> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.tradealign.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Add a Trading Account

> Set up your first trading account in TradeAlign and prepare to import your trades.

<Warning>
  Before you can use TradeAlign, you must add at least one trading account and import trades. **The rest of the platform will not function without this step.** This setup only needs to be done once per account.
</Warning>

## Step 1: Open settings

1. Click the **Profile Icon** in the bottom-right corner of the platform
2. Select **Settings**

This is where all account-level configuration lives.

## Step 2: Navigate to accounts

Inside Settings, select **Accounts**. This section is used to manage all trading accounts connected to TradeAlign.

## Step 3: Add a new account

1. Click **+ Add Account**
2. You'll be prompted to begin account setup

Each trading account must be added individually.

## Step 4: Select your broker

Choose your broker from the available options:

* **Interactive Brokers** — Multi-asset broker (futures only)
* **NinjaTrader** — Futures trading platform
* **Other Broker** — Any broker not listed above

Your broker selection determines how CSV imports are parsed. If you select a supported broker, TradeAlign auto-detects the CSV format. If you select **Other Broker**, you'll use the manual column mapping flow.

<Note>
  Trading a **prop firm** evaluation or funded account (e.g. Topstep, Tradovate, Apex, Lucid)? Set those up on the dedicated [Prop Firm](/prop-firm/overview) page instead — it tracks the full rule set and lifecycle.
</Note>

## Step 5: Name your account

Enter a **unique name** for the account. Use names that clearly identify the purpose, such as:

* Evaluation Account
* Main Live Account
* Scaling Account

Clear naming helps with review, filtering, and long-term clarity.

## Step 6: Select account type

Choose the type that best describes how the account is used:

| Type             | Description                   |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------- |
| **Live Account** | Real money trading            |
| **Demo**         | Simulated trading environment |
| **Paper**        | Paper trading / practice      |

<Info>
  Account type does **not** limit features or workflows. It exists purely to help you identify and organize your accounts. Prop firm evaluations and funded accounts are tracked separately on the [Prop Firm](/prop-firm/overview) page.
</Info>

## Step 7: Enter starting balance

Enter the **starting balance** for the account in dollars. This value is used for performance tracking and reporting.

## Step 8: Add your trades

After creating the account, you have three options:

* **Manual Entry** — Log a single trade by hand using the simplified trade form
* **CSV Import** — Upload your broker's CSV file (auto-detected for Topstep, Tradovate, and Interactive Brokers)
* **Manual CSV Import** — Upload any CSV and map columns yourself

Once trades are added, TradeAlign will populate your trade history, performance metrics, and analytics.

## Important notes

<Warning>
  Each account requires its own setup and import. Trades must be imported before analytics and reports are available. You can add multiple accounts at any time, and account setup does not affect existing data.
</Warning>

Once your account is added and trades are imported, you're ready to begin logging, reviewing, and analyzing your trading behavior inside TradeAlign.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Import from Tradovate" icon="arrow-right" href="/getting-started/import-trades-tradovate">
    Tradovate CSV import guide
  </Card>

  <Card title="Import from TopstepX" icon="arrow-right" href="/getting-started/import-trades-topstepx">
    TopstepX CSV import guide
  </Card>

  <Card title="Import from IBKR" icon="arrow-right" href="/getting-started/import-trades-interactive-brokers">
    Interactive Brokers CSV import guide
  </Card>

  <Card title="Import any CSV" icon="arrow-right" href="/getting-started/import-trades-manual-csv">
    Manual column mapping for any broker
  </Card>
</CardGroup>