RiskPicksWhat are Hot Keys?
Hot keys are programmable keyboard shortcuts that execute trades instantly without using the mouse. Day traders: especially scalpers: rely on hot keys for speed.
Common hot key setups
- Buy at ask: instantly buy at the current asking price
- Sell at bid: instantly sell at the current bid price
- Flatten position: close entire position immediately
- Partial exit: sell half or a third of your position
Most direct-access platforms (DAS Trader, Lightspeed, Sterling) support fully customizable hot keys. Setting these up correctly can mean the difference between catching a move and missing it.