MT5 Setup Guide

Complete guide to setting up your trading bot

Overview

This guide will walk you through the complete setup process for connecting your MetaTrader 5 terminal to the HackTrade AI trading system. The setup involves three main components:

Expert Advisor (EA)

Runs inside MT5 and executes trades based on AI signals

Local Bridge

Desktop app that connects MT5 to our cloud servers

AI Server

Our cloud infrastructure that processes signals with AI

The entire setup process takes approximately 10-15 minutes. Make sure you have MetaTrader 5 installed before beginning.

Prerequisites

MetaTrader 5 Terminal

Download from your broker or metatrader5.com

Trading Account

Live or demo account with an MT5-compatible broker

Windows PC or VPS

Windows 10/11 or Windows Server (for VPS)

Stable Internet Connection

Required for real-time communication with AI servers

HackTrade AI Account

With an active bot purchase. Browse bots

VPS Recommended: For 24/7 uninterrupted trading, we strongly recommend running MT5 on a VPS. Your local PC may sleep, restart, or lose internet, interrupting the trading bot.

Step 1: EA Installation

Download the EA File

After purchasing a bot, go to your Dashboard and navigate to the "My Bots" section. Click the download button next to your bot to get the EA file.

The file will be named something like HackTrade_ScalperAI.ex5

Open MT5 Data Folder

In MetaTrader 5, go to:

File → Open Data Folder

This will open the MT5 data directory in Windows Explorer.

Copy EA to Experts Folder

Navigate to the Experts folder:

path

MQL5 → Experts

Copy or drag the downloaded .ex5 file into this folder.

Refresh Navigator

Back in MT5, right-click on "Expert Advisors" in the Navigator panel and select "Refresh". Your new EA should appear in the list.

If the Navigator panel is not visible, press Ctrl+N to open it.

Attach EA to Chart

Open a chart for any symbol (e.g., EURUSD). Double-click the EA in the Navigator or drag it onto the chart.

A settings dialog will appear. Make sure to:

Check "Allow Algo Trading"
Check "Allow DLL imports"
Enter your API Key (found in Dashboard)

Enable Auto Trading

Click the "Algo Trading" button in the MT5 toolbar to enable automated trading. The button should turn green.

You should see a smiley face icon in the top-right corner of your chart, indicating the EA is running correctly.

Step 2: Local Bridge Setup

The Local Bridge is a desktop application that securely connects your MT5 terminal to our AI servers. It runs in the background and handles all communication.

Download Local Bridge

Download the Local Bridge installer from your Dashboard under the "Downloads" section.

Install the Application

Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. The default installation path is recommended.

Windows may show a SmartScreen warning since the app is new. Click "More info" then "Run anyway" to proceed.

Configure Your API Key

When the application starts, you'll need to enter your API Key. Find this in your HackTrade AI Dashboard under Account Settings.

text

API Key: hk_live_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Your API Key is unique to your account and should be kept private.

Start the Bridge

Click "Connect" to start the bridge. The status indicator should turn green, showing "Connected to HackTrade AI".

The bridge will automatically reconnect if the connection is lost. You can minimize it to the system tray.

Step 3: Connecting to Server

Once both the EA and Local Bridge are running, they will automatically establish a connection. Here's how to verify everything is working:

Connection Checklist

EA attached to chart (smiley face visible)

Auto Trading enabled (green button)

Local Bridge showing "Connected"

Dashboard shows bot status as "Active"

It may take up to 60 seconds for the initial connection to establish. Check the Experts tab in MT5 for any error messages.

Step 4: Dashboard Setup

Monitor your bot's performance in real-time through the HackTrade AI dashboard.

MT5 Live Trading

View your bot's current status, open positions, and recent trades.

Open Dashboard

P&L Calendar

Track daily, weekly, and monthly performance with detailed breakdowns.

View Calendar

Troubleshooting

EA shows sad face icon

This usually means Auto Trading is disabled. Click the "Algo Trading" button in the toolbar. Also check that "Allow Algo Trading" is checked in the EA settings.

Local Bridge won't connect

Check your internet connection. Ensure your firewall isn't blocking the application. Try running as Administrator. Verify your API Key is correct.

No trades being executed

The bot waits for optimal conditions before trading. Check the Dashboard for bot status. Ensure your account has sufficient margin. Verify your broker allows automated trading.

EA disappeared after MT5 restart

You need to re-attach the EA to your chart after each MT5 restart. Consider saving a template with the EA attached, or enable "Save account state" in MT5 settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run multiple bots at once?

Yes, but each bot requires a separate license and should be attached to a different chart/symbol.

Will the bot trade when my PC is off?

No. The EA and Local Bridge must be running for trading to occur. Use a VPS for 24/7 operation.

How much internet bandwidth does it use?

Very minimal - only a few KB per trade signal. Any basic internet connection is sufficient.

Can I use a demo account?

Yes! We recommend testing on a demo account first to familiarize yourself with the system.

What happens if the connection drops?

Open trades will be managed by their stop-loss/take-profit levels. The bot will not open new trades until reconnected.

Need Help?

Our support team is here to assist you with setup and troubleshooting.

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