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~2 min • Instant

⚡ Connecting Alpaca Markets (Live & Paper API Keys)

Generate instant Paper (PK...) and Live (AK...) API keys, connect both accounts side-by-side without overwriting, and choose the right Market Data feed (IEX vs. SIP).

⚡ Fastest Brokerage to Connect (~2 Minutes, Never-Expiring API Keys)

Live + $100k Paper Supported Together

Alpaca Markets is an API-first FINRA/SIPC-member US brokerage. Every Alpaca sign-up includes a free $100,000 simulated Paper Trading account immediately (even before funding a Live account), and TradeConsole lets you connect both your Live (AK...) and Paper (PK...) accounts side-by-side without overwriting each other!

1

Generate Alpaca Paper Trading API Keys (PK...)

  1. Sign up or log in at https://app.alpaca.markets/.
  2. In the top-left account switcher dropdown, make sure Paper Trading (yellow badge, e.g. PA3...) is selected.
  3. On the Home / Overview screen, locate the API Keys panel on the right and click View → Generate New Key.
  4. Copy both values immediately before closing the modal:
    • Endpoint: https://paper-api.alpaca.markets/v2 (configured automatically by TradeConsole)
    • API Key ID: Starts with PK...
    • Secret Key: Shown only once when generated! (Note: clicking Regenerate later invalidates any previously generated key in that slot.)
  5. In TradeConsole, open ⚙️ Settings → 🔌 Brokerage Connections, paste both into the 🧪 Alpaca Paper Account card, keep Market Data Feed set to IEX Real-Time Feed (Standard), and click Connect Paper Account.
2

Generate Alpaca Live Brokerage API Keys (AK...)

  1. Once your Alpaca brokerage account is approved and funded at app.alpaca.markets, switch the top-left dropdown to your Live account (green badge).
  2. Open API Keys → Generate New Key and copy your Live API Key ID (starts with AK...) and Live Secret Key.
  3. Paste them into the separate 🟢 Alpaca Live Account card in TradeConsole and click Connect Live Account.
  4. Tip — Instant Paper/Live Filtering: Use the Paper (On) checkbox in TradeConsole’s top bar anytime to include or hide Paper accounts from your total portfolio KPIs, positions, and order tables!
3

Choosing Your Market Data Feed: IEX vs. SIP

✅ IEX Real-Time Feed (Recommended Default)

100% Free on every Alpaca Free/Basic Paper and Live account. Streams real-time Investors Exchange quotes and 5-minute intraday bars for Smart Execution with zero subscription fees.

📡 SIP Full US Tape (Paid Alpaca Subscription Only)

Streams full consolidated NYSE + NASDAQ + ARCA tape, but requires an active Alpaca Algo Trader Plus ($99/mo) market data subscription. Selecting SIP on a free Alpaca plan will return 403 subscription does not permit querying recent SIP data — switch back to IEX to fix immediately.