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Templates and Cloning

With bot templates and bot cloning, you can easily find ideas, share trading strategies, and add bots to your portfolio with a single click. Finding new trading strategies has never been easier.


FAQs

How many templates can I have?

You can have unlimited bot templates saved to your library. Templates can be cloned into a bot at any time.

How can I keep track of all my bots in an organized way?

We suggest naming your bots with a detailed description so you can quickly identify their objective. You can also personalize your bots with icons and colors.

What is the difference between a template and a clone?

Templates allow you to save, edit, and reuse strategies. You can reuse the framework of a trading strategy with a template.

Cloning replicates a bot so you can immediately add it to your portfolio and modify its settings. You can clone a template.

Do templates store any trade history in them?

No. Templates have a description and show all automations used in the bot, but they do not show the bot’s trading history.

When would I save a template as a new template vs. updating an existing template?

If you update an existing template with modifications and no longer want the original, you should use the "update" functionality. 

If you want to keep your original template intact and now have a second template with some minor modifications, use the "new" template function.

What should I put in the short description field of a new template?

You should put a brief general description of this template's functionality in this field. If you share the template in the Community, other members can read the description, so it is a good idea to provide a detailed description of the bot’s objective.

How do I share a bot privately with a friend or group of friends?

You can send a private message to Community members and attach a template or automation. 

Select the envelope icon in the top right corner of the platform to send private messages. Select the template you want to share from the bottom of the message page to attach the template. 

Where can I see bot templates people have shared in the Community?

To see templates shared by other traders in the Community, simply click on the Community tab and select “Templates” in the Collections column on the left. You can view the templates people have shared, and if you click on an individual’s name, you can see all of the templates they have shared.

Should I automatically clone and start running bot templates I find in the Community with real money?

We suggest you paper trade all cloned bots in your paper trading account before trading live capital to ensure you understand exactly how the bot will work.

How do I see the automations inside a bot template that someone shared?

When you select a template shared in the Community, all of its automations are listed, along with a brief description of the bot. You can click on any automation to see its details.

Can I delete templates and clones that I've created in the past that I no longer want?

Yes. To delete a bot click the gear icon and select "Delete." Be aware that if your bot has open positions, you must manage them manually after the bot has been deleted.

What does it mean when I clone a template someone shared?

Cloning a template turns the strategy into a bot. When you clone a template, you can modify its global settings.

Where can I find bot templates?

You can find bot templates saved to your library in the "Templates" tab on the bot homepage. 

Templates can also be found under “Collections” on the Community homepage. You can save and clone templates shared in the Community.

What's the difference between a clone and a bot template?

Clones are a copy of the bot or individual automations. Templates are the complete bot with all automations, bot notes, and version information. 

Clones are added to your portfolio as a bot, and you can trade them immediately; templates are saved to your library and can be cloned into a bot.

Why would I want to create a new bot template?

Templates allow you to save the framework of a bot. You can share, reuse, and update the template at any time. This saves you from having to re-create the bot in the future.

You can save as many templates as you want to your library. Any bot can be saved as a template and reused to clone a new bot in the future, where you can modify its settings. 

What information is stored as part of a bot template?

Templates store a bot’s basic functionality, such as your entry and exit parameters via automations, criteria used, and notes/descriptions about the bot. The bot’s position history and allocation amounts are not stored with the template.

How is a new template different from an updated template?

New templates are the original version of a bot from which you created a template. You can modify the template at any time and save the latest version as an updated template.

Can I add detailed notes, including images or web links, to my bot template?

Yes, you can add a wide variety of information into the notes area of your template, including links to articles, images or screenshots of charts, a link to a backtest, and more.

Will any of my personal information or position history be shared if I share a bot template?

No. Only the bot’s name, description, automations, and version history are shared.

How can I create a bot from a bot template?

To create a bot from a template, simply select the template in your library, or download one from the Community and select "Clone.” This will create a new bot, and you can always modify its settings. Note that all new bots are turned off by default, so you will need to turn it on.

Should I always paper trade and test new bot templates that I find or are shared with me?

Yes, it is strongly recommended that you always paper trade a new bot.

Why can't I update or modify any of the automations inside a bot template?

A bot template is designed to be viewed and saved, not modified. You can clone the template and edit the bot’s settings and automations.

If I change or edit a bot template that I previously shared, will it change their template?

No, if you edit a template, it will not change your bot or the templates you had previously shared with others.

When would I update an existing template vs. saving a new template?

If you update an existing template with modifications and no longer want the original, you should use the "update" functionality. 

If you want to keep your original template intact and now have a second template with some minor modifications, use the "new" template function.

If I make changes to a bot template, will any bots built using that template be changed?

No.

Where can I add or edit notes for a saved bot template?

To add or edit notes to a saved template, select the template and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Can I see how many times I have changed or updated my bot template?

Templates display their version number and the last update at the top of the page and how many times it has been cloned.

How can I delete a bot template?

Select the gear icon inside your bot template and click "Delete."

Why would I want to delete a bot template?

If you have a template that represents a trading strategy you no longer use, or you downloaded the template to observe its actions, you may want to delete it to avoid confusion and keep an organized working environment.

Once a bot template is deleted is it gone forever?

Yes.

If I delete a bot template I shared will it be deleted on their end as well?

No.

Is there a limit to the number of bot templates I can have?

No.

If I delete a template that I had used to clone a bot will the bot be deleted as well?

No.

Do my bot templates (or bots) get changed if the person who shared the template makes changes?

No.

Should I paper trade bot templates shared in the community?

Yes, we always recommend paper trading shared templates.

Who has access to my bot templates?

By default, everything you do in the platform is private to you. You can always share your bot templates publicly or privately. Shared templates do not include personal information, position history, or past performance.

Can I see the performance of a shared bot template?

No. The best option is to clone a template and run it in paper trading mode to monitor its performance.

How can I share a bot template in a private message?

You can use the attachment feature below your message to add a template.

How can I share a bot template in a group message?

You can add up to ten recipients in a private group message. Use the attachment feature below your message to add a template.

How can I share a bot template publicly in the community?

Select "Create Post" and toggle the "Share a Template" tab to share a template in the Community. You can then select the template you want to share from your library.

When I share a bot template does it share my personal data?

No, shared templates do not include personal information, position history, or past performance.

Can I share bot templates in the community and get feedback?

Absolutely. One of the Community’s objectives is to crowdsource ideas and encourage member interaction.

When you create a post, be sure to select “Share a Template.” 

How can I view or use a template shared with me?

You can always view a template’s details by selecting the template.

To use a shared template, click on the template and select “Clone.”

Do I have to save a bot template before I create a bot from it?

No, you can clone a shared template or a template in your library at any time.

What types of supporting information can I save in the "Notes" section for a bot template?

You can save text, screenshots, links, and anything that will help you in the future, such as chart pictures, articles, and more.

What is the difference between a template and a clone?

Templates allow you to save, edit, and reuse strategies. You can reuse the framework of a trading strategy with a template.

Cloning replicates a bot so you can immediately add it to your portfolio and modify its settings. You can clone a template.

How should I name my bot templates?

You should name your templates in a way that makes them easily identifiable and helps you understand the bot’s objectives.

How can I best use the "Notes" field in my templates?

The notes field is ideal for you to document your thoughts for the trading strategy, along with any links, screenshots, or any other information you may want to include.

What can I put into my template’s notes?

The template notes field can contain all kinds of information, including text, screenshots, links to articles, videos and webpages, and any other information you may want to include.

Do my notes get shared with the bot template?

No, notes are private to you. Only the template’s name, history, automations, and description are displayed.

What are some best practices for organizing my bot templates?

You should develop a system that helps you easily identify your different templates and strategies. For example, yellow icons could be for neutral strategies, while green icons are for long strategies.

How should I use the "Description" field in my bot template?

The description field is where you can provide a brief summary of the bot’s objective and purpose. The description field is visible when you share the template.

Is there a library of shared templates?

Yes. On the Community homepage there is a Templates tab.

When I create a bot from a shared template, will it automatically start running automations?

No. New bots are turned off by default. You must turn on the bot manually when you are ready.

Can I see historical performance of a shared template ?

No. Unless the creator of the template has provided information in their notes, the historical performance remains with the creator.

Do I have to save a shared template first before creating a bot?

You can either clone the bot instantly or save the template to your library and clone it at a later time.

Is any of the personal or performance data transferred from the person who shared the template?

No.

Should I paper trade a cloned bot from a shared template?

We strongly recommend paper trading cloned bots to help identify any modifications you may want to make.

How do I clone a bot from a template?

Hover your mouse over the template and click “Clone.”

Is there a library of bot "templates" somewhere I can look through for ideas?

Yes: Bot Templates | Option Alpha

You can also access any templates shared in the Community from the Community homepage.

What bot characteristics are shared in a template?

Bot automations, bot description, user notes, and version number.

Will cloning someone else's bot template allow me to see their trade history or performance?

No.

Is cloning an existing bot and cloning a bot from a bot template essentially the same action?

Yes, they are the same.

Can someone share a single bot with me, or does it have to be turned into a bot template?

You can share individual automations or complete templates.

How are clones and bot templates different?

Clones are a copy of the bot or individual automations. Templates are the complete bot with all automations, bot notes, and version information.

Clones are added to your bot portfolio and can be traded immediately; templates are saved to your library and can be cloned into a bot.

Does a bot clone simply replicate the existing bot or bot template?

Yes.

When I clone one of my bots does it clone all of the automations inside that bot?

No, any performance and log information from the original bot will not be included with the clone.

If I change or modify my cloned bot does that in any way impact my original bot?

Yes, making changes to the automations will be reflected in both bots, so make sure to copy the automation first to avoid having changes made to the original bots automation. 

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Author
Kirk Du Plessis
Founder
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