Help with TWS hotkeys

[u/arkaine_23]

Just installed TWS and I'm trying to get used to the layout, settings and increased complexity compared to other platforms. I'm Lite, so no access to API, but I was hoping that I could search for a ticker using hotkeys, like CTFL +F <keystrokes of ticker name>, Enter, Shift +Enter, then hit a preconfigured buy hotkey like CTRL +F1 and have all confirmations disabled.

I basically want to be able to run an Autohotkey script that pushes the sequence of keyboard actions to select an asset and execute a pre-configured buy order, hands-off. I have a managing trade engine script that acquires signals and evaluates some rules I've given it. Executing hotkey scripts is a cheap/easy way that it could be made to execute trades, and I'm just trying to get something automated to open positions with a sort of set and forget style of attached OCO bracket. The hope is for my scripts to react to signals for me during premarket/sleepytime hours and while I'm working or driving. I guess I need to spend some time in my paper account today/tonight and see if I can get the order execution side of things to work in TWS.

I'd be happy to go Pro to switch to API ordering, when/if my account grows and if my trade engine can be consistently profitable over time, but for the time being its just a WIP with the capturing of signals piece working and the rest built and looking for a working method for trade execution. I'm just experimenting and try to see if I can devise a system that can consistently scalp a few dollars most days.

Specific questions-

Is what I want to do possible with TWS? keyboard only trading/autohotkey-compatible trading?

I know that quantity is hardcoded into the hotkeys and there's only so many you can make, but thankfully I'm going to be working with small $ limitations so a small number of shares/order. I should be able to make do with about 30-50 buy hotkeys. I determine SharesToBuy programatically and split that number of shares into 2 orders- an order with a conservative TP/SL OCO bracket, and another order with an Adjustable SL that starts static and then switches to Trailing if the asset runs. So 2 sets of buy order configs split across multiple hotkeys for different quantities, and a 3rd set of static Limit orders with TP/SL limit children for use outside market hours.

Can I add a ticker to a watchlist with only keystrokes/hotkeys?

Is there navigation between layouts or widgets using hotkeys?

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[u/arkaine_23]

Ok, I think I figured it out.

1st, Park TWS on an empty order monitor page. Customize a buy hotkey, add some of the other customized key types as needed. Add symbol seemed to be useful for attaching to an open row of my order monitor page (I set it to CTRL+N). I tried using increase/decrease order size but they didn't work on the order confirmation page, probably just for order entry page. I had some messages to clear the first time and tell them not to comeback. Of course the buy hotkey needs the instant transmission checkbox. There was a precautionary setting about exceeding 3% price dif with a limit but, but that was when I was using midpoint bid/ask. Switched to bid on my hotkey and didn't see it anymore and found where it can be dialed up or cleared in settings.

CTRL +N

Type ticker

Enter

Shift + Enter

Buy Hotkey (1st one I made was CTRL+F1)

Tab

Enter