# Bot Basics

## Quick Start

1. **Strategy Lab** → **Launch Bot**
2. Choose a template (Momentum, Mean Reversion, or Breakout)
3. Configure settings (pair, size, risk limits)
4. Review and launch

[Full bot creation guide →](/quantsedge-docs/getting-started/first-trading-bot.md)

## Strategy Templates

**Momentum** - Follows trends, buys strength, sells weakness (trending markets) **Mean Reversion** - Buys dips, sells pumps (sideways/choppy markets) **Breakout** - Catches big moves when price breaks ranges (volatile markets)

## Key Settings

| Setting          | Description           | Recommendation                 |
| ---------------- | --------------------- | ------------------------------ |
| **Trading Pair** | Which crypto to trade | BTC-USD, ETH-USD (major pairs) |
| **Order Size**   | Amount per trade      | Start small ($100-200)         |
| **Trading Mode** | Paper/Testnet/Live    | Always test first              |
| **Leverage**     | Position multiplier   | Start with 1x (no leverage)    |
| **Take Profit**  | Auto-exit at gain     | 3-5%                           |
| **Stop Loss**    | Auto-exit at loss     | 1.5-2% (required!)             |

## Monitoring Performance

**Dashboard View:**

* Active bots count
* Total P\&L (profit/loss)
* Open positions
* Win rate and average profit

**Bot Details:**

* Current position with entry/current price
* Trade history
* Performance chart over time
* Execution logs

[Dashboard guide →](/quantsedge-docs/trading-bots/dashboard-overview.md)

## Bot Controls

| Action     | Effect                            | Use Case                |
| ---------- | --------------------------------- | ----------------------- |
| **Pause**  | Stops new trades, keeps positions | Break during volatility |
| **Stop**   | Stops trading, closes positions   | End trading session     |
| **Edit**   | Modify settings (requires pause)  | Optimize parameters     |
| **Delete** | Permanently remove                | No longer needed        |

## Safety Features

\*\***Position Limits** - Can't exceed your maximum \*\***Kill Switch** - Auto-stops on total loss limit \*\***Rate Limiting** - Prevents order spam \*\***Balance Checks** - Won't trade without funds

## Best Practices

**Do:**

* Start with paper trading
* Use small positions initially
* Set stop losses always
* Monitor daily
* Test for 1+ week before scaling

**Don't:**

* Skip testing phases
* Use max leverage as beginner
* Leave unsupervised for weeks
* Trade money you can't lose
* Chase losses with bigger sizes

## Troubleshooting

**Not making trades?**

* Market doesn't match strategy conditions
* Insufficient balance
* Bot paused

**Losing money?**

* Strategy doesn't fit current market
* Stop loss too tight
* Market conditions changed

**Too many trades?**

* Strategy too aggressive
* Parameters need adjustment
* Check for backtest overfitting

***

**Learn More**: [Strategy Overview](/quantsedge-docs/trading-strategies/strategy-overview.md) | [Risk Management](/quantsedge-docs/trading-fundamentals/risk-management.md) | [FAQ](/quantsedge-docs/reference/faq.md)

**Need Help?**: [Troubleshooting](/quantsedge-docs/help-and-support/troubleshooting.md) | [Contact Support](/quantsedge-docs/help-and-support/contact-and-support.md)


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