Welcome to the testing phase! Below is a list of tasks to help guide you through testing the Ladder Trader® features. Please complete each task and report any issues or bugs you encounter. But by no means should this list be the only tests of the Ladder Trader®. If you do not see something on the following list that needs to be tested, by all means, test it! Your detailed feedback on both functionality and user experience is required and appreciated.
TIP: Record your screen when testing if you can. This can help you to recreate a problem or bug in case you do not know or remember what the steps were that caused the issue.
Ladder Trader Documentation
1. Launch and Setup:
If available, open a NinjaTrader Static SuperDOM next to the Ladder Trader® to compare performance. Make sure settings are the same on each.
- Open the Ladder Trader® and verify that it launches without errors.
- Test resizing the Ladder Trader® window to see if all elements adjust correctly.
- Confirm that you can connect to your data feed/broker and that prices update in real time.
- Confirm that you can run the Ladder Trader® s connected to your playback connection with replay data.
- Switch between data sources and feeds many times to see if any errors or unexpected results occur.
- Check that the Ladder Trader® remains stable (no crashes or freezes) when left open for an extended period or overnight.
2. Bid and Ask Columns (Buy and Sell Columns)
- Confirm that the bid and ask prices update in real time.
- Ensure that the bid and ask quantities update dynamically as market activity changes.
- Verify that the Ladder Trader® moves smoothly with market fluctuations and updates accurately.
3. Placing and Managing Orders
- Place a market order: Ensure that it executes immediately at the current market price.
- Place a limit order: Set an order at a specific price on the Ladder Trader®. Verify that the order is correctly placed and appears in the order column.
- Place a stop order (middle mouse button): Enter a stop order and ensure it behaves as expected when the market moves through the stop price.
- Reassign Buttons: From the options menu (right click on Ladder>Options) reassign the left and middle mouse buttons and test.
- Modify an existing order by click then dragging it up or down the Price Ladder and clicking to set the order. Ensure that the modification is accurately reflected in the Static SuperDOM and executed accordingly.
- Cancel an order: Test canceling orders individually by clicking the cancel button (X) next to the order. Ensure the order is removed instantly.
- Right click on Ladder Trader® and select “Flatten Everything” to ensure all orders on all instruments are cancelled.
- Change the quantity of standing limit orders.
4. Brackets and OCO Orders (One-Cancels-the-Other)
- Set up a bracket order (with stop-loss and take-profit targets). Verify that the bracket appears correctly and executes as expected when the order fills.
- Place an OCO order and ensure that if one side of the order is filled, the other is automatically canceled.
- Modify the bracket orders (e.g., adjusting stop or profit levels). Ensure that changes are reflected correctly.
5. Real-Time Data and Pricing
- Verify that the Ladder Trader® updates smoothly with real-time price movements.
- Cross-check the displayed prices and quantities with static SuperDOM (if possible) to ensure accuracy.
- Test the Ladder Trader® under different market conditions (low and high volatility) to confirm consistent and accurate performance.
6. Order Types and Advanced Functions
- Test various order types (limit, stop, stop limit, market, etc.) and ensure that each behaves as expected.
- Use the “flatten” feature to instantly close all open positions and cancel all pending orders. Verify that all positions are closed and orders removed.
- Test the "reverse" feature to flip the position (from long to short or short to long). Ensure the new position is entered and correctly displayed in the DOM.
7. Performance Under Load
- Open multiple Ladder Traders® for different instruments and ensure that they all update and perform well without lag.
- Monitor performance when there is high market activity or volatility. Ensure the Ladder Trader® remains responsive and accurate under heavy data load.
8. Customization Options
- Change the Ladder Trader® settings by right clicking on the Ladder and selecting Properties. Ensure that all customizations are applied and saved.
- Test the “Show market depth” and try different levels to show.
- Change PnL display units and ensure they are correctly being displayed.
9. User Interface and Visuals
- Ensure that all visual elements (Price Ladder, columns, buttons) are aligned properly and scale correctly when the window is resized.
- Check that colors and fonts remain readable and visually consistent, even under different custom themes (if applicable).
- Ensure that order placement markers, stop-loss, and take-profit levels are visually distinct and easy to interpret.
- Test different NinjaTrader Skins to ensure the Ladders update to the new skin.
10. Trade History and Logging
- Check that all order activity (placed, modified, canceled, executed) is accurately logged in the trade history.
- Ensure that trade reports show accurate details like entry/exit prices, order size, and timestamps.
- Verify that you can export the trade history and logs without issues.
11. Error Handling
- Deliberately disconnect from the internet or data feed, then reconnect. Confirm that the Ladder Trader® handles the disconnection smoothly and recovers without needing a restart.
- Test placing orders during a disconnection and confirm that the software provides clear error messages and prevents order placement.
- Ensure that all error messages (for order failures, data issues, etc.) are clear and easy to understand.
12. Closing and Reopening
- Close the Ladder Trader® and reopen it. Ensure that any saved settings or customizations persist after restarting the software.
- Confirm that no error messages or unexpected behavior occur when reopening the Ladder Trader®.
13. Save and Restart
- Save workspaces and restart them and make sure the ladders reopen as they closed.
- Restart NinjaTrader with data connected and Ladder Trader® s running to see if NT restarts correctly and Ladders are as you left them.
Please complete each of these tasks during your beta testing and submit any feedback or bug reports through the feedback tool. If you experience any crashes, performance issues, or unexpected behavior, remember to include details like steps to reproduce the issue and screenshots. Thank you for your help!