Trading using the Python TWS API - Updated

This is a course in programming with the Trader Workstation Application Programming Interface (TWS API) for Python developers. In this course, we describe how to get started in developing Python applications that use the API.

We’ll show you where to find the software applications Trader Workstation (TWS) and IB Gateway on the IBKR website for download and installation. TWS and IB Gateway are the standalone software applications which integrates with our API that can be used with custom or third party trading applications. We’ll  discuss the settings in TWS/IB Gateway which are necessary to connect an API client and those which can affect order placement.

Presenter:  Andrew Wise, US API Support Supervisor, Interactive Brokers

Andrew came on board with IBKR API in early 2022 and in addition to the support you know and love, has been contributing to many of the public resources offered by Interactive Brokers. This includes public github repositories, regular Traders Academy video series, and reinventing our public documentation. Before joining IBKR, Andrew focused primarily on IT and Linux Server support over the years, standing as a testament that anybody with any level of experience can get started with the Interactive Brokers APIs. Andrew has a BS in Spatial Data Science & Technology from the University of Oregon.

Lesson Structure:

• What is the TWS API?

• Installing & Configuring TWS for the API

• Accessing the TWS Python API Source Code

• Essential components of TWS API programs

• Requesting Market Data – Code Walkthrough

• Placing Orders using TWS Python API

• TWS Python API Placing Complex Orders

• Accessing Portfolio Data and Account Information

• TWS Python API Market Parameters and Scanners

• TWS Python API Concurrency Example

Prerequisites for this course:

• Windows, Linux, or Mac OS computer with a Graphical User Interface and Python 3.3 or higher installed.

• Familiarity with Python programming.

• The TWS API utilizes socket programming, multiple threads, and other concepts which it is recommended to be familiar with beforehand. If not, it is suggested to first try an Introduction to Python course which covers these topics.

Intended Audience:

• Programmers with experience in Python who are interested in building custom applications.