Open MetaTrader 5, log in, and Nebula links to that account by itself.
You need
- MetaTrader 5 for Windows from your broker
- a logged in account (a demo is fine)
- Nebula 0.4.54
Why link at all
Linked, Nebula prices every test with your broker's real spread, swap and contract size. Deploy, live tracking and the MetaTrader match check need the link. Testing on downloaded history does not.
Steps
Open MetaTrader 5 and log in
Open MetaTrader 5 yourself and sign in. Wait until the bottom right shows a data rate, not No connection.
Open Nebula
The start window's last check is Broker. On the launcher the Broker row shows the link.
| Broker row | What it means |
|---|---|
| Looking · Finding MetaTrader | Searching your PC for MetaTrader installs |
| Linking · Connecting to MetaTrader | Found it, reading your account |
| Linked · broker, acc number, demo or live | Done |
| Not found · You can still build and test | No MetaTrader install on this PC |
You do not have to wait. Launch Nebula works while it links, and the link finishes in the background.
EngineReady
LicenceActive
BrokerLinked · broker, account, demo or live
Launch Nebula
Launch without a broker
Check the link light
After launch, the top bar shows a small chip only when something needs you. No chip means you are linked. The Home hub pill shows your broker, account number and DEMO or LIVE.
| Top bar chip | What it means | What a click does |
|---|---|---|
| None | Linked | Nothing to do |
| Linking broker… or Relinking (broker)… | Still reading MetaTrader | Nothing. Wait. |
| (broker) link down · reconnecting | Logged in, but the broker server dropped | Nothing. It re reads when the broker is back. |
| Open MetaTrader to link | MetaTrader is closed | Opens MetaTrader once and links |
| MetaTrader stuck · close it in Task Manager | MetaTrader did not close properly | Close terminal64.exe in Task Manager, then click |
| Broker not linked · relinking | It failed. Nebula retries every minute. | Retries now |
| Broker not linked · retry | Retries are used up | Retries now |
Check the account in Settings
Open Settings › Licence & System. Under System Information the Status reads Locked · live spec pulled from terminal. Broker, Server, Account, Leverage, Currency, Balance and Equity are listed, with a per symbol table of spread, pip, contract and swaps.
Settings›Licence & System›System Information
- Licence & System
- Performance
- Support
StatusLocked · live spec pulled from terminal
Brokeryour broker
Accountyour account number
Re-acquire broker spec
More than one terminal or account
Pick the one you trade
In Settings › Licence & System, the Connected account list shows every terminal Nebula found. Click a row to switch. The row you are on shows connected and a tick.
Know what a switch does
Deploys go to the terminal you are connected to. Switching re routes them. Your deployed EAs keep trading while it switches.
Changed account inside MetaTrader?
Press Re-acquire broker spec so Nebula reads the new login.
Terminal not listed?
Portable and prop firm builds in a custom folder are not found by the scan. Press Add terminal folder… and pick the folder that holds terminal64.exe. Press ↺ Rescan installs after installing a new terminal.
Test without a broker
On the launcher press Launch without a broker. The Home hub pill reads TESTING WITHOUT A BROKER. Download history in Settings › Price data › Extra history data, then pick it under Price data in New Test. Deploy and live tracking still need MetaTrader.
The first test downloads your data
The first test on a pair and timeframe pulls that price history from your broker, so it takes longer. Nebula keeps it per broker. Later tests on the same pair skip the download. See and clear the cache in Settings › Price data.
Options
| Control | Where | What it does | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Nebula | Launcher | Opens the app and keeps linking in the background | Enter key |
| Launch without a broker | Launcher | Opens with no broker. Tests use downloaded history. | Off |
| Connected account list | Settings › Licence & System | Switches the terminal Nebula reads and deploys to | The last one that linked |
| Re-acquire broker spec | Same | Re reads the account you are on | |
| ↺ Rescan installs | Same | Searches the PC for MetaTrader again | |
| Add terminal folder… | Same | Adds a portable or prop firm install by folder |
If something goes wrong
Broker Not found
WhyMetaTrader is not installed, or it is portable
FixInstall MetaTrader 5, or use Add terminal folder…
Open MetaTrader to link keeps coming back
WhyMetaTrader is closed
FixOpen it and log in. Nebula links within a minute.
MetaTrader 5 is open but not logged in
WhyNo account signed in
FixIn MetaTrader choose File › Login to Trade Account, then retry.
Linked to the wrong account
WhySeveral terminals are installed
FixClick the right row in Connected account.
Show 4 more
The live connection is on a different account than the one you selected.
WhyA switch did not finish
FixPress Re-acquire broker spec or restart Nebula. New deploys wait until then.
Switch account mid-run?
WhyA switch would stop the running search
FixStay to finish the search, or Switch & stop run.
The first test sits on the download
WhyA cold terminal is streaming a lot of history
FixLet it run. The bar keeps moving. A red Stall detected notice means it really stopped.
Engine offline, switching paused
WhyThe engine is restarting
FixWait for it to reconnect.
Still stuck? Settings › Support › Report a problem, then Send report.
Questions
Does Nebula need my MetaTrader password?
No. It reads whatever account MetaTrader is logged in to.
Do I keep MetaTrader open?
For linking and deploying, yes. Nebula can close. Your EAs need MetaTrader open to trade.
Can I use MetaTrader 4?
Yes, on Windows. See use-nebula-with-metatrader-4.