{"format":"opendoc-document","version":1,"url":"https://docs.upscale.trade/how-upscale-works/api_trading","title":"API Trading","description":"The API Trading option: eligibility, how to enable it and the additional rules it activates on an account","kind":"article","locale":"en","inLanguage":"en","lastModified":"2026-10-20T11:41:17+03:00","revision":"24e7104bc65d62f5a887ca43715ae3941324f712355db86cc6cc0c9895024fda","section":{"title":"Documentation","url":"https://docs.upscale.trade"},"representations":{"html":"https://docs.upscale.trade/how-upscale-works/api_trading","markdown":"https://docs.upscale.trade/how-upscale-works/api_trading.md","json":"https://docs.upscale.trade/how-upscale-works/api_trading.json"},"translations":{"en":"https://docs.upscale.trade/how-upscale-works/api_trading","ru":"https://docs.upscale.trade/ru/kak-rabotaet-upscale/torgovlya-cherez-api","es":"https://docs.upscale.trade/es/como-funciona-upscale/api_trading_es"},"breadcrumbs":[{"title":"What is Prop Trading","url":"https://docs.upscale.trade"},{"title":"API Trading","url":"https://docs.upscale.trade/how-upscale-works/api_trading"}],"headings":[{"depth":2,"id":"eligibility","title":"Eligibility"},{"depth":2,"id":"when-it-can-be-enabled","title":"When it can be enabled"},{"depth":2,"id":"what-comes-with-the-option","title":"What comes with the option"},{"depth":2,"id":"how-it-appears-in-the-interface","title":"How it appears in the interface"},{"depth":2,"id":"who-it-suits","title":"Who it suits"},{"depth":2,"id":"quick-start","title":"Quick start"}],"markdown":"---\ntitle: \"API Trading\"\ndescription: \"The API Trading option: eligibility, how to enable it and the additional rules it activates on an account\"\nicon: code\npublished: true\n---\n\n**API Trading** is an additional option that opens up programmatic trading on a specific challenge: connecting a trading bot, your own scripts or analytics tooling.\n\n{% hint style=\"warning\" %}\n**The option changes the rules of the whole account.** Along with API access, the [60-second profit adjustment](Participation_Requirements.md#api-rules) and the [30% rule](Participation_Requirements.md#rule-30) start applying to the account. They cover every operation on it — those made through the API and those made by hand in the terminal alike.\n\nThe option cannot be switched off: once activated, the rules stay for the life of the challenge.\n{% endhint %}\n\n## Eligibility\n\n| Parameter | Value |\n|---|---|\n| Minimum account notional | $10,000 — the option is unavailable on $1,000 and $5,000 accounts |\n| Cost | the option is currently free |\n| Challenge phase | can be enabled until the account moves to the funded stage |\n| Demo account | the option is activated when the challenge is created |\n\nA discount on the challenge does not apply to the cost of options: paid options are always charged in full.\n\n## When it can be enabled\n\n{% tabs %}\n{% tab title=\"With a new challenge\" %}\nThe option is selected at checkout. After payment the challenge is immediately marked API-enabled and the additional rules start applying to it.\n{% endtab %}\n\n{% tab title=\"On an active challenge\" %}\nThe option can be added to a challenge that is already running, provided all of the following hold:\n\n* the challenge is active;\n* the challenge is not on the funded stage;\n* the account notional is $10,000 or higher;\n* the option has not already been activated on this account.\n\nIf any condition is not met, the platform shows the reason it is unavailable.\n{% endtab %}\n{% endtabs %}\n\n## What comes with the option\n\n| Rule | What it means |\n|---|---|\n| Request rate limit | exceeding it returns an error and the request is not executed |\n| 60-second profit adjustment | A profitable close made less than 60 seconds after the position was opened or increased is not counted |\n| 30% rule | The single most profitable day must not account for 30% or more of total profit — a condition for passing each stage and for payout eligibility |\n\nThe mechanics of both rules are described on the [Challenge & Trading Rules](Participation_Requirements.md#api-rules) page.\n\n{% hint style=\"info\" %}\nBoth rules cover every operation on the account — manual and programmatic, across all order types. The option is called API Trading, but its effect is not limited to trading through the API.\n{% endhint %}\n\n## How it appears in the interface\n\nThe account card shows an API icon among the connected options, along with a \"Max profit day\" block displaying the current figure for the 30% rule — exactly as on Turbo accounts.\n\nIf the 60-second adjustment was applied to a close or a partial close, the position history shows the counted result as `0 USD`. Hovering on desktop or tapping on mobile brings up an explanation with the reason and the original profit figure. Position and account totals use the adjusted value only.\n\n## Who it suits\n\nThe option is for traders working algorithmically: connecting a bot, automating entries and exits, or collecting trading telemetry with their own tools.\n\nIf you trade manually and have no plans to connect programmatic tools, there is no reason to enable it: you will not use the API access, but the restrictions on the account will still be there.\n\n---\n\n## Quick start <a href=\"#quick-start\" id=\"quick-start\"></a>\n\nAn API key is created in the terminal, in the API section of your account settings. Only accounts with the API Trading option enabled are available through the API. The option can be enabled on the same page, using the button to set up accounts.\n\nThe key is meant for the account owner only: do not publish it and do not pass it to other traders. Sharing a key is a breach of the rules.\n\nEverything you need for API trading is collected in the [Developers](https://docs.upscale.trade/developers) section — a separate part of the documentation for developers.\n\n| What you will find there | What it is for |\n|---|---|\n| Quick start | opening and closing a position in five calls, with ready-to-run JavaScript and Python scripts |\n| Authentication | how to get an API key and send it with your requests |\n| Conventions | number format, the units used by the fields, and how repeated requests are handled |\n| Rate limits | the cap on how often you can call the API |\n| Errors | response codes and what they mean |\n| Operations | a reference of the calls, grouped into Accounts, Configuration and Trading |\n\nEvery call in the reference can be run straight from its page: the API Playground takes your key and parameters, and the send button returns a real response from the platform. The same block holds ready-made request code for cURL, JavaScript and Python.\n\n{% hint style=\"warning\" %}\nCalls made from the reference run on a real account: an order you send is actually created. Try them on a demo account.\n{% endhint %}\n","text":"API Trading is an additional option that opens up programmatic trading on a specific challenge: connecting a trading bot, your own scripts or analytics tooling. The option changes the rules of the whole account. Along with API access, the 60 second profit adjustment and the 30% rule start applying to the account. They cover every operation on it — those made through the API and those made by hand in the terminal alike. The option cannot be switched off: once activated, the rules stay for the life of the challenge. Eligibility Parameter Value Minimum account notional $10,000 — the option is unavailable on $1,000 and $5,000 accounts Cost the option is currently free Challenge phase can be enabled until the account moves to the funded stage Demo account the option is activated when the challenge is created A discount on the challenge does not apply to the cost of options: paid options are always charged in full. When it can be enabled The option is selected at checkout. After payment the challenge is immediately marked API enabled and the additional rules start applying to it. The option can be added to a challenge that is already running, provided all of the following hold: the challenge is active; the challenge is not on the funded stage; the account notional is $10,000 or higher; the option has not already been activated on this account. If any condition is not met, the platform shows the reason it is unavailable. What comes with the option Rule What it means Request rate limit exceeding it returns an error and the request is not executed 60 second profit adjustment A profitable close made less than 60 seconds after the position was opened or increased is not counted 30% rule The single most profitable day must not account for 30% or more of total profit — a condition for passing each stage and for payout eligibility The mechanics of both rules are described on the Challenge & Trading Rules page. Both rules cover every operation on the account — manual and programmatic, across all order types. The option is called API Trading, but its effect is not limited to trading through the API. How it appears in the interface The account card shows an API icon among the connected options, along with a \"Max profit day\" block displaying the current figure for the 30% rule — exactly as on Turbo accounts. If the 60 second adjustment was applied to a close or a partial close, the position history shows the counted result as 0 USD . Hovering on desktop or tapping on mobile brings up an explanation with the reason and the original profit figure. Position and account totals use the adjusted value only. Who it suits The option is for traders working algorithmically: connecting a bot, automating entries and exits, or collecting trading telemetry with their own tools. If you trade manually and have no plans to connect programmatic tools, there is no reason to enable it: you will not use the API access, but the restrictions on the account will still be there. Quick start opening and closing a position in five calls, with ready to run JavaScript and Python scripts Authentication how to get an API key and send it with your requests Conventions number format, the units used by the fields, and how repeated requests are handled Rate limits the cap on how often you can call the API Errors response codes and what they mean Operations a reference of the calls, grouped into Accounts, Configuration and Trading Every call in the reference can be run straight from its page: the API Playground takes your key and parameters, and the send button returns a real response from the platform. The same block holds ready made request code for cURL, JavaScript and Python. Calls made from the reference run on a real account: an order you send is actually created. Try them on a demo account."}