IBKR + Trade Ideas Brokerage+ setup checklist (paper-to-live)¶

This is a paper-first, failure-mode-first checklist for connecting Trade Ideas Brokerage+ to Interactive Brokers (IBKR).

Goal: - you can connect reliably - you can place paper orders without surprises - you can go live later with the same settings (only changing the account)

Disclosure: some links are affiliate links. Learn more.

Before you start (fast prerequisites)¶

Trade Ideas side¶

• A Trade Ideas plan that includes Brokerage+.
• Trade Ideas installed and updated.
• You can open Brokerage+ and see the broker connection controls.

IBKR side¶

• An IBKR account (paper + live, ideally both enabled).
• One of:
• TWS (Trader Workstation) installed, or
• IB Gateway installed (headless / server-friendly)
• You can log in to IBKR successfully.

Step 1 — Start in the safest mode¶

1. Close Trade Ideas.
2. Decide your first test environment:
3. IBKR Paper (recommended)
4. not live

Then: - Launch TWS / IB Gateway. - Confirm you are logged in and stable (no reconnect loop).

Step 2 — Enable IBKR API access (the #1 blocker)¶

In TWS (or Gateway settings UI), enable API access.

Checklist (wording varies slightly by version): - ✅ Enable ActiveX and Socket Clients (or similar) - ✅ Socket Port set (common defaults: 7497 paper, 7496 live) - ✅ Read-only API = OFF (Trade Ideas must place orders) - ✅ If there’s a setting like "Allow connections from localhost only": - ON if Trade Ideas is on the same machine - OFF + trusted IPs if connecting across machines (advanced)

Where to find it (typical path in TWS): - File → Global Configuration… → API → Settings

Recommended settings for a first-time setup: - ✅ “Enable ActiveX and Socket Clients” = ON - ✅ “Read-Only API” = OFF - ✅ Port = 7497 (paper) or 7496 (live) - ✅ “Trusted IPs” blank if you’re using localhost, otherwise add your Trade Ideas machine IP (advanced) - ✅ If there’s a setting like “Create API message log file” / “Log API messages”: turn it ON while debugging

Step 3 — Avoid the silent gotchas (common failure modes)¶

3a) Windows/macOS firewall blocking the port¶

Symptoms: - Trade Ideas can’t connect - or connects only sometimes

Fix: - allow TWS / IB Gateway through the OS firewall - ensure the API port (7497/7496 or your custom) is allowed locally

If Trade Ideas and TWS are on the same machine, this is usually a local firewall/app permission issue — not “the internet.”

3b) Only one app can own the IBKR API session¶

If another tool is connected to IBKR (common: Python scripts, other platforms), Trade Ideas may fail to connect.

Fix: - Disconnect other tools - Restart TWS/Gateway - Try again

3c) Trading permissions / market data subscriptions¶

Some symbols/orders may be rejected if: - permissions are missing - you’re trying to trade a product you don’t have enabled

Fix: - verify you can place the same order manually in TWS

3d) Two-factor / re-auth loops¶

If IBKR keeps asking to re-auth, your connection will drop.

Fix: - stabilize your login first (don’t debug Trade Ideas until TWS/Gateway is stable)

3e) Timeouts / sleep / Windows updates¶

If the machine sleeps, reboots, or the network drops, Brokerage+ will lose connectivity.

Fix: - keep the session machine awake - consider IB Gateway on a stable host if you automate regularly

Step 4 — Connect Trade Ideas Brokerage+ to IBKR (paper)¶

1. Open Trade Ideas.
2. Open Brokerage+.
3. Choose Interactive Brokers as the broker.
4. Connect.

Basic success criteria: - status shows connected/ready - no recurring error popups

Step 5 — Validate with a “boring” paper test¶

Do a small, controlled paper test before you automate anything:

• one liquid symbol
• regular session (not premarket unless you intend to trade it)
• simple order type (avoid fancy routing first)

Success criteria: - order appears in IBKR paper - fill behavior is sane - no repeated submits/cancels

Step 6 — Only then: connect it to Brokerage+ automation¶

Once the connection is solid, then layer in automation:

• build/verify your Alert Window
• backtest with OddsMaker
• load the strategy into Brokerage+
• keep strict guardrails (trade caps, session windows, re-entry controls)

Recommended path: - Alert Window tutorial - OddsMaker backtesting - Brokerage+ automation tutorial

Step 7 — Go live (later): change one thing at a time¶

When you’re ready to go live: - switch to IBKR Live - confirm live port + live account selection - reduce size - keep max-trades-per-day tight

Quick troubleshooting table¶

• Can’t connect at all → API not enabled / wrong port / firewall / another tool connected
• Connects then drops → IBKR auth loop / sleep / network instability
• Orders rejected → permissions / product not enabled / order type not allowed
• No fills → order type too strict / limit offset needed / outside session
• Nothing happens when you “send” → API is Read-only / strategy isn’t actually sending orders / wrong account (paper vs live)

FAQ¶

Do I need TWS, or can I use IB Gateway?¶

Either works. TWS is easiest for initial setup; IB Gateway is often more stable for always-on connectivity.

Which port should I use for IBKR paper vs live?¶

Common defaults are 7497 (paper) and 7496 (live), but always confirm in your TWS/Gateway API settings.

What’s the safest first test?¶

A single manual/paper order on a highly liquid symbol during regular session hours, with a simple order type.

Next¶

• Brokerage+ safety: Brokerage+ safety guide
• Execution detail: Limit offset
• Risk sizing: Position sizing

Disclosure: some links are affiliate links. Learn more.



---

Written by

David

Updated 2026-02-04 • Last tested 2026-02-04

Mentor-style Trade Ideas tutorials focused on workflow, clarity, and repeatable process.