First Run

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

Step 1: Start Rover

Rover manages an account analyzer process for each account and ensures these analyzers stay available if issues occur. Analyzers compute real-time analytics from TWS market data and publish them through NATS, the messaging server, where any number of processes can subscribe.

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

Rover opens with a row pre-filled with defaults (localhost, port 7496, client ID 1).

Note

Rover starts NATS automatically in the background — no separate step required. NATS shuts down cleanly when you quit Rover.

Step 2: 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 3: 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 4: Activate License

When you click Start Account Analyzers 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 5: Start Account Analyzers

1. Click Start Account Analyzers
2. Rover will begin streaming data from TWS

Step 6: Launch OptionsRealTime

Click either of the Web UI buttons on Rover, or open any browser on your network and type the address shown on the button. For example: http://MyMachineName.local:5000

OptionsRealTime reflects:

• All your positions, loaded from TWS
• Live market data for all underlyings and options

Account Number Masking

Account IDs can be masked or unmasked by clicking the settings gear in the upper right corner and toggling Mask Account IDs.

Multiple Windows, Multiple Monitors

Because of the browser-based architecture, you can open OptionsRealTime in as many windows as you need, on any machine on your network. Reports on one screen, charts on another, quotes on a third.

Next Steps

Learn about Components
Every metric, chart, quote, report, and table can be tailored to your workflow.

Multiple Accounts
Add more IBKR accounts.