RSAi™ fires at 3:05 PM CST. SPX options trade until ~3:15 PM CST. That's a 10-minute execution window. This guide shows Pro and Masterclass members how to turn that 10-minute window into a 10-second automated process — every trading day, without touching a platform.
1 Why Automate? The 5-Minute Problem
Manual execution of a 4-leg SPX Iron Condor looks like this: open your broker → navigate to SPX options → find the correct expiry → build the put spread (buy/sell) → build the call spread (buy/sell) → set the limit price → verify all four legs → submit. On a fast day, that's 2–3 minutes. On a slow day — or the day RSAi™ fires and you're mid-meeting — it's 5 minutes you don't have.
The problem isn't convenience. It's math. SPX options close at 3:15 PM CST. RSAi™ calculates and fires at 3:05 PM CST, using final-hour market data to deliver the most accurate credit target possible. Every minute between signal and execution is a minute the market can move. Bid-ask spreads widen. The credit drifts. The position you enter at 3:13 PM is not the same position RSAi™ priced at 3:05 PM CST.
Manual: RSAi™ fires → you see the signal → open broker → build 4-leg spread → verify → submit. 2–3 minutes, credit drift risk.
Auto-Execute (Pro + Masterclass): RSAi™ fires → PickMyTrade receives the signal → order hits IBKR → Iron Condor is placed with a limit order ladder → fill confirmation in your inbox. Under 10 seconds.
"You're not paying for convenience. You're paying for execution certainty in a 5-minute window. The difference between filling at the target credit and filling 10 cents worse — every day, 252 sessions a year — is meaningful. That's the value of Auto-Execute."— Russell Clark, Founder, VixShield
2 What You Need Before You Start
Auto-Execute requires four things. Have all four before proceeding to setup.
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VixShield Pro ($97/mo) or Masterclass ($497) Auto-Execute is not available on the $49/mo Signals Only plan. Both Pro and Masterclass unlock the auto-execute toggle and webhook configuration. Masterclass is a one-time payment covering 12 months of signals + full academy.
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Interactive Brokers (IBKR) account with options trading approval IBKR is the supported broker for auto-execution. You need an approved options trading account with SPX index options permissions enabled. If you don't have IBKR yet, the approval process typically takes 1–3 business days.
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PickMyTrade account PickMyTrade is the webhook middleware that bridges VixShield signals to your IBKR account. A free tier account works for basic auto-execute. Sign up at pickmytrade.trade.
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Sufficient margin/buying power Each SPX Iron Condor requires margin to cover the maximum loss on the spreads. Ensure your IBKR account has enough buying power for your intended contract size. IBKR will reject orders that exceed available margin — auto-execute does not override risk limits.
3 Step-by-Step Setup Guide
Complete all four steps in order. The entire setup takes approximately 20–30 minutes. Do it once; it runs automatically every trading day after that.
Step 3a — Connect IBKR to PickMyTrade
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1
Generate your IBKR API Key
Log in to IBKR Client Portal. Navigate to Settings → API → Generate Token. Create a new token with read + trade permissions. Copy and save this token — IBKR only shows it once.
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2
Connect in PickMyTrade
Log in to PickMyTrade. Go to Dashboard → Broker Connections → Interactive Brokers. Paste your IBKR API token and click Connect.
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3
Verify the connection
PickMyTrade will display your IBKR account number and available buying power if the connection is successful. If it fails, regenerate your IBKR token and try again — token permissions must include trade access.
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4
Copy your PickMyTrade Webhook URL
In PickMyTrade, navigate to Webhooks → Create Webhook. Select Iron Condor (SPX) as the strategy type. Copy the generated webhook URL — you'll paste this into VixShield in the next step.
Step 3b — Connect PickMyTrade to VixShield
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Open Auto-Execute Settings in VixShield
In your VixShield dashboard, go to Settings → Auto-Execute. This section is visible only to Pro and Masterclass subscribers.
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2
Paste your PickMyTrade webhook URL
Paste the webhook URL you copied from PickMyTrade into the Webhook URL field. Click Verify Connection — VixShield will send a test ping to confirm the webhook is live and receiving.
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3
Select your auto-execute tier
Choose which RSAi™ tier to auto-execute: Conservative, Balanced, or Aggressive. You can auto-execute one tier and monitor others manually — for example, auto-execute Conservative and watch Aggressive to learn the spread.
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4
Set position size
Enter the number of contracts to auto-execute per signal. Start with 1 contract during your first week to verify the full flow before scaling.
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5
Enable the auto-execute toggle
Flip the Auto-Execute: ON toggle. You'll see a confirmation dialog summarizing your settings. Confirm. Auto-execute is now active for the next trading day's signal.
Step 3c — Configure Your Risk Parameters
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1
Set maximum contracts per trade
This caps the position size even if you later adjust the contract setting in Step 3b. A hard maximum prevents runaway sizing if settings are accidentally changed.
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2
Set daily loss limit (auto-pause)
If your account loses more than this amount in a single trading day, auto-execute pauses automatically until you manually re-enable it. Recommended starting value: 2x the premium collected on a standard position.
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3
Configure fill notifications
Choose how you want to receive fill confirmations:
- Push notification (VixShield app)
- Email (includes full position details: strikes, credit received, expiry)
- SMS (optional, carrier charges may apply)
Step 3d — Test with Paper Trading First
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1
Switch IBKR to paper trading mode
In IBKR Client Portal, switch to your Paper Trading account (separate from your live account). Update your PickMyTrade broker connection to point to the paper account using the paper trading API token.
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2
Wait for the next RSAi™ signal or trigger a test
In VixShield Settings → Auto-Execute, click Send Test Signal. This fires a test webhook with a sample Iron Condor order to verify the entire PickMyTrade → IBKR flow without waiting for 3:05 PM CST.
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3
Verify in IBKR paper account
Check your IBKR paper trading account for the incoming order. Confirm that all four legs are correct — both put strikes and both call strikes — and that the limit price matches the RSAi™ target credit.
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4
Switch back to live and go live
Once the paper trade confirms the flow is correct, update PickMyTrade to use your live IBKR API token. You're ready. The next 3:05 PM CST signal will execute automatically in your live account.
4 How the Limit Order Ladder Works
When auto-execute fires, it doesn't submit a single limit order. It runs a 3-step ladder designed to get you the best available credit without chasing the market. Here's exactly what happens during those 90 seconds after RSAi™ fires:
Order Ladder — Conservative Tier Example (Target Credit: $0.65)
The ladder ensures you capture the best available credit without being stuck at a single price point. Market microstructure at 3:05 PM CST can fill the first attempt or skip straight to the floor — depending on SPX liquidity at that moment. The 3-step sequence maximizes fill probability across the acceptable credit range. The ladder never drops below the floor — if $0.60 doesn't fill, the order cancels. We don't chase trades below profitability thresholds.
5 What Happens Each Trading Day
Once configured, the entire process is automatic. Here's the timeline every trading day:
6 Safety & Controls
Auto-execute is designed with multiple fail-safes. You are always in control.
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Emergency kill switch
In VixShield Dashboard → Settings → Auto-Execute, the Disable Auto-Execute button immediately stops all future signal-to-webhook delivery. Changes are effective instantly — no waiting for the next signal.
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Daily loss limit auto-pause
If your daily loss limit is breached, auto-execute pauses automatically. You receive an alert. Re-enabling requires a manual action in the dashboard — preventing runaway losses on volatile days.
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VixShield never touches your funds
VixShield sends a signal webhook. That's it. All execution flows through your PickMyTrade account using your IBKR credentials. VixShield has no access to your brokerage account, funds, or positions at any point.
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IBKR risk controls still apply
Auto-execute does not bypass IBKR's built-in risk controls. Margin requirements, position limits, and account restrictions are enforced by IBKR before any order executes. If IBKR rejects the order, you receive a notification and no trade is placed.
7 Why Masterclass Is the Best Deal for Auto-Traders
If you're setting up auto-execute and planning to trade consistently, the math on Masterclass is straightforward:
| Feature | Signals Only $49/mo |
Pro $97/mo |
Masterclass $497 one-time |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSAi™ Signals (daily) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto-Execute (PickMyTrade + IBKR) | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Full SPX Academy | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Duration | Monthly | Monthly | 12 months (one-time) |
| 12-month cost | $588 | $1,164 | $497 |
12 months of Signals Only = $588. Masterclass = $497. You save $91 vs Signals Only — and get auto-execute plus the full academy included. 252 trading sessions. Set it up once. Serious traders treat PickMyTrade and IBKR costs as a cost of doing business — the auto-execute edge pays for itself in reduced slippage alone.
8 Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Automate Your Iron Condors?
Every minute you spend manually entering trades is a minute the market can move against you. Pro ($97/mo) and Masterclass ($497, 12 months + full academy) unlock Auto-Execute — RSAi™ signals flowing directly to IBKR, every trading day.