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nofx/docs/guides/faq.en.md

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Quick answers to common questions. For detailed troubleshooting, see Troubleshooting Guide.


General Questions

What is NOFX?

NOFX is an AI-powered cryptocurrency trading bot that uses large language models (LLMs) to make trading decisions on futures markets.

Which exchanges are supported?

  • Binance Futures
  • Hyperliquid
  • 🚧 More exchanges coming soon

Is NOFX profitable?

AI trading is experimental and not guaranteed to be profitable. Always start with small amounts and never invest more than you can afford to lose.

Can I run multiple traders simultaneously?

Yes! NOFX supports running multiple traders with different configurations, AI models, and trading strategies.


Setup & Configuration

What are the system requirements?

  • OS: Linux, macOS, or Windows (Docker recommended)
  • RAM: 2GB minimum, 4GB recommended
  • Disk: 1GB for application + logs
  • Network: Stable internet connection

Do I need coding experience?

No! NOFX has a web UI for all configuration. However, basic command line knowledge helps with setup and troubleshooting.

How do I get API keys?

  1. Binance: Account → API Management → Create API → Enable Futures
  2. Hyperliquid: Visit Hyperliquid App → API Settings

Should I use a subaccount?

Recommended: Yes, use a subaccount dedicated to NOFX for better risk isolation. However, note that some subaccounts have restrictions (e.g., 5x max leverage on Binance).


Trading Questions

Why isn't my trader making any trades?

Common reasons:

  • AI decided to "wait" due to market conditions
  • Insufficient balance or margin
  • Position limits reached (default: max 3 positions)
  • See detailed diagnostics in Troubleshooting Guide

How often does the AI make decisions?

Configurable! Default is every 3-5 minutes. Too frequent = overtrading, too slow = missed opportunities.

Can I customize the trading strategy?

Yes! You can:

  • Adjust leverage settings
  • Modify coin selection pool
  • Change decision intervals
  • Customize system prompts (advanced)

What's the maximum number of concurrent positions?

Default: 3 positions. This is a soft limit defined in the AI prompt, not hard-coded. See decision/engine.go:266.


Technical Issues

Binance Position Mode Error (code=-4061)

Error: Order's position side does not match user's setting

Solution: Switch to Hedge Mode (双向持仓)

  1. Login to Binance Futures
  2. Click ⚙️ Preferences (top right)
  3. Select Position ModeHedge Mode
  4. ⚠️ Close all positions first

Why: NOFX uses PositionSide(LONG/SHORT) which requires Hedge Mode.

See Issue #202 and Troubleshooting Guide.


Backend won't start / Port already in use

Solution:

# Check what's using port 8080
lsof -i :8080

# Change port in .env
NOFX_BACKEND_PORT=8081

Frontend shows "Loading..." forever

Quick Check:

# Is backend running?
curl http://localhost:8080/api/health

# Should return: {"status":"ok"}

If not, check Troubleshooting Guide.


Database locked error

Solution:

# Stop all NOFX processes
docker compose down
# OR
pkill nofx

# Restart
docker compose up -d

AI & Model Questions

Which AI models are supported?

  • DeepSeek (recommended for cost/performance)
  • Qwen (Alibaba Cloud Tongyi Qianwen)
  • Custom OpenAI-compatible APIs (can be used for OpenAI, Claude via proxy, or other providers)

How much do API calls cost?

Depends on your model and decision frequency:

  • DeepSeek: ~$0.10-0.50 per day (1 trader, 5min intervals)
  • Qwen: ~$0.20-0.80 per day
  • Custom API (e.g., OpenAI GPT-4): ~$2-5 per day

Estimates based on typical usage. Actual costs vary by provider and usage.

Can I use multiple AI models?

Yes! Each trader can use a different AI model. You can even A/B test different models.

Does the AI learn from its mistakes?

Yes, to some extent. NOFX provides historical performance feedback in each decision prompt, allowing the AI to adjust its strategy.


Data & Privacy

Where is my data stored?

All data is stored locally in PostgreSQL (Docker volume postgres_data) plus:

  • decision_logs/ - AI decision records

Is my API key secure?

API keys are stored in local databases. Never share your databases or .env files. We recommend using API keys with IP whitelist restrictions.

Can I export my trading history?

Yes! Use pg_dump or psql to export data:

docker compose exec postgres \
  psql -U nofx -d nofx -c "SELECT * FROM trades;"

Troubleshooting

Where can I find detailed troubleshooting?

See the comprehensive Troubleshooting Guide for:

  • Step-by-step diagnostics
  • Log collection methods
  • Common error solutions
  • Emergency reset procedures

How do I report a bug?

  1. Check Troubleshooting Guide first
  2. Search existing issues
  3. If not found, use our Bug Report Template

Where can I get help?


Contributing

Can I contribute to NOFX?

Yes! We welcome contributions:

How do I suggest new features?

Open a Feature Request with your idea!


Last Updated: 2025-11-02