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Demo (testnet) vs live#

HookTrader supports both Binance Futures testnet ("demo" / "paper") and mainnet ("live") keys. A single user can hold one of each per exchange.

Where the keys come from#

Mode Where to generate the key Funds
demo testnet.binancefuture.com Free, faucet-funded test USDT
live Your real Binance account (binance.com) Your real margin balance

The two systems are completely separate — testnet keys won't authenticate against mainnet and vice versa. HookTrader picks the correct system based on the mode you select when saving the key. There's no way to "accidentally" point a demo key at mainnet.

What's different on testnet#

  • Order book and price feed are independent of mainnet. A symbol's testnet price can drift meaningfully from mainnet, especially during volatile periods.
  • Liquidity is thin. Slippage on the same nominal qty is usually worse than mainnet.
  • Fills are simulated but follow the same matching rules. Partial fills, post-only rejections, and price-precision errors behave the same way you'd see live.
  • Some testnet behaviours differ from mainnet — HookTrader handles these automatically, nothing for you to do.

The auto TP source#

If your indicator generates tp_hit alerts from mainnet price action and you forward them to a testnet position, the testnet price might not have reached that level yet. To avoid TP actions firing on positions that haven't actually crossed the level, webhooks default to tp_source: auto, which resolves to:

  • platform for demo keys — TPs run only when HookTrader's own (testnet) price feed crosses the level. The TradingView alert is logged as advisory.
  • webhook for live keys — TPs run on the TradingView alert.

See Strategies → TP source for details.

Workflow we recommend#

  1. Add a demo key.
  2. Wire up your indicator end-to-end on a paper webhook. Watch real fills land in Live Trades and History.
  3. When you're satisfied, add a live key.
  4. Create a new strategy bound to the live key. Don't repoint the paper strategy — keep them side-by-side so you can A/B.
  5. Use Reset History on the demo exchange detail page to clear test trades before going to production with the same indicator settings.