What is Alpaca?

Alpaca is a commission-free brokerage that provides a powerful API for automated trading. It's become the go-to choice for trading bot developers because:

• Zero commissions on stock and crypto trades
• Free paper trading with realistic market simulation
• Robust API for programmatic trading
• Fractional shares - Trade any amount, not just whole shares

Whether you're a developer or using a no-code platform like VibeTrader, Alpaca is the execution layer that makes your bot work.

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Method 1: Using VibeTrader (No Code)

The easiest way to create an Alpaca trading bot:

Step 1: Create Your Alpaca Account

• Go to alpaca.markets
• Sign up for a free account
• Complete identity verification
• Navigate to Paper Trading (start here, not live!)

Step 2: Get Your API Keys

• In Alpaca dashboard, go to "Paper Trading" section
• Click "Generate API Keys"
• Copy your API Key and Secret Key
• Keep these secure - they control your account

Step 3: Connect to VibeTrader

• Go to vibetrader.markets/settings
• Click "Connect Alpaca"
• Enter your API Key and Secret
• Select "Paper Trading" mode

Step 4: Create Your Bot

Simply describe your strategy:

"Buy $500 of AAPL when RSI drops below 30 and sell when it rises above 70"

That's it! Your bot is now connected to Alpaca and will execute trades automatically.

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Method 2: Using Python (For Developers)

If you prefer coding, here's how to build an Alpaca bot with Python:

Install the Alpaca SDK

\\\python

pip install alpaca-trade-api

\\\

Basic Connection

\\\python

import alpaca_trade_api as tradeapi

Paper trading URL

BASE_URL = 'https://paper-api.alpaca.markets'

api = tradeapi.REST(

'YOUR_API_KEY',

'YOUR_SECRET_KEY',

BASE_URL

)

Check account

account = api.get_account()

print(f'Account balance: $' + str(account.cash))

\\\

Place a Simple Order

\\\python

Buy 10 shares of Apple

api.submit_order(

symbol='AAPL',

qty=10,

side='buy',

type='market',

time_in_force='day'

)

\\\

RSI Trading Bot (Basic)

\\\python

import alpaca_trade_api as tradeapi

import pandas as pd

import time

def calculate_rsi(prices, period=14):

delta = prices.diff()

gain = delta.where(delta > 0, 0).rolling(period).mean()

loss = (-delta.where(delta < 0, 0)).rolling(period).mean()

rs = gain / loss

return 100 - (100 / (1 + rs))

def run_bot():

while True:

# Get recent prices

bars = api.get_bars('AAPL', '1Hour', limit=20).df

rsi = calculate_rsi(bars['close']).iloc[-1]

position = None

try:

position = api.get_position('AAPL')

except:

pass

if rsi < 30 and not position:

api.submit_order('AAPL', qty=10, side='buy', type='market', time_in_force='day')

print(f'Bought AAPL at RSI {rsi}')

elif rsi > 70 and position:

api.submit_order('AAPL', qty=10, side='sell', type='market', time_in_force='day')

print(f'Sold AAPL at RSI {rsi}')

time.sleep(3600) # Check every hour

run_bot()

\\\

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Which Method Should You Choose?

| Factor | VibeTrader (No Code) | Python (Code) |

|--------|---------------------|---------------|

| Setup Time | 5 minutes | 1-2 hours |

| Coding Required | No | Yes |

| Flexibility | High | Maximum |

| Hosting/Deployment | Handled for you | You manage |

| Maintenance | Automatic | Manual |

| Best For | Most traders | Developers |

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Alpaca Paper vs Live Trading

Paper Trading (Start Here)

• Uses simulated money ($100k default)
• Real market data and execution simulation
• No risk to real capital
• API endpoint: paper-api.alpaca.markets

Live Trading

• Real money, real consequences
• Same API, different endpoint
• Requires approved live account
• API endpoint: api.alpaca.markets

Always test in paper trading first. Even experienced developers make mistakes.

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Common Alpaca Bot Mistakes

• Skipping paper trading - Always test first
• No stop losses - Protect your capital
• Over-trading - More trades ≠ more profit
• Ignoring market hours - Stocks only trade 9:30am-4pm ET
• Not handling API errors - Markets can be volatile, errors happen

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Ready to Start?

The fastest path from idea to automated trading:

• Create a free Alpaca account
• Connect to VibeTrader
• Describe your strategy in plain English
• Start paper trading immediately

No coding required. Create your first bot in under 5 minutes.