TradingBoss Licensing Guide (Activation, Limits, Machine Binding, Troubleshooting)

Welcome to the Licensing Guide.

If you’re brand new, “licensing” can feel like an annoying technical gate. But it exists for a reason, and once you understand how it works, it becomes straightforward.

This document is written for complete beginners. It assumes you may never have:

• used NinjaTrader,

• installed a strategy,

• or entered a license key before.

You will learn exactly what to do, what you should see, what common mistakes look like, and how to fix them.

✅ IMPORTANT UPDATE (READ THIS FIRST)

TradingBoss strategies now auto-refresh daily.

Licensing is designed to work with that “set and forget” workflow:

• Once your license validates and your strategy is enabled, it can keep running continuously.

• You do not need to restart every morning.

You only intervene if there is a real error (license, VPS, or connection).

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What You’ll Learn

By the end of this guide, you will understand:

• What licensing is and why TradingBoss uses it

• How the licensing system works (simple validation flow)

• What gets checked during validation:

  • license key

  • machine (VPS) ID

  • subscription status

  • account type

  • account limits

• Where to enter your license key in NinjaTrader (exact steps)

• License types (monthly, annual, lifetime)

• Products (FastPass standalone vs Full Bundle)

• Machine binding:

  • what it means

  • why it exists

  • what happens when you change VPS

  • how to request a reset

• Account limits:

  • what they are

  • how to avoid hitting them

  • what to do if you hit the limit

• How to verify your license is working

• Full troubleshooting for common license errors and messages

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1) What Licensing Is (And Why It Exists)

Licensing is simply a permission system.

It answers one question:

“Is this person allowed to run this strategy on this machine right now?”

TradingBoss strategies are paid software. Licensing exists to:

A) Prevent key sharing

Without machine binding, a single customer could share their strategy with dozens of people. That would kill the business and eventually kill support and development.

B) Protect the stability of the product

Licensing helps ensure:

• only active customers run the software,

• strategy versions remain controlled,

• and support can troubleshoot with predictable setups.

C) Enforce account limits (for safety + fairness)

If your plan allows (for example) 2 accounts, that prevents accidental misuse like running 20 accounts on one key.

This matters for stability and fairness.

📝 Beginner reassurance

Licensing isn’t there to “make your life harder.” It’s there so TradingBoss can keep the product stable, supported, and fair for everyone.

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2) How the Licensing System Works (Simple Explanation)

When you enable a TradingBoss strategy, it does a quick check with the license server.

Here is the simplified flow:

1. You paste your license key into the strategy settings

2. When the strategy starts, it contacts the license server

3. The server checks:

   • key validity

   • subscription status

   • machine ID binding

   • account limit usage

   • account type permissions

4. If valid:

   • strategy runs normally

   • status becomes ACTIVE / SCANNING

   • Output window may show LICENSE VALID

5. If invalid:

   • strategy shows UNLICENSED

   • it refuses to trade

✅ Success Indicator

A licensed strategy does not show UNLICENSED and does not block itself from trading.

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3) What Gets Checked During Validation (What the Server Looks At)

This is important because many beginners assume licensing is “just the key.”

It’s more than that.

1) License Key

This is the code you receive after purchase.

Format typically looks like: XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX

2) Machine ID (Hardware Fingerprint)

Your license binds to your VPS/computer.

Think of it like:

• a “serial number” for your VPS machine

• a fingerprint the server recognizes

This prevents sharing.

3) Subscription Status

Your license will be checked for:

• active subscription

• expired subscription

• cancelled subscription

• past due payment status (if applicable)

4) Account Type (Demo vs Live)

Some licenses may restrict usage to:

• demo/sim only, or

• live accounts as well

Most customers will have a license that supports live use unless otherwise specified.

5) Max Accounts Allowed

Licenses have a max number of accounts you can run at once.

Example:

• Default may be 2 accounts per license

• Bundles may allow more (depends on your plan)

If you exceed the limit, you’ll see an error like:

• “Maximum accounts allowed”

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4) License Types (Monthly / Annual / Lifetime)

Licensing typically comes in these types:

License Type	Duration	What It Means
Monthly	~30 days	Renews monthly (subscription)
Annual	~365 days	Renews yearly (subscription)
Lifetime	Never expires	Permanent (special promo / one-time)

📝 Note

The strategy does not care whether your plan is monthly or annual. It only cares whether it’s currently active.

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5) Products (FastPass Standalone vs Full Bundle)

TradingBoss licensing can be tied to a product.

Common product structure:

Product	Includes	Who It’s For
FastPass standalone	FastPass only	People focused on eval passing attempts
TradingBoss Bundle	All 5 strategies	Most members

⚠️ Common Mistake

Trying to run a strategy you don’t own.

Example: You bought FastPass only, then try to run Pulse. That will likely show UNLICENSED or a product mismatch error.

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6) Where to Find Your License Key

Usually you receive your license key by email after purchase.

That email typically includes:

• your license key

• onboarding links

• instructions or Discord link

If you can’t find it:

1. Search your inbox for “TradingBoss” or “license”

2. Check spam/promotions

3. If still missing, contact support with:

• your purchase email

• your name

• the approximate purchase date

💡 Tip

Save your license key somewhere secure:

• password manager

• secure notes

• encrypted document

Do not store it in random screenshots scattered across devices.

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7) Where to Enter Your License Key in NinjaTrader (Exact Steps)

This is the step beginners most often do incorrectly simply because NinjaTrader has many menus.

Step-by-step

1. Open NinjaTrader (on your VPS)

2. Open the chart that has your TradingBoss strategy attached

3. Right-click the chart

4. Click Strategies

5. Select your TradingBoss strategy in the configured list

6. Look for the section usually labeled:

   • Group 0. License

   • License

   • License Key

7. Paste your license key into the License Key field

8. Click Apply (if available)

9. Click OK

Screenshot description (what you should see)

The Strategies window is open. On the left is a list of strategies. On the right is a settings panel with grouped headings. One of those headings includes a text box labeled License Key.

✅ Success Indicator

After you click OK, the strategy no longer shows UNLICENSED and you see a licensing confirmation in Output.

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8) How to Verify Your License Is Working (Two Ways)

You want confirmation so you’re not guessing.

Method A — Check the Output Window

1. In Control Center, click New

2. Click Output

3. Look for messages after enabling the strategy

You should see something like:

• ✅ LICENSE VALID

• ✅ “Licensed”

• ✅ “Activation successful” (Exact wording varies by version, but you’re looking for an obvious success confirmation.)

If you see:

• ❌ “No license key provided”

• ❌ “Validation failed”

• ❌ “Maximum accounts allowed” Then licensing is not active.

Method B — Check Strategy Status on Chart

Many TradingBoss strategies display status:

• ACTIVE

• SCANNING

• WARMUP

• IN TRADE

• DONE FOR DAY

• UNLICENSED

If it shows UNLICENSED, licensing is not working.

If it shows ACTIVE/SCANNING, licensing is working.

✅ Success Indicator

“ACTIVE” or “SCANNING” means the strategy is licensed and functioning normally.

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9) Machine Binding (What It Is and Why It Exists)

Machine binding is one of the most misunderstood concepts.

Here’s the simplest explanation:

Think of your license like a car key

A car key works for your car, not every car.

Machine binding makes your TradingBoss license key work for:

• your VPS machine

• not everyone’s VPS machine

Why binding exists

• prevents sharing

• prevents stolen keys being reused

• ensures fairness and sustainability

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What Happens the First Time You Use Your License

On first validation:

• your license key becomes linked to your VPS/computer “machine ID”

From that point on:

• the server expects that same machine ID for that key

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What Happens If You Change VPS or Computer

If you move to a new VPS, NinjaTrader sees a new machine fingerprint.

The license server may respond with an error like:

• “Machine mismatch”

• “License already bound”

• “Unauthorized machine”

This does not mean you did something wrong.

It just means the license needs a reset so it can bind to the new VPS.

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How to Request a Machine Reset

When you contact support, include:

1. Your purchase email

2. Your license key (or last 4 characters)

3. A short sentence:

   • “I changed VPS and need a machine reset.”

4. A screenshot of:

   • the UNLICENSED status on chart

   • the Output window error message

💡 Tip

Always include screenshots. Support can solve things 10x faster when they see the exact error text.

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10) Account Limits (What They Mean and How to Avoid Problems)

Most TradingBoss licenses allow only a certain number of accounts to run simultaneously.

Example:

• License allows 2 accounts

• You attach strategies to 3 different accounts

• The third one shows “Maximum accounts allowed”

This is extremely common for prop traders who have many evaluation accounts.

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How Account Limits Are Usually Triggered

This can happen in a few ways:

Scenario A — You accidentally enabled the strategy on SIM + real account

You thought you enabled only on your prop account, but SIM was selected on another chart.

Now you’re using 2 “slots” without meaning to.

Scenario B — You run the same strategy on multiple prop accounts

Example:

• Moneybags on Apex-1

• Moneybags on Apex-2

• Pulse on Apex-3 Now you might exceed limits (depending on your plan).

Scenario C — You tested on one VPS, then moved to another, and both remain “active”

If the old machine still has an active session recorded, it can consume a slot.

Support can clear these.

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How to Check How Many Accounts You’re Using

Most beginners can’t “see” this directly inside NinjaTrader, but you can infer it:

• If you enable a strategy and it immediately says “Maximum accounts allowed,” you are likely at limit.

• If it works on two accounts but fails on the third, you hit the limit.

If you have access to a member dashboard or support tools, support can confirm your slots.

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What to Do If You Hit the Account Limit

1. Disable the strategy on accounts you are not using

2. Remove strategies from charts you don’t need

3. Restart NinjaTrader if sessions are stuck

4. If still blocked, contact support for:

   • slot reset

   • plan upgrade (if you want more accounts)

⚠️ Warning

Don’t keep duplicating charts and enabling strategies “to see if it works.” That can stack up account usage quickly and cause confusion.

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11) Full Troubleshooting (By Error Message)

This section is written like:

• “If you see X, do Y.”

Because beginners don’t need theory when something is broken. They need a path.

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Error: “No license key provided”

What it means

You did not enter a license key (or the field is blank).

Most common causes

• You forgot to paste the key

• You pasted into the wrong field

• You clicked Cancel instead of OK

• You pasted spaces and the system didn’t read it

Fix (step-by-step)

1. Right-click chart → Strategies

2. Select the strategy

3. Find License Key field

4. Paste key carefully

5. Click Apply → OK

6. Open Output window and confirm “LICENSE VALID”

✅ After fix, you should see

Strategy status changes from UNLICENSED to ACTIVE/SCANNING.

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Error: “License validation failed”

What it means

The key was sent to the server, but the server rejected it.

Possible causes

• key typed wrong

• wrong product key (FastPass-only trying to run bundle strategy)

• subscription expired

• payment issue / past due

• server temporarily unreachable (less common)

Fix (step-by-step)

1. Confirm you copied the key from the original email (avoid manual typing)

2. Paste again, carefully (no spaces)

3. Confirm you’re running a strategy included in your product

4. Check internet on VPS (open a browser, load a normal site)

5. If still failing:

   • screenshot Output message

   • contact support with key + email

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Error: “Maximum accounts allowed”

What it means

You are trying to run the strategy on more accounts than your license permits.

Fix (step-by-step)

1. Decide which accounts you actually want active

2. On unused charts/accounts:

   • disable the strategy

   • remove it if needed

3. Restart NinjaTrader

4. Try enabling again on your chosen accounts

5. If it still says maximum accounts:

   • contact support to clear stuck sessions or upgrade your account limit

💡 Tip

One strategy per account is also best for prop firm safety. It reduces accidental overuse of license slots and avoids hedging/stacking.

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Error: “Machine mismatch” / “License already bound” / “Unauthorized machine”

What it means

Your license is bound to a different VPS/computer than the one you are currently using.

Fix

You need a machine reset.

1. Confirm whether you recently:

   • changed VPS providers

   • upgraded VPS

   • reinstalled Windows

2. Contact support and request “machine reset”

3. Include:

   • purchase email

   • license key (or last 4)

   • screenshot of the error

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Error: “Connection error” / “Cannot reach license server”

What it means

Your VPS cannot reach the license server right now.

Possible causes

• VPS internet issue

• temporary licensing server issue

• firewall / security software blocking outbound connection

Fix (step-by-step)

1. On VPS, open a browser and load a normal site

   • If websites don’t load → your VPS internet is down

2. If internet works:

   • wait 1–2 minutes and try enabling again

3. Restart NinjaTrader

4. If still failing:

   • screenshot Output window

   • contact support

📝 Note

Some strategies may cache validation for resilience. That means brief license server hiccups usually don’t stop your system instantly. But persistent connection problems must be fixed.

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12) Common Beginner Mistakes (That Cause License Problems)

Mistake 1 — Extra spaces in the key

If you copy/paste and accidentally include a trailing space, validation can fail.

Fix: paste into Notepad first, confirm clean, then paste into NinjaTrader.

Mistake 2 — Typing manually

Manual typing creates errors.

Fix: always copy from the original email.

Mistake 3 — Using the wrong product key

FastPass-only key won’t unlock other strategies.

Fix: confirm your purchase product or contact support.

Mistake 4 — Changing VPS without realizing it

Some VPS providers “rebuild” your server which changes machine ID.

Fix: request machine reset.

Mistake 5 — Running too many accounts

You hit your license limit.

Fix: disable unused charts/accounts and keep your setup clean.

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13) What To Send Support (So You Get Fast Help)

When you request licensing support, include:

1. Your purchase email

2. Which strategy you’re trying to run

3. Which broker connection (Tradovate or Rithmic)

4. A screenshot of:

   • strategy status (showing UNLICENSED)

   • Output window showing the error text

5. A short summary:

   • “I pasted key, still shows validation failed”

   • “I changed VPS and need machine reset”

   • “It says maximum accounts allowed”

✅ Success Indicator

When support has those five items, most licensing issues can be solved quickly.

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Summary

Licensing is the system that ensures:

• you have access,

• your subscription is active,

• your VPS is recognized,

• and you stay within account limits.

If licensing is working, you’ll see:

• LICENSE VALID in Output,

• and strategy status ACTIVE/SCANNING on the chart.

If licensing is not working, you’ll usually see:

• UNLICENSED status,

• and a clear error message in Output.

You now know:

• where to enter the key,

• how machine binding works,

• how account limits work,

• and exactly how to troubleshoot each error.

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Next Steps

1. Read daily-operations.md next You’ll learn:

   • the new hands-off routine,

   • what happens automatically,

   • and what quick checks you should still do.

2. After that, read troubleshooting.md This is the symptom-based “fix anything” manual.