Getting Started
Who Cortiq Is For
Section titled “Who Cortiq Is For”Cortiq is designed for traders and operators who want a structured AI-assisted workflow around MetaTrader 5 rather than a loose collection of prompts, scripts, and disconnected tools.
It is a fit when you want to:
- Run trading logic through defined playbooks instead of ad hoc prompts
- Operate on Windows with MetaTrader 5 installed locally
- Use one or more AI providers as part of a repeatable trading process
- Control execution with explicit session settings and risk rules
- Review trade outcomes with journals, analytics, and session history
Prerequisites
Section titled “Prerequisites”Before installing Cortiq, make sure you have the following:
- Windows 10 or Windows 11
- MetaTrader 5 installed on the same machine for live trading
- A Cortiq activation key
- Access to at least one supported AI provider or browser-based provider account
- A clear plan for whether your first run should be virtual or live
Recommended First-Day Path
Section titled “Recommended First-Day Path”- Install Cortiq and activate the license on the machine that will run it.
- Connect your MT5 account and confirm the terminal is reachable.
- Configure one AI provider and verify it can respond successfully.
- Create a simple playbook with a narrow scope instead of a broad strategy.
- Start a virtual session before enabling live execution.
- Review the journal and analytics output before scaling the strategy.
If you want this as a guided operator checklist instead of a summary, read First 30 Minutes in Cortiq.
What To Configure Early
Section titled “What To Configure Early”The highest-leverage early decisions are usually these:
| Decision | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Live vs virtual first | Controls whether your first tests affect the market or only your internal review process |
| Single symbol vs AutoScan | Determines whether the AI focuses on one instrument or selects among candidates |
| Local tool or CLI route vs API route | Affects setup effort, traceability, and how the provider is reached from the desktop app |
| Conservative vs aggressive risk limits | Determines how much freedom the session has before it is paused or blocked |
What To Read Next
Section titled “What To Read Next”- Read Capability Reference if you want a practical overview of what each major function is for before you start configuring.
- Read Installation & Activation when you are ready to install.
- Read First 30 Minutes in Cortiq if you want a step-by-step path to your first virtual session.
- Read MetaTrader 5 Integration before attempting live execution.
- Read AI Providers before choosing your provider mode.
- Read Playbooks & Data Packages before building your first serious session.
- Read Workspace and Monitoring once the first session is running so the Home, Dashboard, Journal, and review screens make sense.