Bot Core Fields: Exchange, Symbol, Side, Leverage, And Sizing
The Basic step defines the trading context for the whole bot. If this step is wrong, every filter, grid, exit, and backtest that follows is built on the wrong assumptions.
What this is
This article explains the core fields that shape a bot before you move into Filters, Grid, Exit, and Risk.
When to use it
Use this article if:
- you are creating a new bot and want to avoid setup mistakes
- you are editing an existing bot and need to understand which fields change the trading context
- you are not sure how exchange account, symbol, leverage, and sizing affect the rest of the configuration
Before you start
Before filling the Basic step, make sure you already have:
- a validated exchange account
- a clear idea of whether you want a single market or an all-coins scan
- a rough sizing plan
Important current product behavior:
- exchange_account_id is required
- market_type is spot or futures
- symbol_mode is single_pair or all_coins
- sizing_mode is percent_balance or fixed_amount
- the form requires at least one entry filter later, but these fields set the context first
Step by step
Step 1: Choose the correct exchange account
Your exchange account decides:
- which exchange the bot trades on
- which environment the bot uses
- which market list is available
- which account balance context the editor can read
If an account is missing from the dropdown, it is usually not validated yet.
Step 2: Pick the symbol scope
The editor supports two symbol modes:
- Single Pair
- All Coins
If you use Single Pair , choose one symbol such as BTCUSDT .
If you use All Coins , remember that filter tests and some backtest warnings behave differently because the run is no longer tied to one chart only.
Step 3: Set market type and side
Choose:
- spot or futures
- long or short
These decisions shape the rest of the strategy. Features such as funding capture are futures-only, and the backtest result must always be interpreted in the same market context you intend to trade.
Step 4: Set leverage and margin type
Leverage controls exposure relative to the selected sizing value.
Margin type controls the margin model:
- Isolated
- Cross
Best practice in the current editor:
- choose the account and market first
- choose the symbol second
- set leverage and margin type after that
Step 5: Set sizing mode and sizing value
The editor currently supports:
- Percent of Balance
- Fixed Amount
Use Percent of Balance when you want sizing to scale with the account balance. Use Fixed Amount when you want the same nominal amount each time.
If you use percent sizing, remember that values above 100 are rejected by the current schema.
Step 6: Check field coherence before moving on
Before leaving the Basic step, confirm that these fields make sense together:
- exchange account
- environment
- market type
- symbol mode
- symbol
- side
- leverage
- margin type
- sizing mode
- sizing value
If one of these changes later, retest the rest of the bot instead of trusting older results.
What you should see
By the end of the Basic step, you should have:
- one validated exchange account attached
- the correct symbol mode selected
- a specific market or all-coins scope chosen
- a valid side
- leverage and margin settings that match the product
- a sizing setup that matches your capital plan
Common mistakes
- selecting a symbol before confirming the exchange environment and market type
- treating leverage as the position size instead of a multiplier
- changing from single pair to all-coins mode without retesting
- ignoring minimum market hints from the editor
- editing the core context and assuming an older backtest still represents the bot
Related articles
- Templates And Basic Settings
- How Entry Filters Work
- Grid Settings
- Exit Settings And Risk Management
- Connect Exchange Account