CQG - Getting Started

Step One - What you'll need to start:

  • Be sure you have a Subscription or trial of Investor/RT.
  • Make sure your Linn Software subscription includes CQG Market Access. Click here to learn what CQG Market Access is and why you need it. There is no charge for CQG access while you are on trial.
  • It is recommended but not required that your Linn Software subscription includes DTN Market Access. This is a Historical Data service backed by DTN and marketed by Linn Software. This is a more robust historical data service that supports longer term tick data and intra-day interval data than CQG provides. Click here to learn more about DTN Market Access. There is no charge for it while you are on trial.
  • Sign the CQG End User License Agreement. (You may be prompted to login first)
  • An account with a CQG supported broker or a trial of one. We'd prefer your trial be with an actual broker so that at the conclusion of the trial, the transition to a live funded account is seamless. If you do not yet have a broker, you can obtain Linn Software CQG demo credentials here.
  • If you already have a Brokerage account that utilizes the CQG Order Routing system, contact your broker and verify that the CQG vendor label LinnSoft is enabled on your account. CQG credentials for use with Investor/RT are available from many FCMs/Brokers, including ADMIS, AMP, Dorman, EdgeClear, Stage5, Advantage Futures, Tradovate, NinjaTrader Brokerage, Phillips USA.
  • Reminder : CQG only allows one connection to your trading account at a time. If you wish to connect simultaneously Investor/RT and one of CQG's native platforms (such as CQG QTrader, Desktop or Mobile), you should contact your brokerage firm to see if they can provide a second login ID.

Step Two - Start Investor/RT for the first time.

  • Download Investor/RT and run the installer. Then start Investor/RT.
  • If you're running for the first time, you will see the Setup Wizard as shown below. If you do not see it, go to File > Functions > Setup Wizard and press Go to start it:
  • Select Broker Source and press Next and the Setup Wizard will guide you through the process of setting up your feed, adding a list of symbols for CQG and activating your license. If you have subscribed to the DTN MA historical backfill services, it will be automatically activated after your license confirmation.
  • When the Setup Wizard is complete, Investor/RT will automatically restart. Go to step 3.

Step Three - Activate your License.

  • Go to File > License to open the License window. If the window is filled out already and you see a green text string indicating you are activated, you can close the window and skip the rest of this step.
  • In the license window, fill in your name and the email address you used to setup your account. Then retrieve your License code and User ID from the Licenses Tab of your User Dashboard and fill those in and press Activate.
  • Follow the prompts through the activate process to complete activation.

Step Four - Resources you'll want to read to get up and running fast