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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common questions about PI Trading Bot.

🎯 General

Is PI Trading Bot really free? +
Yes, 100% free and open source. There are no subscriptions, no hidden fees, no cloud costs, and no premium tiers. The complete source code is available on GitHub.
Do I need coding skills to use this? +
No coding required! Installation is handled by simple scripts, and all configuration is done through the web dashboard. You just need to be comfortable with basic command line operations (copy/paste commands).
What exchanges are supported? +
Currently Kraken and MEXC are fully supported. The architecture is designed to easily add more exchanges - Binance, KuCoin, Bybit, and OKX are on the roadmap for upcoming releases.
Can I run this on something other than Raspberry Pi? +
Absolutely! While optimized for Raspberry Pi, the bot runs on any system with Python 3.8+. This includes Linux servers, macOS, Windows, VPS instances, and Docker containers. We recommend Raspberry Pi for cost-effective 24/7 self-hosted operation.

🔒 Security

Do you store my API keys? +
No. Your API keys are stored only on your local machine. The bot runs entirely on your hardware - there are no cloud servers, no accounts, and no data collection. We never see or have access to your API keys.
Can the bot withdraw my funds? +
Only if you give it withdrawal permissions (which we strongly advise against). We recommend creating API keys with trade permissions only - no withdrawal access. This way, even if your keys were somehow compromised, funds cannot be withdrawn.
Should I use IP whitelisting? +
Yes, we highly recommend it! Most exchanges allow you to restrict API keys to specific IP addresses. Set your API key to only work from your bot's IP address for an extra layer of security.

📈 Trading

What is paper trading mode? +
Paper trading simulates trades without using real money. The bot generates signals and logs what trades would have been made, allowing you to test strategies and configurations risk-free. Always start with paper trading to validate your setup.
How do the 10 strategies work together? +
Each enabled strategy independently analyzes market conditions and produces a BUY, SELL, or HOLD signal. These signals are weighted (1.1x - 1.8x based on reliability) and aggregated. A trade only executes when the combined confidence score exceeds your minimum threshold. This multi-strategy approach reduces false signals.
What's the best strategy combination? +
Our top recommended combination is 4D Cyclical + Heikin-Ashi + RSI 2-Period. This provides multi-factor confirmation with timing precision. See the Strategies page for more recommended combinations for different market conditions.
What are typical returns? +
We cannot and do not make return predictions. Cryptocurrency trading is inherently risky. Performance depends on market conditions, your configuration, and many other factors. Past performance never guarantees future results. Only trade with money you can afford to lose.
How often does the bot trade? +
Trade frequency depends on market conditions and your configuration. With higher confidence thresholds (65%+), you'll see fewer but higher-quality trades. With lower thresholds (40-50%), more trades but potentially more false signals. The bot also respects trade cooldowns to prevent overtrading.

⚙️ Technical

What are the system requirements? +
Minimum: 2 CPU cores, 1GB RAM, Python 3.8+, 100MB storage, stable internet. Recommended: Raspberry Pi 5 (4+ cores), 4GB RAM, Python 3.10+. The bot is lightweight and efficient - it won't max out your Pi.
Does it auto-start after power outage? +
Yes, if you enable the systemd service during installation (Linux/Pi only). The installer asks if you want to set up auto-start on boot. For Windows, you can add the start script to your Startup folder.
How do I update to a new version? +
1. Stop the bot (./stop.sh)
2. Back up your data/ folder (contains your config)
3. Download and extract the new version
4. Copy your data/ folder to the new directory
5. Run ./install.sh to update dependencies
6. Start the bot (./start.sh)
The bot won't start - what should I check? +
Common issues:
• Port in use: Another app using port 8000. Change port or stop the other app.
• Python not found: Ensure Python 3.8+ is installed and in PATH.
• Dependencies missing: Run ./install.sh again.
• Permission denied: Run chmod +x *.sh on Linux/Pi.
Check logs/ folder for detailed error messages.

💬 Support

How do I get help? +
Several options:
• Documentation: User Guide & Strategy Manual
• Discord: Join our community for real-time help
• GitHub Issues: Report bugs or request features
• Contact Form: Send us a message
Can I request new features? +
Yes! We welcome feature requests. Open an issue on GitHub or submit through our contact form. Popular requests are prioritized on our roadmap.

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