to execute your first trade? Follow this quick process:
- Select an instrument - Use the search bar (Cmd/Ctrl + /) or browse the watchlist
- Analyse the chart - Check the trend, support/resistance levels, and timeframes
- Open the order panel - Click Buy (green) or Sell (red)
- Set your parameters:
- Position size (start small!)
- Stop loss (always use one)
- Take profit (optional but recommended)
- Execute - Click Place Order and confirm
Step 5: Monitor Your Position
After placing a trade, you can monitor it from several locations:
- Positions Panel - Shows all open trades with real-time P&L
- Chart - Entry, stop loss, and take profit levels displayed as lines
- Terminal - Detailed trade information and history
Essential Keyboard Shortcuts
Speed up your workflow with these commonly used shortcuts:
| Action | Windows/Linux | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Search instruments | Ctrl + / | Cmd + / |
| New order | Ctrl + N | Cmd + N |
| Close all positions | Ctrl + Shift + C | Cmd + Shift + C |
| Toggle chart type | C | C |
| Add indicator | I | I |
What's Next?
Now that you're set up, explore these resources to improve your trading:
- Account Setup - Configure your preferences and security settings
- Platform Tour - In-depth walkthrough of all features
- Placing Trades Tutorial - Detailed guide to order types and execution
- Risk Management - Protect your capital with proper risk controls
Need Help?
Stuck or have questions? We're here to help:
- Live Chat - Click the chat widget in the bottom right
- FAQ - Account, Trading, and Technical questions
- Email - support@binarysword.com
Risk Disclosure
Trading involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Only trade with money you can afford to lose. Past performance does not guarantee future results.