> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.joinmobius.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Mobius quickstart: build and deploy your first bot

> Create an account, describe your first trading strategy, run a backtest, and deploy a bot to paper trading in under 10 minutes.

This guide walks you through the full Mobius workflow end to end — from signup to a running paper trading deployment.

## Before you begin

You need a Mobius account. If you don't have one yet, go to [joinmobius.com](https://www.joinmobius.com) and sign up. The Free plan is sufficient to complete this guide.

## Step 1 — Describe a strategy

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the dashboard">
    Go to [joinmobius.com](https://www.joinmobius.com) and sign in. You'll land on the main dashboard with a chat interface in the center.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Type your strategy">
    In the chat input, describe the strategy you want to test. If you don't have one in mind, try this:

    ```
    Buy SPY when the 9-day EMA crosses above the 21-day EMA.
    Sell when the 9-day EMA crosses back below the 21-day EMA.
    Use 10% of portfolio per trade.
    ```

    Press **Enter** to send.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Answer any clarifying questions">
    Mobius may ask follow-up questions — for example, the timeframe (daily bars vs. intraday) or a stop-loss level. Answer each question to complete the strategy definition. You can also include all details in your first message to skip this step.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Step 2 — Run a backtest

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open backtest configuration">
    Once your strategy is defined, Mobius shows a **Run Backtest** button. Click it to open the backtest configuration panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set parameters">
    Configure the following:

    * **Starting capital** — default is \$10,000
    * **Date range** — try the last 3–5 years for daily strategies
    * **Commission** — default is \$0 (adjust for your broker)
    * **Slippage** — default is 0.01% per trade
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Run Backtest">
    Mobius fetches historical data, runs the AI-driven simulation bar by bar, and returns results within a few seconds.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review results">
    Check the key metrics — **total return**, **Sharpe ratio**, **max drawdown**, **win rate**, and **trade count**. Scroll the equity curve to see how the portfolio performed over time.

    If results look poor, go back to the chat and refine your strategy. You can iterate as many times as you like.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Step 3 — Save your bot

<Steps>
  <Step title="Save the strategy">
    Once you're happy with the backtest, click **Save Bot** and give it a name. The bot is now accessible from **My Bots** in the left sidebar.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Step 4 — Deploy to paper trading

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the bot">
    Navigate to **My Bots** and open the bot you just saved.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Deploy">
    Click the **Deploy** button. This opens the deployment configuration panel.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose paper trading">
    Make sure **Paper Trading** is selected. Paper trading uses simulated funds — no real money is ever at risk.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose an execution frequency">
    Select how often the bot checks for signals. For a daily EMA crossover strategy, choose **Daily**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create and activate">
    Click **Create Deployment**, then click **Activate** on the deployment detail page. Your bot is now live.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Step 5 — Monitor performance

Navigate to **Deployments** in the left sidebar. The Deployment Monitor shows your bot's live portfolio value, open positions, trade history, and current indicator values — all updated in real time.

<Check>
  You've successfully built a strategy, backtested it, and deployed it to paper trading. The bot will now evaluate signals at every scheduled interval during market hours.
</Check>

## What's next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Refine with the visual editor" icon="sliders" href="/guides/visual-editor">
    Fine-tune indicator parameters without retyping your strategy.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connect a brokerage" icon="building-columns" href="/account/broker-connection">
    Link a real account to enable live order execution.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Set up alerts" icon="bell" href="/guides/alerts">
    Get notified by email when your bot trades.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Explore chart studio" icon="chart-area" href="/visualizations/overview">
    Ask Mobius to visualize any market data or indicator.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>