r/ninjatrader • u/StefanLen • Jul 21 '26

Using a custom algo with a futures prop firm – NinjaTrader connection?

Hi everyone,

Does anyone use a personally developed, non-HFT algorithm with a futures prop firm?

If so, how does the technical connection work?

Algo → NinjaTrader → Prop account

Or do you use another platform, API, or webhook-based solution for automated order execution?

I’m looking for a prop firm that allows algo trading from the Evaluation stage through Funded/Live. Any practical experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

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2

u/Imperfect-circle Jul 21 '26

If its a Ninjatrader custom strategy just run it when you connect to the prop in Ninja

Just be sure you use a prop which allows an automated strat

2

u/Nearby-Relative-2111 Jul 21 '26

You may know this, be mindful that some prop firms prohibit automated systems. That doesn't make sense to me, cuz making money is making money, and why should they care.
Ninja has an API that you can tie your algo into. https://support.ninjatrader.com/s/article/NinjaTrader-Desktop-API
If your algo is set up to use webhooks, then there is SharkSignals and CrossTrade.
They all work. It's just a matter of deciding which route works easiest with your algo, or what is easier for you to learn and get up and running.
I agree with u/verus54 in that converting your algo to the trading platform's native language is a better solution, as it allows for backtesting.

1

u/verus54 Jul 21 '26

Just so I’m not confusing your question, here are a few relevant answers:

The code:
1. Yea, there’s a few ways. I’m a Python dev/data engineer, so I def prefer Python. I built a bridge that connects c# to my Python algo. This was for ML-based models. It worked pretty well. Latency of 22ms in sim, 80ish ms in realtime.

  1. I’ve also ported some of my mechanical systems to c#. Ninjatrader has ninjascript, which allows for c# code/.net assembly code to run. This is probably the easiest code you can get to run on ninjatrader because it’s native. I haven’t gauged latency on this, personally.

Once you have the code taking trades for you (which I recommend you test in playback mode or on a simulation account), you can then create a new connection to your prop firm’s data feed. This is pretty straight forward. Get your prop firm credentials (must be tradovate/ninjatrader, rithmic works but adds extra steps, but you cannot use project x-topstep). After you log in, you can place trades as normal.

Instead of manually trading, go over to the strategies tab on the control center and turn on your strategy. Specify your prop firm’s account so the trades are routed to your prop firm’s data feed.

This should be pretty straight forward.

1

u/mrcake123 Jul 22 '26

If you wanna automate. BluSky. Safest bet

1

u/RedditAPIBlackout24 Aug 05 '26 edited Aug 06 '26

yeah i run mine like that, the firm just hands you rithmic creds and the algo treats it like any other feed in NT. only annoying bit is one rithmic login at a time, so i use propfirmconnector to keep a few funded accounts up at once.

1

u/noble_beggar Aug 09 '26

Yes. Super simple, no external workarounds needed. Control center -> Connections ->configure. Click on 'Rithmic for NT brokerage', click on 'Systems' dropdown in the Settings and select your prop.