New member · 10 steps · about 15 minutes

Get your account
trade-ready.

Everything you need to create your TradingView account, set up your charts, and place your first paper trade before the season opens in August.

10
steps
~15 min
setup
$0
cost
$100K
to trade
Intro 01 Account 02 Paper trading 03 Reset $100K 04 Find SPY 05 Watchlist 06 Chart layout 07 5m candles 08 First trade 09 Portfolio 10 Submit Reference
Before you begin

What you need to know

You don’t need any prior knowledge to complete this guide. Read this first.

What is TradingView?
A professional web-based charting platform used by traders and institutions worldwide. It shows live stock prices as interactive charts and has a built-in paper trading simulator. Completely free to sign up, no credit card required.
What is paper trading?
Paper trading runs on real, live market prices with a simulated portfolio. Every price you see is the actual real-world price, so your gains and losses track exactly what would have happened, while you practice and compete without putting any money in.
What you’ll trade
You can trade any stocks or ETFs on TradingView. The club focuses on and teaches SPY (S&P 500 ETF) and QQQ (Nasdaq-100 ETF) as the primary instruments, but the competition is open to all.
Note
Before you start: You need a laptop or desktop with a modern browser (Chrome or Safari recommended). Have your personal email address ready. This setup takes about 15 minutes if you follow the steps in order.
STEP01
Create a TradingView Account
Sign up at tradingview.com using your personal email. The free Basic plan has everything you need, do not pay for anything.
1
Go to tradingview.com
Open tradingview.com in your browser. You’ll see a homepage with charts and a navigation bar at the top.
2
Click “Sign Up” in the top-right corner
A sign-up dialog will appear. You can sign up with Google, Apple, or email, use your personal email.
3
Enter your email and create a password
Use a strong password and save it somewhere. You’ll need to log in to this account every week for the entire semester.
4
Verify your email address
TradingView sends a verification email. Open your school inbox and click the verification link. Check your spam folder if you don’t see it within 2 minutes.
5
Select the free (Basic) plan when prompted
TradingView will show plan options. Choose the free Basic plan. Do not enter any payment information. The free plan has everything required for the club.
Screenshot: TradingView sign-up page
Add a screenshot of the sign-up form here
Done
Done when: You can log in to tradingview.com and see a chart on screen. Your email appears in the top-right corner.
STEP02
Enable Paper Trading
Activate TradingView’s paper trading mode. This turns on the simulation layer where all club trades happen.
1
Open any chart in TradingView
Click “Chart” in the top nav bar or click the TradingView logo to get to a full-screen chart.
2
Find the Paper Trading toggle in the bottom toolbar
Look at the very bottom of the chart screen. There is a horizontal toolbar. Find the text that says Paper Trading, it’s a button or toggle on the bottom-left area.
3
Click the Paper Trading toggle to activate it
Click it. It will turn blue and a panel will expand at the bottom of your screen showing your virtual account, positions, and portfolio. Paper trading is now active.
4
Confirm the bottom panel is showing
You should see tabs like “Positions,” “Orders,” and “Portfolio” at the bottom. The Paper Trading toggle should be highlighted blue. If it’s gray, paper trading is off.
Screenshot: Paper Trading toggle (blue/active) in the bottom toolbar
Add a screenshot showing the Paper Trading toggle highlighted blue with the bottom panel visible
Important
Important: Paper trading does not stay on between sessions automatically. Always check the toggle is blue before you trade.
STEP03
Reset Your Balance to $100,000
Every club member starts with exactly $100,000. You need to reset your paper trading account before placing any trades.
1
Confirm paper trading is enabled (blue toggle)
The Paper Trading toggle must be blue and the bottom panel must be visible.
2
Click the gear icon in the Paper Trading panel
Find the small gear or settings icon in the top-right area of the Paper Trading bottom panel. Click it to open settings.
3
Select “Reset Paper Trading Account”
A menu will appear. Click Reset Paper Trading Account. A field will appear where you can enter a starting balance.
4
Type exactly 100000 and confirm
In the balance field, type 100000 (no commas, no dollar sign). Click Confirm. Your virtual account will update to show $100,000.00.
Screenshot: Reset dialog with $100,000 entered
Add a screenshot of the reset dialog showing 100000 entered, or the Paper Trading panel confirming the $100,000 balance
Important
Do this before your first trade. If you trade before resetting, TradingView’s default amount (often $10K or $50K) will throw off your leaderboard position from Week 1.
Note
Reset rule: You get one reset during the entire season. A mid-season reset starts you at $90,000, not $100,000. This initial setup reset does not count against that limit.
STEP04
Search for SPY
Open a chart for SPY, the S&P 500 ETF. This is the primary instrument you’ll be trading all semester.
SPY, S&P 500 ETF
Tracks the S&P 500, the 500 largest US companies by market cap. When you hear “the market went up today,” SPY is usually what people mean. Ticker: AMEX:SPY
QQQ, Nasdaq-100 ETF
Tracks the Nasdaq-100, the top 100 tech-heavy companies. Apple, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Google are its biggest holdings. More volatile than SPY. Ticker: NASDAQ:QQQ
1
Click the search bar at the top of TradingView
The search bar is at the top-center of the chart. Click it (or press /) to open the search dialog.
2
Type “SPY” and select AMEX:SPY
A dropdown will show several results. Select SPY, AMEX, SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust. Do not select a futures contract, CFD, or option.
3
Confirm SPY loads on the chart
The chart should update to show SPY price data. During market hours (9:30am–4pm ET, weekdays), the price updates in real time. Outside market hours, the chart shows the last closing price.
Screenshot: Search results showing AMEX:SPY selected
Add a screenshot of the search dropdown with AMEX:SPY highlighted
STEP05
Import the IA Stock Simulation Club Watchlist
A watchlist lets you switch between SPY and QQQ in one click. Import the club’s pre-built watchlist so you never have to search again.
1
Open the IA Stock Simulation Club watchlist link
Visit: tradingview.com/watchlists/200225010
This opens a shared watchlist with SPY and QQQ pre-loaded. This link is also in the Resources section on the club website.
2
Click “Save to my watchlists”
TradingView will prompt you to save this to your account. Click Save. The watchlist will now appear in your Watchlist panel as “Club ETFs.”
3
Open the Watchlist panel on the right sidebar
On the right side of TradingView, click the watchlist icon (looks like a list with a chart). You should see “Club ETFs” with SPY and QQQ inside.
4
Click SPY or QQQ to switch charts instantly
From now on, clicking either ticker in the watchlist immediately loads that chart. This is how you’ll switch between SPY and QQQ during trading sessions.
Screenshot: Club ETFs watchlist in the right sidebar
Add a screenshot showing the watchlist panel with SPY and QQQ visible under “Club ETFs”
STEP06
Import the IA Stock Simulation Club Chart Layout
Load the standard club chart with all four indicators pre-configured. Every member uses this same layout so workshops are easy to follow.
The Club Standard Layout includes:
EMA 9, Fast moving average (red)
EMA 21, Slow moving average (blue)
VWAP, Volume-weighted avg price (amber)
Volume, Bar chart below candles
1
Open the IA Stock Simulation Club chart layout link
Visit: tradingview.com/chart/bHhSp3wA
This link is also in the Resources section on the club website.
2
Click “Save to my layouts”
TradingView will prompt you to save a copy. Click Save. Your copy is now independent, any changes you make won’t affect other members.
3
Verify all four indicators appear on the chart
You should see: a red line (EMA 9), a blue line (EMA 21), an amber line (VWAP), and a volume bar chart at the bottom. If anything is missing, re-save the layout from the link above.
4
Don’t modify the layout before Meeting 1
Meeting 1 will walk through what each indicator means and how to use it. For now, keep it as-is.
Screenshot: SPY chart with Club Standard Layout (all 4 indicators visible)
Add a screenshot showing the SPY chart with the red EMA 9, blue EMA 21, amber VWAP, and volume bars
STEP07
Set Your Chart to 5-Minute Candles
The Club Standard Layout defaults to 5-minute candles. Confirm this is set, it’s the timeframe used in all club workshops.
1
Find the timeframe selector in the top toolbar
Near the top of the chart you’ll see timeframe buttons: 1m, 3m, 5m, 15m, 30m, 1H, 4H, 1D. The active one is highlighted.
2
Click “5m”
Click 5m to set the chart to 5-minute candles. Each candle now represents 5 minutes of price movement. The 5m button will highlight when active.
3
Understand what each candle shows
Each candle displays four values: open (where the 5 minutes started), close (where it ended), high (highest point), and low (lowest point). Green candle = closed higher than it opened. Red = closed lower.
Screenshot: Chart timeframe selector with 5m highlighted
Add a screenshot of the top toolbar with 5m selected
Tip
Other useful timeframes: The 5m chart is ideal for short-term trade decisions. The 1D (daily) chart is great for drawing support and resistance levels. You’ll learn when to use each in later workshops.
STEP08
Place Your First Paper Trade
Buy 10 shares of SPY, watch your P&L update in real time, and close the position. This is the core loop you’ll repeat all semester.
1
Confirm paper trading is enabled (blue toggle)
Check the bottom bar. The Paper Trading toggle must be blue before placing any trade.
2
Right-click anywhere on the SPY chart
A context menu will appear. This is the primary way to place trades in TradingView Paper Trading.
3
Hover over “Trade” and click “Buy Market”
In the context menu, hover over Trade to see a submenu. Click Buy Market to place a market order at the current price.
4
Set quantity to 10 shares and place the order
In the order dialog, type 10 in the quantity field. Leave everything else as default. Click Place Order. The order executes immediately at the current market price.
5
Watch your P&L update in the Positions tab
In the Paper Trading panel at the bottom, click the Positions tab. Your SPY position appears with entry price, current price, quantity, and live P&L. As SPY’s price moves, the number updates in real time.
6
Close the position
Right-click the chart → Trade → Close Position. Or in the Positions tab, click the X next to your SPY position. The position closes at the current price and P&L is realized.
Screenshot: Open SPY position in Positions tab with live P&L
Add a screenshot of the Paper Trading bottom panel with an open SPY position and its P&L visible
Tip
You can trade any stock or ETF on TradingView. The club focuses on and teaches SPY and QQQ, but there are no instrument restrictions in the competition. All trades affect your paper balance and leaderboard value.
STEP09
View Your Portfolio and P&L
Learn to read your Paper Trading portfolio. This is the screen you will screenshot every Sunday for your weekly P&L submission.
1
Enable paper trading and open the bottom panel
Click the Paper Trading toggle until it turns blue. The bottom panel will expand.
2
Click the “Portfolio” tab
The bottom panel has tabs: Positions, Orders, History, and Portfolio. Click Portfolio. This shows your total virtual account value and return since your starting balance.
3
Identify your total account value
The Portfolio tab shows your total account value. This is what matters for the leaderboard. When you started, this was $100,000.00. Every trade moves this number up or down.
4
Practice taking a screenshot of the Portfolio tab
Windows: Win + Shift + S. Mac: Cmd + Shift + 4. The screenshot must clearly show your account value. This is exactly what you’ll submit every Sunday night.
Screenshot: Portfolio tab showing total account value (~$100,000)
Add a screenshot of the Portfolio tab. This is an example of what weekly submission screenshots should look like.
STEP10
Submit Your Weekly P&L Report
Every Sunday by 11:59pm ET you must submit a screenshot of your Portfolio tab. This is how Krishna updates the leaderboard every Monday.
1
Set a recurring Sunday phone alarm for 9pm
You have until 11:59pm ET. Don’t leave this until Monday morning, late submissions receive the prior week’s value with no update, no exceptions.
2
Open TradingView and go to the Portfolio tab
Enable paper trading (blue toggle), then click the Portfolio tab. Make sure your total account value is clearly visible.
3
Take a clear screenshot of the Portfolio tab
Your screenshot must show: (1) your TradingView username, (2) the Portfolio tab is active, (3) your current total account value is legible.
4
Open the IA Stock Simulation Club Weekly P&L Submission Form
Go to: P&L Submission Form
5
Fill in all fields and submit
Full Name (as on the club roster) · TradingView Username · Current Portfolio Value (numbers only, e.g. 103450) · Trades This Week (from your History tab) · Portfolio Screenshot (upload the screenshot). All fields required.
Important
Minimum trades: You must place at least 3 trades per week to stay on the leaderboard. Miss 2 consecutive weeks without telling a Partner and you’ll be removed. You can rejoin in Season 2.
Done
Setup complete! You have finished all 10 steps. You’re ready for Season 1. See you at Meeting 1 in August.
Quick reference

Everything at a glance

Weekly P&L deadline
Miss this = no leaderboard update that week
Sunday 11:59pm ET
Every week, AugAug–Decndash;May
Competition Rules
Starting balance$100,000
InstrumentsAny stocks & ETFs
Club focusSPY + QQQ
Short selling✓ Allowed
Overnight holds✓ Allowed
Options / leveraged ETFs✕ Not allowed
Max position size30% of portfolio
Min trades / week3 trades
Account reset1× per season (→ $90K)
Chart Layout
EMA 9 (red)Fast moving average
EMA 21 (blue)Slow moving average
VWAP (amber)Daily avg with volume
Volume (gray)Bars below chart
Standard timeframe5-minute candles
Watchlist linkOpen →
Layout linkOpen →
Weekly Checklist
  • Place 3+ trades on any stock or ETF (SPY and QQQ recommended)
  • Sunday evening: open TradingView
  • Enable Paper Trading (blue toggle)
  • Open the Portfolio tab
  • Take a screenshot showing account value
  • Submit the form by 11:59pm ET
Key Links
Weekly P&L FormSubmit →
Club WatchlistOpen →
Club Chart LayoutOpen →
Club WebsiteVisit →
ContactEmail us
FAQ

Common questions

If yours isn’t here, email iastocktrading@gmail.com or ask at Meeting 1.

What if my portfolio drops below zero?+
Going negative won’t lock your account, you can keep trading. You have one reset available if you want to start fresh at $90,000. Think carefully before using it: a negative balance can recover with good trades, but the reset penalty is permanent for the season.
Can I trade stocks other than SPY and QQQ?+
Yes, you can trade any stock or ETF available on TradingView. There are no instrument restrictions in the competition. However, the club’s workshops, challenges, and educational content are all built around SPY and QQQ, so sticking to those will make it easier to apply what you learn in meetings.
Can I hold a position over the weekend?+
Yes. The club allows overnight and weekend holds. If you hold SPY over the weekend and it gaps up or down at Monday’s market open, that P&L counts toward your leaderboard value. This is a strategic choice, holding over scheduled macro events carries more risk.
What if I miss a week of submitting?+
Missing one submission means your leaderboard value stays at last week’s number, no update, for better or worse. Missing two consecutive weeks without telling a Partner gets you removed from the leaderboard. If you know you’ll be away, message us in advance.
When is the market open?+
The US stock market is open Monday through Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm ET. TradingView paper trading only fills orders at live prices during market hours. Orders placed outside of market hours execute at the open price on the next trading day.
Who do I contact if something isn’t working?+
For TradingView technical issues, contact Krishna Osgood at iastocktrading@gmail.com. For competition rule questions, contact Nasir Sodiq. For everything else, contact Phoenix Vance.
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