> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.apeindex.trade/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Trading Modes

> Paper Trading, Live Trading, Manual Mode, and Auto Mode.

## Paper Trading

Paper trading uses a **\$10,000 virtual balance** completely separate from your real funds. Everything works identically to live mode:

* All 8 signal patterns fire and deliver notifications
* Copy Trade mirrors positions using virtual balance
* Stop-loss and take-profit execute automatically on paper positions
* Daily digests include paper P\&L
* Full position history and trade log

**When to use:** Learning the system, testing new patterns, or running parallel strategies risk-free.

```
/settings → Trading Mode → Paper
```

## Live Trading

Uses your real Polygon wallet and USDC balance. Order execution:

1. **FOK (Fill-or-Kill)** — attempts immediate full fill
2. **GTC (Good-Til-Cancelled)** — automatic fallback; polls every 60s

```
/settings → Trading Mode → Live
```

***

## Manual Mode (Default)

Every signal is delivered as a Telegram notification with **Enter Trade / Skip** buttons. You decide each trade individually.

* Full control over every execution
* No automatic spending
* Best for reviewing signals before acting

## Auto Mode

Signals matching enabled patterns are **executed automatically** without confirmation. A notification is always sent after each execution.

* Hands-free execution — never misses a signal
* Sizing governed by your risk configuration
* Enable/disable per pattern independently

<Warning>
  Before enabling Auto Mode, set your **maximum trade amount** to a value you're comfortable with. The terminal executes all qualifying signals up to that limit.
</Warning>

## Per-Pattern Auto Execution

In Auto Mode, enable or disable auto-execution independently for each of the 8 patterns:

```
/settings → Signal Patterns → [Pattern Name] → Auto Execute: On/Off
```

Example: Intersection signals auto-execute (high confidence) while Contrarian requires manual approval (higher risk).

## Switching Modes

```
/settings → Trading Mode → Paper / Live / Manual / Auto
```

Switching modes does not affect already-open positions.