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Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about the TradingAgents platform, its data sources, and the autonomous AI agents powering the research pipeline.

General Questions

Where does the platform get its information from?

TradingAgents pulls from 12 distinct public data channels across two layers. The first layer is our proprietary OSINT sweep (Colonel Wolfe), which queries:

  • SEC EDGAR for Form 4 insider trades, 8-K material events, and 13-F institutional holdings
  • USASpending.gov for federal government contract awards and amounts
  • FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) for Fed funds rate, CPI, unemployment, Treasury yields, and the VIX
  • ApeWisdom for Reddit retail mention volume, rank, and 24-hour momentum
  • yfinance for company fundamentals, technicals (RSI, SMA, Bollinger Bands, MACD), earnings calendars, sector rotation, options flow (put/call ratios, max pain, unusual volume), and insider transaction history

The second layer is the Tauric Research framework, where four specialized AI research agents independently process this data across technical, sentiment, news, and fundamental verticals. No paid data subscriptions are required. Everything runs through publicly available government and financial APIs.

What is TradingAgents?

TradingAgents is an autonomous multi-agent research platform that deploys 9 AI agents across 6 analytical stages to produce institutional-grade stock analysis. It extends the open-source TradingAgents framework from Tauric Research with a proprietary OSINT intelligence layer, custom agent architectures, and a full-stack analytical dashboard. The platform researches, debates, and assesses risk without human intervention, delivering a structured investment recommendation to the final human decision-maker.

Is this real trading or simulated?

The platform produces research and recommendations only. It does not execute real trades or connect to any brokerage. Our SimTrader module (currently in beta) allows paper trading at live market prices to benchmark the quality of agent analysis over time. No real money is ever at risk through the platform itself. The final investment decision always rests with the human portfolio manager.

What AI models power the agents?

The platform supports multiple LLM providers including Anthropic (Claude), OpenAI (GPT), Google Gemini, DeepSeek, and xAI Grok. Each analysis run can be configured with different model tiers. The default configuration uses DeepSeek for cost-efficient deep reasoning, but the architecture is model-agnostic. Any agent can be swapped to a different provider without changing the pipeline logic.

How long does a full analysis take?

A complete 6-stage analysis for a single ticker typically takes 3 to 8 minutes, depending on the model tier selected and the complexity of the adversarial debate. This includes the full OSINT intelligence sweep, all four research verticals, multiple rounds of bull/bear debate, judicial verdict, three-perspective risk assessment, and final consensus synthesis. Every step produces documented deliverables stored in the database.

Can I run analysis on any stock?

Yes. The platform supports any publicly traded US equity with a valid ticker symbol. You can add tickers to your watchlist, set analysis frequency, and run on-demand or scheduled analysis. The OSINT layer adapts its intelligence sweep based on the company's sector, whether it holds government contracts, and the availability of options data for that symbol.

What does the Crypto Analyzer do?

The Crypto Intelligence Analyzer is a specialized pipeline that activates whenever a digital asset or cryptocurrency is the target. Instead of the traditional equity OSINT sweep, Agent Jake Summers executes a crypto-native reconnaissance protocol that includes:

  • On-chain analytics tracking large wallet movements, accumulation patterns, and whale activity across major blockchains
  • Exchange flow monitoring measuring inflow/outflow ratios to detect whether holders are moving assets to exchanges (distribution) or cold storage (accumulation)
  • DeFi protocol metrics including Total Value Locked (TVL) shifts, liquidity pool depth, and protocol revenue trends
  • Crypto social sentiment aggregating signals from crypto-native communities, developer activity, and influencer positioning
  • Token unlock schedules and governance proposals that could impact circulating supply or protocol direction

Jake's briefing replaces Colonel Wolfe's equity-focused intelligence when the target is crypto, ensuring the downstream research analysts, debate advocates, and risk assessors are working with data sources relevant to decentralized markets rather than traditional financial instruments.

What does the Polymarket Analyzer do?

The Polymarket Intelligence Analyzer is a completely separate 6-agent adversarial pipeline purpose-built for binary prediction markets. It does not use the equity or crypto pipeline. Instead, it deploys its own specialized agents:

  • Nadia Petrova (Intelligence Analyst) researches historical precedent, current political and economic conditions, expert polling data, and public sentiment to establish the factual foundation
  • Lena Torres (YES Advocate) constructs the strongest case for the event occurring, identifying catalysts and favorable precedents
  • Ryan Ashford (NO Advocate) dismantles the YES thesis by identifying barriers, failure rates, and overlooked risks
  • Derek Harmon (Contrarian Analyst) stress-tests the emerging consensus for cognitive biases, anchoring effects, and narrative fallacies
  • Dr. Anika Patel (Probability Synthesizer) integrates all arguments into a calibrated probability estimate using Bayesian reasoning
  • Marco Chen (Edge Calculator) compares the AI's probability against the live market price to calculate expected value and issue a final recommendation

The output is a structured analysis with a consensus probability, the calculated edge against the market, and a recommendation ranging from Strong Buy YES to Strong Buy NO.

What does the DayTrader tool do?

DayTrader is a compressed, speed-optimized version of the full TradingAgents pipeline designed specifically for intraday trading. While a standard analysis run takes 3 to 8 minutes across 6 stages, DayTrader condenses the analytical process to generate actionable intelligence within minutes.

DayTrader focuses on time-sensitive signals that matter for intraday positioning:

  • Real-time momentum scanning detecting rapid price acceleration or deceleration patterns across your watchlist
  • VWAP analysis identifying when price deviates significantly from the Volume Weighted Average Price, a key institutional reference level
  • Volume profiling flagging unusual volume spikes that indicate institutional activity or breakout conditions
  • Order flow imbalance detection monitoring bid/ask depth and trade tape for signs of aggressive buying or selling
  • Entry and exit signal generation producing specific price levels for entries, stops, and targets based on the compressed analysis

DayTrader is designed for traders who need the intelligence quality of the full pipeline but cannot wait for a multi-stage adversarial debate when markets are moving in real time.

Agent Deep Dives

Stage 0 What does Colonel Don Wolfe do?

Col. Don Wolfe (RET) is the Intelligence Officer and the first agent in the pipeline. Before any research analyst touches a ticker, he executes a full-spectrum open-source intelligence sweep across every available data channel.

His reconnaissance protocol includes:

  • SEC EDGAR queries for Form 4 insider trades (who is buying/selling company stock), 8-K material event filings (mergers, leadership changes, lawsuits), and 13-F institutional holdings (what hedge funds are accumulating or dumping)
  • Federal contract searches via USASpending.gov to identify government revenue exposure, contract award amounts, and awarding agency relationships
  • FRED macroeconomic indicators including the federal funds rate, CPI inflation data, unemployment rate, 10-year and 2-year Treasury yields (yield curve analysis), and the VIX volatility index
  • Reddit retail sentiment via ApeWisdom, tracking mention volume, rank among all stocks, upvote momentum, and 24-hour mention velocity changes
  • Comprehensive yfinance data including full company profile, market cap, P/E ratios, PEG ratio, price-to-book, 52-week range, beta, dividend yield, earnings calendar with EPS/revenue estimates, RSI, 20/50/200-day SMAs, Bollinger Bands, MACD, volume profile analysis, sector ETF rotation performance, options chain data (put/call ratios, max pain calculation, unusual volume strikes), and insider transaction history

The Colonel compiles everything into a classified-style intelligence briefing document that serves as the foundational input for all downstream agents. No research analyst, debate advocate, or risk assessor operates without first reviewing his findings.

Stage 1 What does Marcus Chen do?

Marcus Chen is the Chief Technical Analyst operating in Stage 1. He specializes in quantitative price action analysis and multi-timeframe technical indicator synthesis.

Marcus processes the technical data from Colonel Wolfe's briefing and applies his own analysis layer:

  • Chart pattern recognition across daily, weekly, and monthly timeframes to identify trend direction and reversal signals
  • RSI oscillation analysis to detect overbought/oversold conditions and divergence patterns against price action
  • Moving average convergence evaluating the relationship between 20-day, 50-day, and 200-day SMAs, including golden cross and death cross signals
  • Bollinger Band compression to identify volatility squeeze setups that precede significant directional moves
  • Volume profile analysis comparing current trading volume against historical averages to validate price movements
  • MACD signal interpretation including histogram divergences and centerline crossovers

His output is a structured technical probability framework that quantifies the statistical likelihood of upside vs downside price movement based purely on price action data.

Stage 1 What does Sarah Mitchell do?

Sarah Mitchell is the Sentiment Intelligence Lead. She operates the sentiment quantification engine that processes both institutional and retail positioning data.

  • Options flow analysis including put/call ratios by volume and open interest, max pain calculations, and identification of unusual options activity at specific strikes
  • Insider transaction monitoring tracking C-suite and board member buying/selling patterns, transaction sizes, and timing relative to earnings
  • Reddit retail sentiment quantifying mention velocity, rank changes, and upvote momentum as a gauge of retail conviction
  • Institutional positioning signals derived from 13-F filing patterns and changes in institutional ownership concentration

Sarah constructs a composite sentiment score that captures conviction levels across both retail and institutional participants, fear/greed indicators, and short interest dynamics.

Stage 1 What does James Rivera do?

James Rivera is the News and Media Analyst. He monitors and processes real-time information streams to extract actionable intelligence from unstructured media data.

  • 8-K material event filings from SEC EDGAR for mergers, acquisitions, leadership changes, and legal proceedings
  • Earnings calendar analysis including upcoming report dates, consensus EPS/revenue estimates, and historical surprise patterns
  • Macroeconomic event correlation connecting FRED indicators (rate decisions, inflation data, employment reports) to sector-specific impact assessments
  • Federal contract intelligence flagging new government awards that could materially impact revenue projections

James flags material catalysts, sector rotation triggers, and geopolitical risk vectors. His analysis identifies time-sensitive information that could alter the investment thesis before the market fully prices it in.

Stage 1 What does Elena Kowalski do?

Elena Kowalski is the Fundamentals Research Lead. She conducts deep-dive financial statement analysis and valuation modeling.

  • Revenue growth trajectory analysis evaluating quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year growth rates against sector benchmarks
  • Margin structure assessment analyzing gross, operating, and net margins for expansion or contraction trends
  • Valuation model scoring using P/E, forward P/E, PEG ratio, and price-to-book against historical averages and peer comparisons
  • Balance sheet resilience evaluating debt-to-equity ratios, current ratio, and free cash flow generation capacity
  • Capital allocation efficiency assessing dividend sustainability, share buyback programs, and R&D investment relative to revenue

Elena produces a composite fundamentals score using proprietary scoring methodologies that weight each factor based on the company's sector and growth stage.

Stage 2 What does David Park do?

David Park is the Bull Case Advocate operating in Stage 2 (Investment Debate). His role is to construct the strongest possible investment thesis in favor of each position.

David aggregates the most compelling evidence from all four research verticals (technical, sentiment, news, fundamentals) and builds a rigorous case for upside potential. He identifies:

  • Asymmetric risk/reward opportunities where downside is limited but upside potential is significant
  • Margin-of-safety arguments based on valuation discounts to intrinsic value
  • Catalyst timelines including upcoming earnings, product launches, or regulatory approvals that could trigger re-rating
  • Institutional accumulation signals suggesting smart money is positioning ahead of a move

David is not permitted to equivocate or present balanced analysis. His mandate is to present the most aggressive, evidence-backed bull thesis possible, which is then stress-tested by Catherine Walsh (Bear Advocate).

Stage 2 What does Catherine Walsh do?

Catherine Walsh is the Bear Case Advocate. She systematically deconstructs the investment thesis, stress-testing every assumption against downside scenarios.

  • Valuation risk identification flagging stretched multiples, revenue deceleration, or earnings quality concerns
  • Competitive threat analysis evaluating market share erosion, pricing pressure, and technological disruption risks
  • Macro headwind assessment connecting rising rates, inflation, or sector rotation away from the stock's category
  • Insider selling patterns highlighting executive dumping ahead of potential negative catalysts

Catherine forces the pipeline to confront uncomfortable data points that the bull thesis may have downplayed. This adversarial structure ensures that no investment recommendation passes through without surviving rigorous scrutiny from both sides.

Stage 3 What does Michael Torres do?

Michael Torres is the Research Director, operating in Stage 3. He presides over the adversarial debate between the bull and bear advocates like a judicial figure.

Michael does not have a predetermined bias. His role is to:

  • Evaluate evidence strength determining which advocate presented more substantive, data-backed arguments
  • Assess logical consistency identifying circular reasoning, unsupported claims, or cherry-picked data points in either thesis
  • Score analytical rigor weighing the quality of quantitative analysis against qualitative assertions
  • Issue a binding verdict declaring which side, bull or bear, presented the more defensible thesis based on the available data

His verdict determines the informational foundation upon which the final risk assessment and portfolio decision are built. The debate transcript and judicial decision are both preserved in the audit trail.

Stage 4 How does the Risk Committee work?

The Risk Committee is a three-member evaluation board in Stage 4 that examines every position through three distinct analytical lenses simultaneously:

  • Aggressive Analyst quantifies maximum upside capture potential, optimal entry timing, and position sizing for maximum return. This perspective identifies what the portfolio stands to gain if the thesis plays out
  • Conservative Analyst models worst-case drawdown scenarios, capital preservation thresholds, and stop-loss levels. This perspective quantifies what could go wrong and how much capital is at risk
  • Neutral Analyst balances both perspectives against portfolio-level correlation risk, concentration limits, and sector exposure. This perspective ensures no single position creates outsized portfolio risk

A Risk Judge then synthesizes all three inputs into a unified risk verdict that directly informs the final portfolio directive. The risk assessment considers not just the individual position, but how it interacts with the broader portfolio context.

Final Stage What does Brian Galvan do?

Brian Galvan is the Portfolio Manager and the only human in the entire pipeline. He operates at Stage 5, the final decision stage, where every analysis run terminates.

By the time a recommendation reaches Brian, it has already passed through:

  • Colonel Wolfe's intelligence briefing with data from 12 public channels
  • Four independent research reports from Marcus (technical), Sarah (sentiment), James (news), and Elena (fundamentals)
  • A full adversarial debate between David (bull) and Catherine (bear), with a judicial verdict from Michael
  • A three-perspective risk assessment from the aggressive, conservative, and neutral analysts, synthesized by the Risk Judge

Brian reviews all 14 documented deliverables produced by the pipeline and makes the final call: buy, sell, hold, or pass. He evaluates the consensus score, weighs the strength of the debate verdict against the risk assessment, and considers his own portfolio-level context that the agents cannot see, including cash allocation, existing position sizes, and personal risk tolerance.

When Brian decides to act on a recommendation, he uses SimTrader to execute paper trades at live market prices, benchmarking whether the agents' analysis translates into profitable positioning. Over time, this creates a trackable performance record that feeds back into refining the agent pipeline. He can enter trades at market price or at custom prices to mirror his real brokerage positions.

The key principle: AI agents research, debate, and assess risk. The human makes the final portfolio decision. No trade is ever executed without Brian's explicit approval. The platform is a research tool, not an autonomous trading system.