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Here we see how to get the G-BOT Platform immediately rolling. In other sections we will examine some aspects in more details.

I assume you have done all indicated in the install instructions. In particular, make sure you have checked the ActiveX in the TWS API settings and have bypassed all "precautions". If using the Gateway, use the API access option (not FIX) when starting the Gateway for the first time.

1. Run the Gateway (or TWS) making (I assume you have already configured the API settings as explained in the install notes)
2. Run G-BOT

Method 1: Start trading using a non-scheduled start

1. Click on the button "Connect" to connect to the to the Gateway (or the TWS) through the port specified in the API settings (default: 7496 for TWS, or 4001 for Gateway. You can click one of the two small icons below the port number, to automatically set the default port number).

2. Click on the button "Start or Add".

The monitor panel will open, showing the prices arriving, tick by tick. Allow a few minutes before price curves take form.
In the meantime G-Bot will be analyzing the data feed to gather some useful information.

G-Bot session file is saved in a temporary folder in the "Documents" folder. The full path is shown on the "Start Live trading" tab.
The G-Bot temporary folders can be deleted at any time, as G-Bot will recreate them anytime it resaves the session file (which happens at any fill event or periodically, in any case).

The session file can be used to resume any interrupted session.

Method 2: Start trading using a scheduled start

1. Click on the button "Connect" to connect to the TWS or to the Gateway through the port specified (default: 7496 for TWS, or 4001 for Gateway. You can click on one of the two small icons below the port number, to set the default port number)
2. Setup the start time and check the radio button ("Scheduled start")

How to run G-BOT, and when to close it

G-Bot can be let run 24/7, day and night (including when market is closed). In case (for computer maintenance) you can shut it down (leaving the position open at the end of the week, to resume the session when market reopens on sunday). G-Bot must never be closed for any reason different from the precise intention of closing the trading session.

New instruments can always be added dinamically, while trading. This can be done by adding new symbol strings (you can just copy and paste for most symbols, possibly adjusting expiry dates and strikes for options) in the symbol file and clicking on "Start Add".
The symbol file can be opened and edited by clicking on the "Edit symbols" button, on the start up tab.

To remove an instrument already running, use the top right button "Quit instrument" in the trading monitor. Note that editing instruments symbols in the symbol list has no effect on the instruments being traded: the symbol list has the only purpose to be used to launch and add new instruments.

IMPORTANT: G-BOT computations are independent of TWS: no account information is ever used for trading

One very crucial thing to bear in mind that the position, P&L and other figures shown by G-BOT are only related to the orders it has executed on the current instruments (in the current session) in the current instance.

G-BOT makes its computations completely independently of TWS and it knows actually nothing about the "actual" account state.

Example: If you run 2 different instances of G-BOT on the same account, if for istance one has EUR long 2 contracts, and the other one has, also, EUR long 3 contracts, then in the TWS you will have 5 contracts.
It's important to understand that each G-BOT instance keeps it's own figures and is completely self sufficient.

This is by design, because it allows running multiple independent instances of G-Bot, with different (or similar) folios on the same account (or different accounts).
(Further, it allows restoring a trading session after any interruption, or to resume trading from another location.)

Let's make another examples to make sure this is clear.  

- If you run 2 different instances of G-BOT on the same account, if for istance one has EUR long 2 contracts, and the other one has also EUR short 2 contracts, then in the TWS you would have a position of 0 contracts (algebrical sum).

- If you have EUR long 2 contracts, and manually, in the TWS, you close this position, G-BOT, will know nothing about it. If G-BOT, later, is allowed to "close" this position (because you have not switched it to "manual" mode), then the IB account will show 2 contracts short.

So, all computations are relative to the orders actually executed by G-BOT in the current instance and based on the tickdata received realtime through the TWS.
G-BOT does not take or use any account information for trading.
 
[Only the account margins or account info can be optionally just "shown" (for user convenience), and in such a case those are info directly reported by IB.
So if multiple robots are working on the account or you have other position opened manually with the TWS, keep in mind those figures are for the whole account, just as reported by the TWS.
G-BOT does not use this information for its operation. No user account information is ever used by G-BOT for trading: everything is striclty self contained within each instance.]

The PNL shown by G-BOT is "net", in the sense that its meaning, at any time, is what it is actually pocketed by closing all positions, at that precise instant. It is "net" of spread and commissions. It is computed based on the current bid/ask, assuming that a limit order would be able to close the position at the current bid/ask.

We will not go into eccessive details in our explanation as the traders using G-Bot are necessarily smart ;-)