First Run

Now that TWS is configured, let’s start OptionsRealTime and connect to your account.

Step 1: Start NATS

NATS is the messaging server that OptionsRealTime processes use to communicate.

1. Open the OptionsRealTime folder on your desktop
2. Double-click Start NATS

A console window will appear showing:

[INF] Starting nats-server
[INF]   Version:  2.10.16
[INF] Starting JetStream
[INF]     _ ___ _____ ___ _____ ___ ___   _   __  __
[INF]  _ | | __|_   _/ __|_   _| _ \ __| /_\ |  \/  |
[INF] | || | _|  | | \__ \ | | |   / _| / _ \| |\/| |
[INF]  \__/|___| |_| |___/ |_| |_|_\___/_/ \_\_|  |_|
[INF]
[INF]          https://docs.nats.io/jetstream
[INF]
[INF] ---------------- JETSTREAM ----------------
[INF]   Max Memory:      1.00 GB
[INF]   Max Storage:     50.00 GB
[INF]   Store Directory: "jetstream"
[INF] -------------------------------------------
[INF] Listening for client connections on 127.0.0.1:4222
[INF] Server is ready

Leave this window running.

Tip

Want NATS to start automatically? See NATS as a Service to run it in the background.

Step 2: Start Rover

Rover manages publisher processes for each account and ensures publishers stay available if issues occur (like market data interruptions). Publishers compute real-time analytics from TWS market data and publish them through NATS, where any number of processes can subscribe.

1. In the OptionsRealTime folder, double-click Rover
2. Rover opens with a row pre-filled with defaults (localhost, port 7496, client ID 1)

Step 3: Enter Your Account ID

1. Click on the Account ID field
2. Enter your IBKR account ID (e.g., U1234567)

Note

Adding multiple accounts is covered in Multiple Accounts.

Step 4: Test and Save

1. Click the Test button next to your account
2. You should see PASS if the connection is successful
3. Go to File → Save to save your configuration

Connection Failed?

If the test fails, verify:

• TWS is running and logged in
• API settings are correct (port 7496, sockets enabled)
• No firewall blocking localhost connections

See Troubleshooting for more help.

Step 5: Activate License

When you click Start Publishers for the first time, you’ll see:

Click OK, then go to File → License…:

Click Request 14-Day Trial:

Enter your email (optional - for backup copy of trial key) and click Start Trial →:

Click OK and you’re ready to publish.

Step 6: Start Publishers

Once the connection test passes:

1. Click the Start Publishers button
2. Rover will begin streaming data from TWS

Step 7: Launch OptionsRealTime

1. In the OptionsRealTime folder, double-click OptionsRealTime
2. The Select Account dialog will appear
3. Choose your account from the dropdown
4. Click OK

Account Number Display

By default, account numbers are partially masked for privacy (e.g., U1234****). Use the dropdown below “Select Account” to adjust:

• Show full - Display complete account numbers
• Mask last 2 - Show all but last 2 characters
• Mask last 4 - Show all but last 4 characters (default)

Your preference is saved automatically.

Step 8: View Your Portfolio

OptionsRealTime will now:

1. ✅ Load all your positions from TWS
2. ✅ Subscribe to live market data for all options symbols
3. ✅ Subscribe to underlying symbols for those options

On first launch, you’ll see a default layout. OptionsRealTime includes several pre-built layouts to get you started.

Screen Resolution

The included example Dashboards were designed on a 2560×1440 monitor. If panels appear off-screen or too large, use Dashboard → Layout → Fit To Screen Width to adjust for your resolution.

You’re Done! 🎉

You now have live portfolio monitoring with real-time Greeks, P&L, and market data.

Multiple Windows, Multiple Monitors

OptionsRealTime allows you to open as many user interfaces as you want to any account. If you have multiple monitors (or even multiple machines!), you can display different views of your accounts in separate windows — reports on one screen, charts on another, quotes on a third.

Next Steps

Learn about the Dashboard and Panels →
Every layout or Dashboard can be custom tailored to your workflow by adding panels such as charts, reports, quotes, metrics or tables.

NATS as a Service →
Run NATS automatically at startup

Multiple Accounts →
Add more IBKR accounts