# AutoLock System ## AutoLock Quick Demo {% embed url="" %} AutoLock is a **scheduled, daily protection feature** that automatically restricts access to your risk settings and trading restriction configurations during a defined time window each day. It is designed for traders and risk managers who want to **lock in their risk parameters before the trading day begins** and prevent those settings from being changed while markets are live — either accidentally or intentionally. Unlike a Trade Lockout (which blocks trading entirely), AutoLock **does not stop you from placing trades** and **does not flatten your positions**. It simply freezes the specific risk settings you choose, ensuring they remain exactly as configured for the duration of the trading session. ## How It Works {% stepper %} {% step %} ## Schedule a Daily Time Window You configure a **start time** and **end time** (in 24-hour format) for each account. Every day, AutoLock will automatically: * **Activate** at your start time — freezing your chosen settings * **Deactivate** at your end time — restoring full edit access All times are evaluated in your **configured timezone**, so the schedule is always accurate to your local trading hours. **Example:** Start `08:00`, End `16:30` in `America/Chicago` → AutoLock is active every day from 8 AM to 4:30 PM Central. {% endstep %} {% step %} ## Settings Are Preserved **AutoLock does not modify your settings as they are currently set.** It freezes them exactly as they are when the lock activates. When the window ends and AutoLock is removed, your settings are identical to what they were before the lock started. {% endstep %} {% step %} ## AutoLock settings cannot be modified while window is active Once an AutoLock window is active, you will not be able to modify the AutoLock settings or disable it until the window ends. {% endstep %} {% endstepper %} ## What Can Be Protected You choose which settings AutoLock protects. You can protect **all settings** (simplest option) or select **individual settings** from two categories: **Risk Settings** | Setting | What It Protects | | ------------------------- | ---------------------------------- | | Daily Loss Limit | Maximum daily loss threshold | | Daily Profit Limit | Daily profit target | | Per-Trade Loss Limit | Maximum loss on a single trade | | Per-Trade Profit Target | Profit target on a single trade | | Daily Funded Target | Funded account daily profit target | | Trailing Daily Loss Limit | Trailing drawdown loss limit | **Trading Restrictions** | Setting | What It Protects | | ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------- | | Max Contract Size | Maximum contracts per order | | E-Mini Blocking | Block trading of E-Mini instruments | | Daily Trade Limit | Maximum number of trades per day | | Consecutive Loss Limit | Lock after N consecutive losing trades | | Time Restriction | Blocked trading time window | | Allowed Trading Days | Which days of the week trading is permitted | ## Protection Behavior **While AutoLock is active:** * Non-protected settings can still be edited freely * Trading continues normally — orders can be placed, positions can be opened and closed * Other lockout types (Manual, Violation, Controls) take precedence over AutoLock. If a Trade Lockout is already active when the AutoLock window starts, the AutoLock is skipped for that account **When AutoLock ends:** * All settings become fully editable again * No positions are closed, no orders are cancelled ## Configuration Options **Per Account:** * **Enabled/Disabled toggle** — Turn AutoLock on or off for each individual account independently * **Start Time / End Time** — Daily schedule * **Protection Mode:** * *Protect All* — Every risk setting and trading restriction is frozen * *Custom* — You select exactly which individual settings to protect ## AutoLock vs. Other Lockout Types | Feature | AutoLock | Manual Lock (Trade Lock) | Trade Lockout (Violation) | Controls Lock | | ----------------------- | --------------------- | --------------------------------- | --------------------------------- | --------------------------------- | | Triggered by | Schedule (time-based) | Manual button click | Risk limit breach | Manual button click | | Blocks new orders | No | Yes | Yes | No | | Flattens positions | No | Yes | Yes | No | | Cancels working orders | No | Yes | Yes | No | | Blocks settings changes | Yes (protected only) | No | Yes (all) | Yes | | Ends automatically | Yes (at end time) | Expires after lockout period ends | After configured Lockout duration | Expires after lockout period ends | | Can be overridden by | None | None | None | None | ## Important Notes 1. **AutoLock does not replace Trade Lockout.** It is a settings-protection mechanism, not a trading-block mechanism. If you need to stop trading due to a risk breach, that is handled by the Risk Management violation system. 2. **If another lockout is already active** when an AutoLock window begins, AutoLock is skipped for that account and does not interfere with the existing lockout. This behavior may change in the future as we reconsider system design. 3. **Settings changes made before the window** are captured at lock time. AutoLock has no memory of what settings were before it activated — it simply prevents changes from occurring while it is active. 4. **Configuration changes take effect immediately.** If you update your AutoLock schedule or protected settings while a window is active, the new configuration is applied right away — including re-applying the lock if the current time falls within the updated window. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://help.tradespacepro.com/autolock-system.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. 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