What Is the Trade Clock?
The Trade Clock is a risk setting in TopstepX that blocks new orders on your account for a set period of time while still letting you manage and exit what you already have open. You choose the duration, and once it is enabled, it stays on until the timer runs out or your positions and working orders are closed.
What You'll Learn
What the Trade Clock does and what it restricts while it is active
When the Trade Clock can be enabled and how to turn it on in Risk Settings
What you can still do with an open position while the timer is running
Why the Trade Clock cannot be turned off early once it is enabled
What the Trade Clock Does
The Trade Clock is a self-applied restriction. When it is active, TopstepX will not accept new orders that would add to your exposure. What remains available is everything you need to manage the position you already have, including protective orders and exits.
In short, the Trade Clock closes the door on adding and leaves the door open on reducing.
Clients who use a structured plan sometimes want a period where adding is simply not possible. The Trade Clock provides that by enforcing the restriction at the platform level rather than relying on you to hold the line manually.
When the Trade Clock Can Be Enabled
The Trade Clock can only be enabled when you have at least one open position or one working order in the market. If your account is flat with no working orders, the option is not available.
How to Enable the Trade Clock
Open the platform settings in TopstepX.
Go to the Risk Settings tab.
Select a Trade Clock duration. Preset options include 1 minute, 2 minutes, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes. Clients can also choose a custom duration.
Select Enable Trade Clock.
Review the confirmation window, which summarizes the lock period and the restrictions that will apply.
Select Enable Trade Clock again to confirm.
Read the confirmation window before you confirm. It is the last point at which you can decide not to proceed, as the clock cannot be turned off early.
What You Can and Cannot Do While the Clock Is Active
You cannot:
Enter new positions
Place new orders that add to your exposure
You can:
Add or modify stop loss orders
Cancel existing working orders
Flatten or exit your current positions
Your ability to reduce or close a position is never restricted by the Trade Clock.
The Trade Clock Cannot Be Turned Off Early
Once you confirm, the Trade Clock is irreversible for that session of use. It stays active until one of two things happens: the duration you selected runs out, or your open positions and working orders are all closed or cancelled.
There is no early cancel and no override. Support cannot adjust this for clients. This is the point of the feature, so choose your duration wisely. If you are unsure how a given length of time will feel in practice, start with one of the shorter presets.
What the Trade Clock Does Not Do
The Trade Clock restricts order entry. It does not manage your position for you, does not place or adjust protective orders on your behalf, and does not limit or prevent losses on the position you already hold. Market risk on an open position continues while the timer runs, and exiting or adjusting that position remains your decision and your responsibility.
The Trade Clock also does not tell you when to trade or how long to wait. The duration you select is your own choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Trade Clock option unavailable?
The Trade Clock can only be enabled when you have at least one open position or working order. If your account is flat with nothing active, the option cannot be used.
Can I turn the Trade Clock off before the timer ends?
No. Once you confirm, it stays active for the full duration you selected or until your positions and working orders are closed or cancelled.
Can I still exit my position while the Trade Clock is running?
Yes. You can flatten or exit positions, cancel working orders, and add or modify stop loss and take profit orders at any time. Only orders that would add to your exposure are blocked.
Need Help?
If you have questions about the Trade Clock or how it applies to your account, contact the Support Team and we'll be happy to assist.