NinjaTrader Basics

NinjaTrader looks complicated as hell the first time you open it, but once you understand the layout, it’s clean, fast, and extremely good for futures trading.

1. Connecting Data

Go to Connections → Configure. You will see your data options:

• NinjaTrader Continuum (prop firms use this)
• Demo feed (only for sim)
• External brokers if you have them

Click your preferred data source → Connect. The bottom-left connection light should turn green.

2. Opening A Chart

• Go to New → Chart
• Select instrument: ES, MES, NQ, MNQ, etc.
• Pick timeframe: 1-minute, 5-minute, or 1-range/2-range

Hit Create to open the chart.

3. Make Your Chart Readable

Right-click → Properties:

• Background: #1C1C1C
• Candle up: #4CAF50
• Candle down: #F44336
• Remove grid lines
• Increase candle width to 4

4. Add The Only Indicator You Need (20 EMA)

Press Ctrl+I → search EMA → add Set:

• Period: 20
• Color: yellow or cyan

5. Setting Up The DOM (Optional)

Go to New → SuperDOM.

Turn off:

• Heatmap shading
• Bid/ask coloring
• Any advanced columns you don’t understand

You want a clean DOM that shows:

• Price ladder
• Bid size
• Ask size

6. Placing Orders On The Chart

The easiest way for beginners:

• Right-click → Buy Limit or Sell Limit
• Right-click → Buy Market or Sell Market

After entry, NinjaTrader will show:

• Your stop (red line)
• Your target (green line)
• Your entry (blue line)

7. Basic Hotkeys

These are optional but speed you up:

• F1 – Buy Market
• F2 – Sell Market
• F3 – Close Position

8. Avoid The Common Beginner Chart Mistakes

• Don’t run 10 indicators
• Don’t add clouds, ribbons, heatmaps
• Don’t use 5 different moving averages
• Don’t scalp using DOM unless you know what you’re doing

The goal is clarity — not confusion disguised as information.