The connection stays on your machine
OptionTrigger connects to Interactive Brokers through TWS or IB Gateway on the same computer. Keep the broker application logged in and its API connection available. Configure the loopback address, socket port and a client ID in OptionTrigger Desktop.
Follow the API configuration shown in your installed TWS or Gateway version. Do not expose its API port to the public internet.
Confirm the account type
Use an IBKR Paper account first. The application discovers broker accounts and asks you to confirm the inferred account type before activation. Verify the account label in Desktop and on the chart.
Paper and live are properties of the selected account, not separate execution modes. Free accounts can use Paper; a live account requires Premium.
Quotes and entitlements matter
The underlying price feed and option quotes are different inputs. TradingView supplies chart data; broker entitlements govern the available option bid/ask feed. A connected socket alone does not mean a tradable fresh quote exists.
Review connection and branch health before submitting an entry. Delayed, frozen, missing or stale quotes may block order execution.
After a reconnect
The backend reconciles broker orders, executions and positions before releasing its recovery barrier. Some startup catch-up orders require your explicit confirmation. Resolve that prompt in Desktop and inspect any warning instead of assuming every exit is active.