Install and first session

How do I install Command Center?

Open Download and run the HelmTrader-Setup installer. Launch Helm Trader Command Center from the Start Menu when the install completes.

How do I activate my license?

Set your license key on the activation screen when you first launch Command Center (paste the key from your purchase email). Lost key? See Pricing FAQ, FAQ, or Support.

What should I do in the first session?

1. Open Settings and complete the Getting started checklist.
2. Confirm your shared trading settings file is present (core/optimization_config.json).
3. Run a backtest from the Backtest tab to verify the pipeline.
4. When ready, start Live Watcher in Paper mode.

Architecture and on-disk layout: Product.

Do I need testnet API keys?

Paper live requires Binance testnet API credentials in Settings. Use paper testnet before live testnet. Keys stay in your local settings file on this PC — never send them in support tickets.

How do updates work?

When a newer v1.x build is available, Command Center shows an update notice at the top of the window. Applying an update preserves your local settings file, market data, and outputs. A snapshot is saved under backups/product_snapshots/; restore a prior version from Settings if needed.

Reinstall from Download only when you are on a new machine or doing a clean reinstall.

Install or license problems?

• Install did not start / Windows blocked the file — download again from Download (Windows 10/11 x64). Prefer More info → Run anyway on a SmartScreen prompt. If the file is blocked as an untrusted app with no Run anyway option, check whether Smart App Control is on, or use the temporary SmartScreen steps below.
• License rejected — verify the key matches your purchase email exactly (no extra spaces).
• Dashboard does not load — run scripts\setup_check.py from the install directory and note any failures before opening a ticket.

Temporarily allow SmartScreen (last resort)

SmartScreen checks downloaded apps and files. Only if Run anyway is not available. Turn it back on as soon as the installer finishes. Do not leave it off permanently. Work or school PCs may block this — contact IT or Support instead.

1. Open Windows Security (search from the Start menu).
2. Go to App & browser control.
3. Under Reputation-based protection, open Reputation-based protection settings.
4. Turn off Check apps and files (this is SmartScreen for downloaded apps).
5. Run HelmTrader-Setup-….exe from your Downloads folder.
6. Return to the same settings and turn Check apps and files back On.

Smart App Control (Windows 11)

Smart App Control is separate from SmartScreen. It blocks apps Windows does not yet trust (including many new publishers). It is common on clean Windows 11 installs.

Check whether it is on

1. Open Windows Security.
2. Go to App & browser control.
3. Open Smart App Control settings.
4. Note the mode: Off, Evaluation, or On.

• Off — Smart App Control is not blocking installs. Use SmartScreen steps above if needed.
• Evaluation — Windows is learning. You can usually switch it to Off from the same page if it blocks the installer. Do that only to install, then leave Off or return to Evaluation as you prefer (Microsoft may not let you turn On again without a reset).
• On — enforcement mode. Microsoft does not provide a simple toggle off. Turning it off typically requires resetting Smart App Control (often a PC reset / reinstall path in Windows settings). Prefer installing on a PC where SAC is Off or still in Evaluation, or contact Support.

We do not recommend resetting your PC just to install Helm Trader. After our code-signing certificate is active and reputation builds, Smart App Control blocks should become less common.

Still stuck? Open a support ticket with your fb-… reference and whether SmartScreen, Smart App Control, or both appeared.