> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://start.atas.net/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://start.atas.net/step-3.-start-trading-with-atas/placing-your-first-trade.md).

# Placing Your First Trade

In the trading panel, enter your desired trade size in the "Position Size" field. Then, click either the **Long** (buy) or **Short** (sell) button to place your market order. Next, you can set a take-profit and stop-loss by dragging the corresponding icons onto the chart.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Disclaimer: ATAS acts exclusively as a technical service provider (software tool), allowing clients to connect their own accounts via exchange/broker APIs for market analysis. All subsequent trading decisions are made independently by users and executed through their broker. [Learn more](https://atas.net/how-it-works/)
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/ib5mvUKc0mLZfVYTO5Mc" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="success" %}

* **stop-loss** is an order that automatically closes your position when the price reaches a specific level to prevent further losses.
* **take-profit** is an order that closes a position when the price reaches a predetermined profit level. When a take-profit order is triggered, it will cancel any existing stop-loss order.
  {% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
You do not have to keep ChartTrader open all the time to make trades. Here are the most essential hotkeys for quick trading:

&#x20;Long (market buy) – W

&#x20;Short (market sell) – S

&#x20;Close position – Q

&#x20;Set a limit or stop order – Hover over the chart + Space + Left/Right Mouse Click<br>

&#x20;\*you can find other hotkey combinations in the hotkey settings.
{% endhint %}

If you want to buy or sell an asset at a better price, you can use a limit order. If you want to enter a trade when a certain level is broken, you can use a stop order. This order will open a trade at market price when the asset reaches your specified price level. To do this, hold the Space bar, select the desired price on the chart, and left-click to place a limit order, or right-click to place a stop order. In the example, we have placed a limit order above the current price and a stop order below, for a sell position:

<figure><img src="/files/HKrLp6tk4NqUBF6WkjcN" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Under the "Position Size" field, you will find additional order settings. For example, in the TIF dropdown menu, you can choose how long orders remain active:

* DAY – until the end of the trading session;
* GTC (Good Till Cancel) – until you manually cancel it;
* FOK (Fill or Kill) – the order will either be filled immediately or removed.

Activating the OCO (One Cancels Other) mode will automatically cancel the second order in the group once one of the linked orders is executed.


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