3 · Connect your accounts
Chapter 3

Connect your accounts

Link MetaTrader, cTrader, Rithmic or a crypto exchange, understand what each kind of link allows, and follow the connection until live tracking.

5 min read · Version 1.2.51 · updated 29 September 2026

By the end of this chapter, you will know how to
  • Add an account from each platform
  • Choose between the master password and the investor password
  • Read the state of a connection and fix one that fails
  • Archive an account without losing its history

What each platform allows

Every account feeds the journal. The terminal, the copier and automated strategies also need to place orders: it all depends on the platform and on how the account is linked.

PlatformJournalTerminalCopierStrategies
MetaTrader 4 / 5, master passwordYesYesMaster and followerYes
MetaTrader 4 / 5, investor passwordYesNoNoNo
cTraderYesYesMaster and followerNo
Rithmic (CME futures)YesYesMaster and followerYes
Crypto exchangeYesNoNoNo

To start: Profile and Social > Accounts > Add a new account, then choose the Account type.

MetaTrader

Kara opens your account in a MetaTrader terminal hosted on its own servers. That is what gives it the floating data of your positions (floating gain and drawdown, MAE and MFE), and what lets it keep tracking the account while your computer is off. Your credentials are encrypted on Kara's servers; the connection is automated and nobody on the team looks at them.

  1. 1
    Choose the MetaTrader type.
  2. 2
    Fill in Login, Broker and Server.

    If your broker or server is not in the list, type its exact name: it is case-sensitive. The server name is in your account opening email and in MetaTrader.

  3. 3
    Choose the Password type, Master or Investor, then enter it.
  4. 4
    If it is a prop-firm account, give the firm, the phase and the challenge size.

    Kara often recognises the firm from the broker. This information drives challenge tracking, see Prop firms and challenges.

  5. 5
    Confirm, then follow the connection on the account card.
Master password
Lets Kara place orders: terminal, copier, automated strategies, and closes decided by the risk engine. Required as soon as you use the copier.
Investor password
Read-only. The journal works, but the broker refuses every order: the terminal replies that the account is linked read-only.

Follow the connection

The account card shows the current step. A normal connection goes through these steps, in this order:

  1. 1
    Queued
  2. 2
    Terminal reserved, then Starting the terminal
  3. 3
    Connecting to the broker, then Account authorized by the broker
  4. 4
    Configuring the terminal, then Terminal ready, connecting to Kara
  5. 5
    Kara connected, synchronizing
  6. 6
    Live tracking: the account is linked and its history comes in.

When the connection fails

MessageWhat to do
Credentials refused by the brokerCheck the login, the password and the server, then edit the account.
Account disabled or blocked at the brokerTalk to your broker or prop firm: Kara cannot fix it.
Server unreachableThe name entered is not recognised, or the server does not answer: check its exact name.
The terminal stopped unexpectedlyNothing: a new attempt starts automatically.
The terminal is connected but Kara receives nothingNothing: a new attempt starts automatically.
Automatic setup failed, service unavailable, internal errorThe team is notified. If nothing has moved after a day, write to support.

cTrader

  1. 1
    Choose the cTrader type, then the cTrader sign-in button.
  2. 2
    Authorise Kara on cTrader's sign-in page.

    The link goes through cTrader's official authorisation: your cTrader password is never typed into Kara.

  3. 3
    Back in Kara, the accounts attached to your cTrader ID are listed: link the ones you want to track.

Rithmic (CME futures)

Rithmic gives access to your CME futures accounts. Your credentials are only used to open the connection to Rithmic's servers; Kara's server holds that session and places your orders on it, with no terminal to install.

  1. 1
    Choose the Rithmic type, then your Rithmic system in the list.
  2. 2
    Enter your Rithmic user ID and your password.

    The ID comes from your broker or prop firm (AMP, Apex, Topstep…). It is case-sensitive.

  3. 3
    Click Verify my credentials.
  4. 4
    Select the accounts to link, then Link selected accounts.

    One ID can hold several accounts: Kara lists them all, with a search box. You can link as many as your subscription allows.

If the Rithmic connection drops, the account card says so and Kara reconnects automatically.

Crypto exchange

  1. 1
    Choose the Crypto type, then your exchange.
  2. 2
    Enter the API keys the exchange gave you, in the fields it asks for.
  3. 3
    Confirm: trades and holdings come into the journal.

The Accounts page

Your accounts sit in three groups, which you can filter:

Active
An open position, or a position closed within the last three weeks. An account you have just added stays here while it connects.
Almost inactive
Last position closed three weeks to a month ago.
Inactive
Nothing for over a month, or an archived account.
  • Reorder: the arrows on the card move the account in the list.
  • Archive: the account no longer counts towards your subscription and is no longer tracked, but its data stays for your journal, your All-Data account and your rank. Unarchive reverses it, within your active account limit.
  • Copier master account: it cannot be archived. Replace or remove it in the copier first.
  • Delete: a trading account is not deleted from the application, it is archived. For a permanent deletion, write to support.