Connecting an exchange

API keys

Every exchange connects the same way: you create an API key on the exchange, restrict it, and paste it into Turtle Terminal. There is no aggregator in the middle and no credentials pass through us.

1. On the exchange, create an API key with permission to read the account and place orders. Do not grant withdrawal permission; Turtle Terminal never needs it.
2. In Turtle Terminal, Connect → the exchange. Paste the key and secret. On Binance you can also point the key at the testnet for practice.
3. Turtle Terminal makes one account call to check the key, then stores it encrypted in a vault. It is never shown again.

You can create several keys at each exchange and revoke any of them there at any time. Revoking a key disconnects the account on the next sync.

Kraken

Create the key under Settings → API. Enable query and order permissions; leave funds withdrawal off. Kraken supports spot and margin.

Coinbase

Create the key in the Coinbase developer portal. Grant trade and view scopes; leave transfer off. Coinbase is spot only.

Binance

Create the key under API Management. Enable reading and spot and margin trading; leave withdrawals off. Binance offers a spot testnet, which Turtle Terminal can connect to for practice.

Several accounts

Connect as many as you like. The account switcher in the header chooses which one the terminal shows. Rules can apply to all accounts or to one.

Disconnecting

Connect → the account → Disconnect. The keys are deleted at once. Your history in Turtle Terminal stays. Nothing changes at your exchange; positions and open orders live there.

Live trading

Live accounts trade real money only after you acknowledge the risk disclosure and turn live trading on in Settings → Profile. Until then a live account is read-only in Turtle Terminal.