Your First Backtest (Web App)

The web app at app.usekeel.io is the visual alternative to the CLI. Same backend, same strategies, same backtests — different surface. Use this if you prefer drag-and-drop component composition with a chat-driven AI editor over a terminal.

CLI-first users — read Getting Started instead. That's the v1 install path: pipx install keel-trade + keel auth login + your agent has full access. This page is for users who'd rather build visually.

Prerequisites

• A Keel account (sign up free)

Step 1: Create a Strategy

From your dashboard, click New Strategy and give it a name.

Step 2: Add Components

Add components from the sidebar to build your pipeline. A minimal strategy needs:

1. Data source — loads price data for your chosen instruments and timeframe
2. Signal — generates trading signals from the data (e.g., momentum, mean reversion)
3. Forecast scaling — normalizes signals to a consistent scale
4. Position sizing — converts forecasts into target portfolio weights

Step 3: Connect the Pipeline

Connect the components in order. The builder validates all connections automatically — fix any errors in the problems panel before proceeding.

Step 4: Run the Backtest

1. Click the Backtest button
2. Set the date range (e.g., last 90 days)
3. Click Run

Step 5: Read the Results

Your backtest report includes:

What's Next?

• Switch to the CLI / agent flow for keyboard-driven and AI-driven iteration
• Agent Setup — wire your strategy into Claude Code, Cursor, etc.
• Deploy live once you're satisfied with the results — see "Going live" in Getting Started