If you’d like help installing RuleTrader, please contact us and include your phone number and a time that would be convenient for you, between 8:00am and 1:00pm.

Please note that you’ll need a copy of Legacy ShareScope Plus or Pro installed on your machine, before you begin the RuleTrader installation. This should be at least ShareScope v7.7.2 (you can check this by going to ShareScope’s menu option Help > About ShareScope)

1. In the email we sent to you, titled ‘Your new RuleTrader subscription’, please make a note of your license number and click on the ‘RuleTrader Installer’ link to download the installer. Alternatively, click here to go to your Subscriptions page. If you’re not already logged in to your RuleTrader web account, then this will take you to the log-in page instead, so please log in. Then to get to the Subscriptions page, click the account icon (looks like an outline of a head and shoulders) in the top-right corner of the page, then click subscriptions on the menu.

On the Subscription page, click View Transactions, then click on your order number. On the next screen you’ll see your license key and a button to download the installer.

2. To begin the installation, please shut ShareScope down, if it’s open, then double-click the downloaded installer file (called RuleTrader_Installer) to execute it.
3. At this point, Windows may show one or two security warnings, both of which can be ignored:
   1. The first warning will say ‘Windows protected your PC’. Simply click ‘More info’ then ‘Run anyway’. There is no danger to your PC; it simply takes time to get new software cleared by Microsoft. Thank you for your understanding.
   2. The second warning is the standard ‘User Account Control’ warning that appears for any new installation; please just click ‘Yes’.
4. When the RuleTrader Installer opens, just follow the installation Wizard’s instructions. When you are asked to specify the installation directory, please ensure you pick the directory where ShareScope is installed, which is often C:\ShareScope.

Now that RuleTrader’s installed on your PC, please follow these steps to install RuleTrader’s two layouts into ShareScope. These layouts provide the windows through which you’ll interact with RuleTrader:

5. If it hasn’t automatically restarted, then please restart ShareScope now. Then click on ShareScope’s menu option: Comms > Disconnect from intraday feed, which will make the installation easier for you.
6. Next, click ShareScope’s menu option: Tools > Options…, to open the ShareScope Options dialog, then select the ShareScript tab. Uncheck the option ‘Prompt me if scripts run for a long time without terminating’. This will prevent ShareScope interrupting the installation process.
7. Now click ShareScope’s menu option: Window > Save and restore layouts > Load layout from file
8. In the Load Layout dialog that appears, locate the RuleTrader Live layout, ensure the option Load into a new layout is checked, then press Ok.
9. Wait for the RuleTrader Live system to start up and display “The RuleTrader Live session must be initialised for first-time use” in the ShareScript Console. This can be ignored for now.
10. Now repeat steps 8 and 9 but this time select the RuleTrader Test layout for installation.
11. After RuleTrader Test is initialised, the License Activation dialog is displayed. Please enter your license number (see step 1 above) and phone number. Your phone number is optional but recommended, as it will save you entering it in the future, if you have a support request. It will only ever be used for that purpose.

That’s it! RuleTrader is now fully installed. If you wish, you can now click on ShareScope’s menu option: Comms > Connect to intraday feed to reenable the feed. This is always a good idea, as RuleTrader depends on this feed to perform automatic tasks, such as saving your files and reevaluating your live system’s trading rules, every time new data comes in.

The two layouts you’ve just installed, RuleTrader Test and RuleTrader Live, represent the two halves of RuleTrader. You can switch between them using ShareScope’s Window > Change Layout menu options or, if it’s enabled, the ShareScope Layouts toolbar (usually located at the top or bottom of the ShareScope window), whose buttons should now include buttons for RuleTrader Test and RuleTrader Live.

• RuleTrader Test is where you’ll develop, test and enhance your automated investment system, using RuleTrader’s intuitive, easy to use Wizard and powerful back-testing and reporting facilities. No programming required!
• Once you’re happy with your system you’ll import it into RuleTrader Live. Here it will automatically generate the signals you need to quickly and easily find new investment opportunities and monitor your existing positions.

Please feel free to customise the layouts and add any new windows you wish, but please do not delete the main Chart or Share List window, or the columns in that window, as these are all required for RuleTrader’s correct operation. If you need help to fix a missing column or window, please refer to the Trouble Shooting section of this site or contact our support staff.

RuleTrader’s controls are accessed (in either RuleTrader layout) by clicking the Dashboard button on the panel in the top left-hand corner of the main chart window. If no buttons are visible, just click the ‘+’ icon on the panel to expand it (the Start Live button will be relabelled Dashboard, once you’re ready to start the Live system).

Comprehensive instructions are available in the online help system and manual. A good starting point is our First Steps page.

Please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly support staff if there is anything we can help you with. You can contact us by by calling 01865 582 289, or by clicking here, or by using the Contact Support button on the Technical Support tab of the RuleTrader Dashboard, or by using any of the methods detailed here. Our support service is available between the hours of 8am and 1pm.