Getting Started

Learn how to set up your TraderVault account and log your first trade

Getting Started with TraderVault

Welcome to TraderVault, your professional trading journal. This guide will help you set up your account and log your first trade.

Creating Your Account

Step 1: Sign Up

  1. Go to tradervault.io
  2. Click Get Started or Sign Up
  3. Enter your email address and create a password
  4. Click Create Account

Step 2: Verify Your Email

  1. Check your inbox for a verification email from TraderVault
  2. Click the Verify Email button in the email
  3. You'll be redirected back to TraderVault

Step 3: Complete Your Profile

  1. Enter your first name
  2. Choose your trading experience level
  3. Select your primary trading style (day trading, swing, position, etc.)

Your 14-Day Free Trial

Your account includes a 14-day free trial with access to all features:

  • Unlimited trade logging
  • Multiple journals
  • Broker connections
  • Advanced analytics
  • Price alerts
  • Daily/weekly email summaries

No credit card required to start. You'll receive a reminder email before your trial ends.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Protect your trading data with an extra layer of security:

  1. Go to Settings > Security
  2. Click Enable MFA
  3. Scan the QR code with your authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy, etc.)
  4. Enter the 6-digit code to confirm
  5. Save your backup codes in a safe place

Understanding the Dashboard

When you log in, you'll see your Dashboard with:

Section What It Shows
Stats Cards Today's P&L, win rate, total trades
Recent Trades Your last 5 trades
Open Positions Currently held positions
Quick Actions Log trade, connect broker, create alert

Logging Your First Trade

Method 1: Manual Entry

  1. Click + New Trade on the dashboard or journal page
  2. Fill in the trade details:
  3. Symbol: Stock ticker (e.g., AAPL, TSLA)
  4. Side: Long (buy) or Short (sell)
  5. Entry Price: Price you bought/sold at
  6. Quantity: Number of shares
  7. Entry Date: When you opened the position
  8. Click Save Trade
  1. Go to Settings > Broker Connections
  2. Click Connect Broker
  3. Select your broker (Schwab, Alpaca, TD Ameritrade, etc.)
  4. Authorize the connection through SnapTrade
  5. Your positions will automatically sync

See the Broker Connections Guide for detailed setup.

Key Concepts

Journals

TraderVault supports multiple journals to organize your trading:

  • Main Journal: Your default journal for live trades
  • Paper Trading: Practice trades without real money
  • Strategy Journals: Separate journals for different strategies

You can switch journals using the dropdown in the sidebar.

Playbooks

Playbooks are trading checklists you create:

  • Pre-trade checklist (setup criteria)
  • Entry rules
  • Exit rules
  • Risk management guidelines

Attach playbooks to trades to track which strategies work best.

Trade Status

Status Meaning
Open Position is currently active
Closed Position has been exited
Partial Some shares closed, some still open

Essential Settings

Notifications

Control what emails you receive:

  1. Go to Settings > Notifications
  2. Toggle on/off:
  3. Daily trading summary
  4. Weekly performance report
  5. Price alerts
  6. Trial/billing notifications

Default Journal

Set which journal new trades go to by default:

  1. Go to Journal page
  2. Click the journal dropdown
  3. Click the star icon next to your preferred default

Quick Tips for New Users

  1. Log every trade - Even small ones. Data = insights.
  2. Add notes - Write what you were thinking. Review later.
  3. Use tags - Categorize trades (momentum, earnings, breakout, etc.)
  4. Check weekly reports - Review your email summaries every weekend.
  5. Connect your broker - Auto-sync saves time and reduces errors.

Getting Help

Next Steps

Now that you're set up, explore these guides:

  1. Dashboard Overview
  2. Trade Journal
  3. Connecting Your Broker
  4. Understanding Analytics

Happy trading!