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How to run your trading system live on your broker account (MetaTrader 5 setup)

Set up MetaTrader 5, install your exported trading system, and run it on a server so it trades around the clock.

How to run your trading system live on your broker account (MetaTrader 5 setup)

Your complete beginner-friendly guide (Windows)

You’ve just exported your first trading system from Profectus. If not, grab a ready-made template here: Download Your First Trading System

To actually use your trading system, you’ll run it live inside MetaTrader 5 (MT5), the terminal almost every broker supports.

Two Ways to Run Your Trading System

Before we start, choose your setup path:

Option 1 — Trade Server (Paid - Recommended for Beginners)

If you want to skip installations, folders, and technical hurdles, go with this.

What is the Profectus Server?

A pre-configured trading server, ready to run your trading system around the clock.
It comes with:

  • MT5 already installed

  • All Profectus trading system templates preloaded

  • High-quality historical tick data prepared

  • 24/7 uptime — no laptop sleep mode, no shutdowns

  • Perfect for beginners and pros needing stability

🎥 Profectus Trading Server

Option 2 — DIY: Set Up MT5 Yourself (Free)

If you want to run MT5 locally on your machine, follow the full sequence below.
This matches the onboarding video exactly.
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🎥 Step-by-Step MT5 Setup (Windows)

DIY Setup: Full Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1 — Download MetaTrader 5

  1. Go to: https://www.metatrader5.com/en/download

  2. Download MetaTrader 5 for Windows
    (Mac users: Check this article)

  3. Run the installer → “Next → Next → Finish.”

  4. MT5 will launch automatically after installation.

Video tutorial on how to download MT5

Step 2 — Sign Up With a Broker (Demo Account)

MT5 needs a broker connection so it can pull live market data.
Without this, backtests will fail with errors.
​

Use any broker that offers MetaTrader 5. Look for one that’s regulated and offers reliable MT5 demo accounts.

How to create your demo account

  1. Go to your chosen broker’s website and open a demo account signup.

  2. Enter your email and personal information.

  3. Complete the signup steps.

  4. Skip ID verification — it isn’t needed for demo trading.

Then:

  1. Go to Trading Accounts → Demo → Create Demo Account

  2. Settings recommended in your video:

    • Leverage: higher (to avoid margin issues)

    • Balance: 100,000 (for easy testing)

    • Account Type: Standard

  3. Copy:

    • Account Number

    • Password

    • Server Name

Video tutorial on how to sign up with a broker

Step 3 — Log Into MT5 With Your Demo Account

  1. Open MT5

  2. Go to File → Login to Trade Account

  3. Paste:

    • Login

    • Password

    • Server name (e.g., YourBroker-Demo)

  4. Click OK

  5. Wait a few seconds for connection confirmation

If connected successfully:

  • Market Watch will show live quotes

  • The connection bar (bottom right) turns green

Video tutorial on how to log into MT5

Step 4 — Open the MT5 Data Folder

This is where all trading systems (EAs) must be placed.

In MT5: File → Open Data Folder
Then navigate to: MQL5 → Experts

Step 5 — Upload Your Profectus Trading System (.ex5)

  1. Copy your downloaded .ex5 file

  2. Paste it inside: MQL5 → Experts → (your folder, e.g. “My first trading system”)

  3. Close the folder

  4. In MT5 → Navigator window:

    • Right-click Expert Advisors

    • Click Refresh

  5. Your trading system will now appear under Expert Advisors

Video tutorial on how to upload your trading system to MT5

Step 6 — Run Your First Visual Backtest (Your Dopamine Moment)

This is the part every beginner loves — watching your trading system actually trade.

Run your first backtest inside Profectus, where building, backtesting and analysis all happen:

  1. Open your project and click TEST STRATEGY, top right of the builder canvas.

  2. Set your Project, Asset, Timeframe, and Date range (2015 to 2026).

  3. Click START BACK-TEST.

The backtest runs in the cloud, typically 2 to 15 minutes (free users get 5 per month). The right-hand Backtests panel shows Net Profit %, PF, and Win Rate, and keeps multiple runs so you can compare them. Click SEE CHART to watch every trade plotted on a candlestick chart — winners in green, losers in red, for up to 200 trades — or click VIEW for the full multi-page Backtest Report, downloadable as a PDF.

Backtests run on 1-minute historical bar data, free for every user. Tick-level backtesting is coming soon.

Full walkthrough: How to Backtest on Profectus.ai

Optional secondary check — visual check in MT5

Once your trading system is running, you can also watch it operate directly in MT5’s Strategy Tester as a quick visual check on your own broker feed:

  1. Open Strategy Tester

    • View → Strategy Tester

  2. Choose:

    • Your Profectus EA

    • The correct symbol (e.g., GBPJPY)

    • The correct timeframe (e.g., H1)

    • Mode: Every tick (accurate)

    • Enable Visual Mode

  3. Select a reasonable date range such as 'last year'

  4. Click Start

A new window appears showing:

  • Candles moving

  • Trades being placed

  • Stop losses / take profits dynamically

  • Trade list in “Deals” or “History”

Video tutorial on how to run your trading system in visual mode

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