Hey everyone,
I’m trying to figure out a way to automate my futures trading on thinkorswim. The problem is, they don’t offer API support, which makes things tricky.
Has anyone here managed to create a headless browser bot or found another workaround for this? I’m thinking maybe something with Selenium or Puppeteer could work, but I’m not sure where to start.
I’d really appreciate any tips, code snippets, or even just pointing me in the right direction. It would be awesome to set up some automated trades without having to manually input everything.
Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!
As someone who’s spent countless hours tinkering with automation on thinkorswim, I can tell you it’s a tricky beast without official API support. I’ve had some success using Python with PyAutoGUI for screen recognition and mouse/keyboard control. It’s not perfect, but it gets the job done for basic automation tasks.
The key is to create robust error handling and recovery mechanisms. Your script needs to be smart enough to recognize when something’s off and adjust accordingly. I’ve found that taking periodic screenshots and using image recognition to verify the current state of the platform helps immensely.
One word of caution: be prepared for your scripts to break with updates to thinkorswim’s interface. It’s a constant game of cat and mouse, but that’s part of the challenge. Also, make sure you’re not violating any terms of service. It’s a grey area, so tread carefully.
If you’re serious about automation, you might want to consider platforms that offer proper API access. It’s a lot less headache in the long run. But if you’re set on thinkorswim, start small, be patient, and expect to do a lot of troubleshooting.
I’ve experimented with automating trades on thinkorswim without API access, and while it’s challenging, it’s not impossible. One approach that worked for me was using Selenium WebDriver with Python. It allows you to simulate user interactions on the platform, including logging in, navigating menus, and executing trades.
The key is to carefully map out the DOM elements for each step of your trading process. You’ll need to handle dynamic content loading and potential site changes. I found that using explicit waits and robust element locators improved reliability.
Be aware that this method isn’t perfect. You’ll need to monitor for updates to thinkorswim’s web interface and adjust your script accordingly. Also, consider the ethical and legal implications of automating trades this way. It’s a grey area, so proceed with caution and perhaps consult with a legal expert if you’re unsure.
i tried autohotkey for this, works kinda ok. you gotta set up scripts mimicking mouse clicks and key inputs. be warned: if the interface shifts, the script might fail. keep an eye on trades cos sometimes it glitches. luck!