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

# Log Your First Trade

> Create your account, set up your trader profile, log your first trade, and explore your dashboard — everything you need to hit the ground running.

Getting from zero to your first logged trade takes less than five minutes. This guide walks you through creating your account, configuring your profile so NextTick's analytics are calibrated to how you trade, entering your first trade, and finding your way around the dashboard.

<Note>
  NextTick is currently in closed beta. You'll need a waitlist invitation to create an account. If you haven't received one yet, join the waitlist at [nexttick.app](https://nexttick.app).
</Note>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create your account">
    Go to [nexttick.app](https://nexttick.app) and click **Start free** in the navigation. On the sign-up screen you can continue with Apple, Google, or an email address and password (8 characters minimum).

    After submitting, NextTick creates your account and redirects you to the dashboard. If you signed up with email and your account requires verification, check your inbox for a confirmation link before proceeding.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set up your profile">
    Open your profile from the bottom tab bar on mobile or the sidebar on desktop. Fill in the fields below to give NextTick the context it needs to surface accurate analytics from day one.

    | Field                 | What to enter                                                                           |
    | --------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | **Username**          | Your unique handle on the platform (used in the Social Feed and on your public profile) |
    | **Display name**      | The name shown on your posts and in search results                                      |
    | **Bio**               | A short description of how you trade — visible on your public profile                   |
    | **Experience level**  | `beginner`, `intermediate`, or `advanced`                                               |
    | **Markets**           | The instruments you trade — e.g. `equities`, `futures`, `forex`, `crypto`               |
    | **Risk per trade**    | Your typical risk amount in dollars; used to calculate R-multiples across your journal  |
    | **Default timeframe** | Your primary chart timeframe: `1min`, `5min`, `15min`, `1hr`, `4hr`, or `daily`         |

    You can update any of these settings later from the Profile screen.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Log your first trade">
    Navigate to **Trade Log** in the sidebar (or the Trades tab on mobile). Click **New trade** to open the entry form. The table below describes every field — only Symbol is strictly required to save a draft, but the more you fill in, the richer your analytics become.

    | Field             | Description                                                                            |
    | ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | **Symbol**        | The ticker or instrument you traded (e.g. `AAPL`, `ES`, `EURUSD`)                      |
    | **Direction**     | `long` or `short`                                                                      |
    | **Entry price**   | Your fill price at entry                                                               |
    | **Exit price**    | Your fill price at exit                                                                |
    | **Entry time**    | Date and time you entered the position                                                 |
    | **Exit time**     | Date and time you exited the position                                                  |
    | **Position size** | Number of shares, contracts, or units                                                  |
    | **Stop loss**     | Your planned stop price                                                                |
    | **Timeframe**     | The chart timeframe you were trading off (`1min` – `daily`)                            |
    | **P\&L**          | Your net profit or loss on the trade                                                   |
    | **R-multiple**    | How many R your trade returned; auto-calculated if you've set a risk per trade         |
    | **Setup tag**     | A label for the pattern or setup (e.g. `breakout`, `VWAP reclaim`)                     |
    | **Grade**         | Your own assessment of execution quality: `A+`, `A`, `B+`, `B`, `C+`, `C`, `D`, or `F` |
    | **Notes**         | Free-text observations, emotional state, or post-trade review                          |

    After saving, you can drag in chart screenshots directly from TradingView or your broker platform. Free accounts support 2 screenshots per trade; Pro accounts support 20.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Explore your dashboard">
    Head to **Dashboard** to see your journal come to life. The overview surface shows your running P\&L, win rate, average R-multiple, and a calendar heatmap of your trading activity. As you log more trades, the Analytics section will surface setup-level breakdowns, your most and least profitable hours of the day, and drawdown reconstructions.

    From the sidebar you can also explore:

    * **Analytics** — deeper performance breakdowns (Pro)
    * **Backtesting** — replay historical days bar by bar (Pro)
    * **Goals** — set and track performance targets (Pro)
    * **Feed** — see verified trades from the traders you follow
    * **Education** — video lessons from verified creators (Pro for full library)
  </Step>
</Steps>