API Trading w/ Thinkorswim

[tommytx]

Would never trust any robot unless i had the chance to inspect the source code thoroughly and fully understanding what it does and most importantly, what type of risk management is implemented. Even then, i would be sceptical because if it was that simple, everyone could just buy a robot and sit back and count all the profits.

The only way i would be interested (and i am) is if i could code the strategy myself or if someone helped me code it just the way i want it. Unfortunately, there is currently no way to do this for stocks that i am aware of but i will welcome the day when this opportunity exists.

@zeek i am sure you can make the Charles Swab Api to do any autotrading you can imagine.. But the API is a very long learning curve unless you are already a master API programmer in general.. Many of the Github boys have automations for Schwab but most are just pieces of code that do a simple task.. Howerver if you can do any simple task possible on the API then you could program a TOS bot and train it to do anything imaginable. I use the CS API but i am only a novice and that ****er is a long learning process just wish i had the time to put in to master it.. But anyone who is a master API guy in general could do it in short order as its just a complex Api and nothing more.. and as we know most master api guys can make most any API sing and dance. There is also a guy doing tons of automation the swab api using excell spread sheets.. but would much rather use like python or any other language since excell has such major limitations when building a versatile program. Don't get me wrong a great excell guy can make excel sing and dance alos but not sure it could attack the api with the same verstility a real program can.

 

[tommytx]

I can only receive the alert message (via email or SMS) that created by TOS MarketWatch->Alerts->Study Alert but for the alert message that triggered by the thinkscript script (alert() api), I can NOT receive the message from my email or SMA. Wondering if this is TOS restricted the capability to end users. Thanks

Its not that complex to use an email to text converter to tamper with anything in the email what so ever.. and i am sure there is a way to capture an sms into a text file that any program can process to take the action that the alert suggest you take..

 

[tommytx]

Sorry, I am at lost, perhaps your are referring to their web developer portal. If not, then sorry not really sure.

Yes web developer portal.. The one that grabs all the TOS data and fandangles it to do what ever you want like setup options, buy and sell is called Charles Schawab API.. it is completely free to use.. and if you are a hot API guy you can program a robot for it.. and in all my research i have not found any robots getting blocked unless they are mischievious. Just wish i was a great API programmer i would take on the robot task myself as i have a ton of idea on making a robot work overtime....

 

[rewardiaz]

Yes web developer portal.. The one that grabs all the TOS data and fandangles it to do what ever you want like setup options, buy and sell is called Charles Schawab API.. it is completely free to use.. and if you are a hot API guy you can program a robot for it.. and in all my research i have not found any robots getting blocked unless they are mischievious. Just wish i was a great API programmer i would take on the robot task myself as i have a ton of idea on making a robot work overtime....

API programming is no different than any other programming, an API is mostly a service.

Because each API has its own “language” (which I’m not familiar with yet), I would start by reading the portal’s function descriptions. I did look into it, but it’s mostly generic data that TOS would provide as well. Also, read up on JSON file structure/formatting so data transport makes sense to you.

After that, data will need a UI.

 

[DeepThinker]

@tommytx in my hamble opinion,
tested solid strategy or strategies that can be orchestrated based on the criteria managed by the bot's engine - is the key for profitable trading.
I am sure you know, the automation (APIs) without paper trading and back testing support is NOT acceptable path to succeed.
Based on my experience, Schwab APIs are not stable and have no support for paper trading.
Also, after the TDA takeover, Schwab limited features and made no updates nor improvements to support retail traders.
This unhealthy trend continues, making traders to explore proprietary solutions or other brokers' offerings.