TradingAgents/QUICKSTART.md

199 lines
4.7 KiB
Markdown

# 🚀 TradingAgents Quick Start - Get Trading in 5 Minutes
**Too impatient to read the full docs?** We feel you. Let's get you up and running FAST.
## The 30-Second Version
```bash
# 1. Clone and enter
git clone https://github.com/TauricResearch/TradingAgents.git
cd TradingAgents
# 2. Set up environment
cp .env.example .env
nano .env # Add your API keys (we'll help below)
# 3. Run with Docker (easiest)
docker-compose up
# 4. Open http://localhost:8000 and start trading! 🎉
```
**That's it.** Seriously. Now go analyze some stocks!
---
## The 5-Minute Version (For When Things Don't "Just Work")
### Step 1: Get Your API Keys (2 minutes)
You need TWO things minimum:
**1. An LLM Provider** (pick one):
- **Anthropic Claude** (Recommended - best reasoning)
- Sign up: https://console.anthropic.com/
- Get key: Settings → API Keys
- Free tier: $5 credit
- **OpenAI** (Also great)
- Sign up: https://platform.openai.com/
- Get key: API Keys → Create new
- Note: Costs ~$0.10-0.20 per analysis
- **Google Gemini** (Budget option)
- Sign up: https://makersuite.google.com/
- Free tier available!
**2. Market Data**
- **Alpha Vantage** (Free!)
- Get key: https://www.alphavantage.co/support/#api-key
- Just enter your email, instant key
- 500 requests/day free tier
**Optional but Fun:**
- **Alpaca** (For paper trading)
- Sign up: https://alpaca.markets/
- Get $100,000 virtual money
- Practice trading risk-free!
### Step 2: Configure Environment (1 minute)
Edit `.env`:
```bash
# Pick your AI brain
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-... # If using Claude
# OR
OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-... # If using OpenAI
# Market data (required)
ALPHA_VANTAGE_API_KEY=YOUR_KEY_HERE
# Paper trading (optional but recommended)
ALPACA_API_KEY=PK...
ALPACA_SECRET_KEY=...
ALPACA_PAPER_TRADING=true # Keep this true!
```
**Common Mistakes:**
- ❌ Quotes around keys ("sk-...") - Don't use quotes!
- ❌ Spaces before/after equals - Keep it tight: `KEY=value`
- ❌ Forgetting to save the file - We've all done it
### Step 3: Choose Your Adventure (2 minutes)
**Option A: Docker** (Recommended - Zero hassle)
```bash
docker-compose up
# Wait for "Application startup complete"
# Open http://localhost:8000
# Done! 🎉
```
**Option B: Local Install** (If you hate containers)
```bash
pip install -r requirements.txt
chainlit run web_app.py -w
# Open http://localhost:8000
```
**Option C: Command Line** (Old school)
```bash
pip install -e .
python examples/use_claude.py # or use_openai.py
```
---
## Your First Analysis
Once the web UI is open:
```
Type: analyze NVDA
```
Wait 60-90 seconds while our AI agents:
- 📊 Analyze market trends
- 💰 Check fundamentals
- 📰 Read recent news
- 🤖 Debate the best strategy
- ✅ Give you a signal: BUY, SELL, or HOLD
Pretty cool, right?
---
## What Now?
**Paper Trading:**
```
connect # Link to Alpaca
buy NVDA 5 # Buy 5 shares (fake money!)
portfolio # See your positions
```
**Change AI Models:**
```
provider anthropic # Switch to Claude
provider openai # Switch to GPT-4
```
**Get Help:**
```
help # See all commands
```
---
## When Things Go Wrong
**"Analysis failed: API quota limits"**
- You ran out of API credits
- Solution: Check your API provider dashboard
- Anthropic/OpenAI: Add payment method
**"Connection failed: Invalid credentials"**
- Your API key is wrong
- Solution: Double-check .env file
- No spaces, no quotes, correct key
**"Market is closed"**
- Alpaca paper trading follows real market hours
- Solution: Try between 9:30 AM - 4 PM ET, Monday-Friday
- Or use `time_in_force=gtc` for after-hours orders
**"ModuleNotFoundError"**
- Missing dependencies
- Solution: `pip install -r requirements.txt`
**"Docker won't start"**
- Port 8000 already in use
- Solution: `docker-compose down` then `docker-compose up`
---
## Next Steps
- 📖 Read [FEATURES.md](FEATURES.md) for full feature list
- 🐳 Check [DOCKER.md](DOCKER.md) for deployment options
- 📈 Try [examples/](examples/) for code examples
- 🤝 Join our community (GitHub Discussions)
**Most importantly:** Have fun! This is YOUR trading assistant. Experiment, learn, and (with paper trading) make all your mistakes risk-free.
Happy trading! 🚀
---
## Pro Tips
💡 Start with paper trading. Get confident before risking real money.
💡 Claude (Anthropic) is better for complex analysis, GPT-4 is faster.
💡 Check the logs if something weird happens: `docker-compose logs`
💡 The AI isn't always right. Use it as one input, not the only input.
---
**Warning:** This software is for educational purposes. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Don't invest more than you can afford to lose. Seriously.