Paper Mode Guide

Paper Mode Guide

Paper mode lets you run a fully functional grid bot against en tiempo real market data sin placing actual orders or risking capital. It is the essential bridge between backtesting datos historicos and deploying with real money. Understanding what the simulation covers and what hace not te ayuda a interpret paper mode results correctly.

How Paper Mode Works Internally

When dry_run is set to true in tu bot configuration, the entire simulation engine activates. El bot runs el mismo code path as a live bot with one critical difference: all order operations are routed a traves del simulation module en lugar de el exchange API.

The simulation engine includes:

• SimAccount: Tracks a virtual account balance, margin, and positions. It starts with the capital you configure and updates as simulated trades execute.
• FillModel: Determines when simulated orders would fill based on en tiempo real price data. A limit orden de compra fills when the real market price drops to or below la orden price.
• PriceFeedSim: Connects to el mismo en tiempo real WebSocket price feed as the live bot. Paper mode uses actual market prices, not synthetic data.
• SendOrderSim: Intercepts order calls and routes them to the simulation engine en lugar de el exchange API.

The simulation runs the complete bot cycle: price checks, nivel de grid evaluation, order placement decisions, fill detection, TP management, and reconciliation. Every decision el bot makes is identical to live mode; only the execution layer differs.

What Paper Mode Simulates Accurately

Price-based decisions: Since paper mode uses en tiempo real market prices, all decisions about which nivel de grids to buy, when to place TP orders, and when grid break triggers are identical to live trading.

Bot logic and timing: The full cycle runs at el mismo interval. Reconciliation, bootstrap, grid break detection, and all safety guards operate exactly as they would in production.

Order placement logic: El bot decides to place orders using el mismo filters: grid locks, pending levels, in-flight tracking, and duplicate detection all function normally.

PnL calculation: Realized and PnL no realizado are calculated using el mismo formulas as live mode, based on simulated fill prices and current market prices.

What Paper Mode Cannot Simulate

Slippage: In real markets, especially during volatility spikes, your orden limites may fill at slightly different prices than specified. The simulation fills at the exact order price.

Partial fills: Real exchange orders can fill partially. The simulation always fills completely once el precio condition is met.

Order queue position: On a real exchange, your orden limite competes with other orders at el mismo price. You fill based on time priority. The simulation ignores libro de ordenes depth and competition.

Funding rates: Perpetual futures charge funding every 8 hours based on the tasa de financiacion. Paper mode does not deduct these costs, which can be significant for positions held over multiple days.

Exchange latency: Real API calls take 50-500ms. The simulation responds instantly. Esto significa the paper mode bot may appear to fill orders slightly faster than a live bot would.

Interpreting Paper Mode Results

Given the limitations above, paper mode results tend to be slightly optimistic comparado con live performance. Expect your live results to be 10-20% lower than paper mode debido a:

• Slippage reducing effective profit per trade
• Partial fills requiring additional cycles to complete
• Funding rate costs accumulating over time
• Occasional API timeouts causing missed opportunities

Sir paper mode configuration is barely profitable (menos que 1% over several days), sera likely be unprofitable live. Look for configurations that show clear, comfortable profitability in paper mode before deploying.

Running a Paper Mode Test

To activate paper mode, set dry_run: true in tu bot configuration YAML:

execution:
  dry_run: true
  debug: false

Everything else in tu configuracion stays the same. El bot starts, connects to real price feeds, and begins its cycle. Monitor el dashboard and logs just as you would with a live bot.

Recommended test duration: Run paper mode for at least 3-5 days before going live. This gives you exposure to different condiciones de mercado including weekday volatility, weekend lulls, and at least one or two significant price moves.

Transitioning to Live Trading

Cuando are satisfied with paper mode performance, transitioning to live is straightforward:

1. Review your paper mode PnL and ensure it meets your expectations.
2. Verify your exchange account has sufficient balance for the configured grid.
3. Change dry_run: false in tu configuracion.
4. Start el bot. It will now place real orders on el exchange.

Importanteeee: Start live with el mismo configuration you tested. Do not change nivel de grids, tamano de orden, or leverage during the transition. You want your live behavior to match what you validated in paper mode.

Despues der first live session (24-48 hours), compare live results against your paper mode results. If live performance is significantly worse (mas que 30% lower), investigate the cause before continuing. Common issues include higher-than-expected fees, slippage in thin markets, or tasa de financiacion costs that were not factored in.

Resumen

• Paper mode runs the full bot logic against en tiempo real prices but routes orders through a simulation engine en lugar de el exchange.
• Simulated results are slightly optimistic debido a perfect fills, no slippage, and no funding costs; expect 10-20% lower performance when live.
• Run paper mode for 3-5 days minimum, then transition to live with identical configuration settings.

Siguiente Paso

Understand the complete bot architecture and internal cycle in How the Grid Bot Works.