# Pilot Setup

> Connect as a Copy Trading pilot and Set Active on the account you actually trade so followers mirror the right book.

Source: https://tradeecho.com/docs/features/copy-trading/pilot-setup (updated 2026-07-26)

Pilots (traders) are members other subscribers can follow. Followers mirror **real fills** from the pilot's **active linked broker account** - not from Discord posts alone. Use this checklist so your copy book matches how you trade.

> **Caution: Not financial advice**
>
> Copy trading is a tool, not personalized investment advice. You are responsible for trades on your linked account and for how followers experience your signals.

## Before you start

- Active Trade Echo subscription with Copy Trading access.
- **Trader** role on the allowlist (see below).
- A broker you can link through the in-app **broker connect** flow.

## 1. Switch role to Trader

1. Open **Copy Trading** from the main menu.
2. Click **Switch Role** and choose **Trader** (not Subscriber).

**Allowlist:** In production, only approved login emails can keep **Trader** selected. If the role is missing or reverts after you save, contact Trade Echo support or ops to confirm your email is on the pilot allowlist.

## 2. Connect broker and Set Active

On **Broker Accounts**:

1. Accept copy trading terms if the app asks on first visit.
2. **Connect broker** and complete the secure sign-in at your broker.
3. Return to Trade Echo and confirm status shows **connected**.
4. Run **Sync** so balances and buying power refresh.
5. Tap **Set Active** on the **one account you actually trade** for alerts and live execution.

Copy signals and fanout use the **active** account. If capital or buying power looks empty after sync, pick a funded sub-account or reconnect until the card shows usable balances.

## Align VIP alerts with copy trading

Followers copy the **active** pilot account inside Trade Echo. **Discord VIP alerts** may show trades you **post**, but copy only fires when fills appear on your **active linked** account.

Keep your everyday trading account and your **Set Active** copy account aligned so alert quality matches copy quality. Switching accounts is allowed. After a switch, if detection looks stale or old trades reappear, ping support or ops so checkpoints can be refreshed.

## 3. Confirm health

- **Overview** (Trader) - Connection health and follower-oriented stats when available.
- **Positions** - Your fills and execution history on the active account.
- **Follower activity** - Subscribers should see new signals in their **Overview** / **Positions** feeds when you trade the active account.

When you are ready for members to follow you, tell the team you are live and share the **email** on your Trade Echo account.

## Troubleshooting (quick)

| Symptom | What to try |
|--------|-------------|
| **Trader** role unavailable | Confirm allowlist with support or ops. |
| Connection pending | Wait a few minutes, **Refresh status**, finish any broker verification email. |
| No capital / buying power on card | **Sync** again; try another sub-account if your broker has several. |
| Followers miss trades you post in Discord | **Set Active** on the account where those fills actually happen. |

## Related docs

- **[Copy Trading Overview](https://tradeecho.com/docs/features/copy-trading/overview)** - How copying works for subscribers and pilots.
- **[Using Copy Trading](https://tradeecho.com/docs/features/copy-trading/dashboard)** - Tab-by-tab walkthrough (Broker Accounts, Positions, Support).
- **[Copy Trading FAQ](https://tradeecho.com/docs/features/copy-trading/faq)** - Skip reasons, VIP alerts vs copy, broker routing, and help channels.