Welcome to the BlockFin Signal Bot FAQ Section. Here, you can find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the Signal Bot feature to help you better understand BlockFin's Signal Bot:
1. How do I diagnose why my signals are not working as expected?
If you're facing issues with your signals not working as expected, you can follow these steps to diagnose and troubleshoot the problem:
a. Check your Alerts Log on TradingView Begin by examining your alerts log on TradingView. Ensure that the alert you're expecting to trigger has been activated.
Check your alerts log on TradingView
b. Open the details of your Signal bots and check Events history to see if the alert on TradingView has been triggered. Refresh this page and look for any logged events that occurred around the same time as the message trigger.
Select details of the signal bot
c. If there is no corresponding record on your Events history, verify Alert Configuration on TradingView:
Webhook URL: Confirm that you have correctly input the Webhook URL in your alert settings. The Webhook URL for your alerts should align with the URL provided to you in the signal configuration view.
signalToken: Ensure that the signalToken field in your alert message is accurately entered. The signalToken field for your alerts should also align with the signalToken suggested to you in the signal configuration view.
d. If you find a successfully recorded line item in Events History, you'll need to analyze details of recorded events to understand more insights into what might have gone wrong. Use this information to make necessary adjustments to your alert message. Should you need guidance on formatting your alert messages, you can find detailed specifications in the Alert Msg Specs document.
Open the Signal details
By following these steps, you can effectively diagnose and address any issues with your signals to ensure they function as intended. If you continue to encounter difficulties, don't hesitate to reach out to our support team for further assistance.
2. Does the BlockFin Signal Bot support derivatives?
As of now, the BlockFin Signal Bot exclusively supports trading in perpetual contracts. This means that you can engage in trading activities within the realm of perpetual swaps, which are listed on BlockFin. The Signal Bot empowers you to trade these perpetual contracts while offering the advantage of configuring leverage to suit your trading preferences.
3. Are my signals from TradingView logged somewhere? Will errors in my alert messages on TradingView displayed somewhere within my bot?
Yes, your signals from TradingView are indeed logged and tracked. If there are errors in your alert messages on TradingView, these issues are documented within your bot for your reference.
You can access this information from Futures -> Trading Bots -> Details of the specific bot you wish to access Events History. This section houses a chronological sequence of logs that detail the incoming alerts from TradingView along with the corresponding actions executed for each alert. The logs are designed to be self-explanatory and provide context for any actions taken. This comprehensive log can be immensely helpful in diagnosing errors or discrepancies in your alert messages.
By analysing the Event History section, you can identify any potential issues, understand their cause, and take action to maintain the efficient operation of your trading strategy.
4. What format can I send my alert messages in? Is there a specifications document?
Certainly! We provide a comprehensive Alert Msg Specs document that outlines the format you should use for sending your alert messages. This document serves as your guide to ensure that your messages are structured correctly and effectively interpreted by the system.
Tailored Formats for Pine Script Strategy Creators:
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For Pine Script strategy creators who rely on strategy functions to transmit their trading signals, we offer a specialized format that seamlessly integrates strategy functions.
These formats, along with detailed specifications, are readily available in the Alert Msg Specs document. This resource empowers you to craft and send your alert messages with precision, ensuring smooth communication between your trading strategy and the BlockFin platform.
5. Can I set up multiple trading pairs in one signal bot?
No. You can manage one trading pair within a single signal bot.
Select a trading pair
6. Error - "Incorrect type of instrument". What does this mean?
This error message indicates that the value you've entered for the "instrument" field in your alert message does not match the required format specified in our Alert Msg Specifications. To address this issue, refer to the documentation for a comprehensive breakdown of the expected content for each field.
Now we support two instrument formats: "BTC-USDT", "BTCUSDT.P", "ETH-USDT", "ETHUSDT.P". A common mistake involves entering the instrument as "BTCUSDT" instead of "BTCUSDT.P," inadvertently omitting the ".P" at the end. This specific format is crucial because we're dealing with perpetual contracts rather than spot trading.
By aligning your instrument field with the correct format as outlined in the specifications, you can resolve this error and ensure seamless signal transmission.
7. Error - "maximum allowed lag time being exceeded". What does this mean?
This error message indicates that there was a delay longer than the permitted duration for your alert to reach BlockFin from TradingView. Your alert message comprises a field known as "maxLag," which establishes this time limit (in seconds). In essence, maxLag signifies the maximum duration you allow between sending a signal via TradingView (as reflected by the "timestamp" field in your alert) and the moment it is effectively received and processed by BlockFin.
Maxlag in your alert message
To address this situation, consider adjusting the maxLag value in your alert messages to a higher threshold. This extended limit should accommodate any potential delays more effectively. However, if you continue to encounter this issue despite allowing ample time, feel free to contact our Support team. We're here to assist you in resolving any persistent concerns.
8. Where do I find my signalToken?
step 1. On the [Futures] - [Trading Bots] page, select one signal bot from the signal bots list, click [Edit Signal].
step 2. Find your signalToken in the alert messages.
9. Is an order rejected when it's below the minimum order size?
Yes, if an order falls below the minimum order size, it will be rejected. For comprehensive information regarding contract sizes, please refer to the details provided here. It's important to make sure that the size of your order meets the minimum requirements for successful execution.
10. Can I use the BlockFin Signal Bot to do one-step reversals (i.e. long to short or short to long)?
Absolutely! The BlockFin Signal Bot fully supports one-step reversals. You don't need to send two separate messages: one for closing an existing position and another for opening a new position in the opposite direction. A single message is sufficient for the bot to intelligently execute the reversal directly.
Here's an illustrative example:
Suppose you have a long position, and you want to execute a reversal to a short position. You can send a single alert message indicating the desired direction and size of the new position, and the bot will seamlessly handle the reversal for you.
For a more in-depth understanding of the specifications and a detailed example, refer to our comprehensive Alert Message Specifications guide. This guide provides a comprehensive understanding of how to efficiently perform one-step reversals using the BlockFin Signal Bot.
11. Can I simultaneously have long and short positions open in my bot?
The bot operates in a one-way position mode. This means that for a single trading pair, you can hold a position in only one direction at any given time.
However, when considering multiple trading pairs, you do have flexibility. For instance, you can simultaneously hold a long position in BTCUSDT while also maintaining a short position in ETHUSDT. This ability to manage distinct pairs with different positions adds versatility to your trading strategy.
12. What happens if I set up 2 or more bots on the same signal?
When you set up multiple bots using the same signal, all of these bots will execute actions based on that shared signal. Each bot can be configured with distinct settings, such as operating on different trading pairs, leveraging varying leverage ratios, or even adhering to distinct margin requirements.
While these bots can possess differing configurations, they'll essentially be acting upon the same underlying signal. This means that orders will be executed based on the information conveyed in your signal, merged with the unique settings of each individual bot.
Setting up multiple bots on a single signal allows for flexibility and customization, enabling you to tailor your trading strategy to diverse market conditions and preferences.