OKX CEX Trading CLI

Spot, perpetual swap, delivery futures, options, and event contract order management on OKX exchange. Place, cancel, amend, and monitor orders; query option chains and Greeks; trade binary outcome event contracts (Yes/No, Up/Down); set take-profit/stop-loss and trailing stops; manage leverage and positions. Requires API credentials.

Preflight

Before running any command, follow ../_shared/preflight.md. Use metadata.version from this file's frontmatter as the reference for Step 2.

Prerequisites

1. Install okx CLI:

   npm install -g @okx_ai/okx-trade-cli
   

2. Configure credentials:

   okx config init
   

   Or set environment variables:

   export OKX_API_KEY=your_key
   export OKX_SECRET_KEY=your_secret
   export OKX_PASSPHRASE=your_passphrase
   

3. Test with demo mode (simulated trading, no real funds):

   okx --profile demo spot orders
   

Credential & Profile Check

Run this check before any authenticated command.

Step A — Verify credentials

okx config show       # verify configuration status (output is masked)

• If the command returns an error or shows no configuration: stop all operations, guide the user to run okx config init, and wait for setup to complete before retrying.
• If credentials are configured: proceed to Step B.

Step B — Confirm profile (required)

--profile is required for all authenticated commands. Never add a profile implicitly.

Value	Mode	Funds
live	实盘	Real funds
demo	模拟盘	Simulated funds

Resolution rules:

1. Current message intent is clear (e.g. "real" / "实盘" / "live" → live; "test" / "模拟" / "demo" → demo) → use it and inform the user: "Using --profile live (实盘)" or "Using --profile demo (模拟盘)"
2. Current message has no explicit declaration → check conversation context for a previous profile:
   • Found → use it, inform user: "Continuing with --profile live (实盘) from earlier"
   • Not found → ask: "Live (实盘) or Demo (模拟盘)?" — wait for answer before proceeding

Handling 401 Authentication Errors

If any command returns a 401 / authentication error:

1. Stop immediately — do not retry the same command
2. Inform the user: "Authentication failed (401). Your API credentials may be invalid or expired."
3. Guide the user to update credentials by editing the file directly with their local editor:

   ~/.okx/config.toml
   

   Update the fields api_key, secret_key, passphrase under the relevant profile. Do NOT paste the new credentials into chat.
4. After the user confirms the file is updated, run okx config show to verify (output is masked)
5. Only then retry the original operation

Demo vs Live Mode

Profile is the single control for 实盘/模拟盘 switching:

--profile	Mode	Funds
live	实盘	Real money — irreversible
demo	模拟盘	Simulated — no real funds

Rules:

1. --profile is required on every authenticated command — determined in "Credential & Profile Check" Step B
2. Every response after a command must append: [profile: live] or [profile: demo]
3. Do not use the --demo flag for mode switching — use --profile instead

Skill Routing

• For market data (prices, charts, depth, funding rates) → use okx-cex-market
• For account balance, P&L, positions, fees, transfers → use okx-cex-portfolio
• For regular spot/swap/futures/options/algo orders → use okx-cex-trade (this skill)
• For event contracts (prediction markets, binary outcomes) → use okx-cex-trade (this skill)
• For grid and DCA trading bots → use okx-cex-bot

Sz Handling for Derivatives

⚠ CRITICAL: Always verify contract face value before placing orders

Before placing any SWAP/FUTURES/OPTION order, call market_get_instruments to get ctVal (contract face value). Do NOT assume contract sizes — they vary by instrument (e.g. ETH-USDT-SWAP = 0.1 ETH/contract, BTC-USDT-SWAP = 0.01 BTC/contract).

Use ctVal to:

• Calculate the correct number of contracts from user's intended position size
• Verify margin requirements before submitting the order
• Show the user the actual position value: sz × ctVal × price

SWAP and FUTURES orders

Three tgtCcy modes for USDT-denominated sizing:

--tgtCcy	sz meaning	Conversion formula	Example: "500U" at 10x lever
base_ccy (default)	contract count	no conversion	500 contracts
quote_ccy	USDT notional value	floor(sz / (ctVal * lastPx))	500 USDT notional
margin	USDT margin cost	floor(sz * lever / (ctVal * lastPx))	500 USDT margin = 5000 USDT notional

When user specifies a USDT amount (e.g. "200U", "500 USDT", "$1000"): → AMBIGUOUS — this could mean notional value OR margin cost. You MUST ask the user to clarify before proceeding:

• notional value: sz = position value in USDT (e.g. 500 USDT buys 500 USDT worth of contracts directly)
• margin cost: actual position = sz × leverage (e.g. 500 USDT margin at 10× = 5000 USDT notional position) Wait for the user's answer before continuing.
• If notional value → use --tgtCcy quote_ccy
• If margin cost → use --tgtCcy margin

When user specifies contracts (e.g. "2 张", "5 contracts"): → First verify ctVal via market_get_instruments, then use --sz with the contract count. Confirm with user: "X contracts = X × ctVal underlying, total value ≈ $Y".

When user gives a plain number with no unit (for swap/futures): → AMBIGUOUS — You MUST ask the user to clarify before proceeding:

• contract count: X contracts (each worth ctVal of underlying)
• USDT notional value: position value in USDT
• USDT margin cost: margin amount (actual position = X × leverage) Wait for the user's answer before continuing.

⚠ Inverse contracts (*-USD-SWAP, *-USD-YYMMDD): tgtCcy=quote_ccy and tgtCcy=margin also work (note: quote_ccy = USD, not USDT, for inverse instruments). Always warn: "This is an inverse contract. Margin and P&L are settled in BTC, not USDT."

Option orders

When the user specifies a USDT amount for options, use --tgtCcy quote_ccy (notional) or --tgtCcy margin (margin cost) and pass the amount as --sz. The system automatically converts to contracts. Note: option contracts typically have large face values (e.g. ctVal=1 BTC ≈ $84,000), so the minimum USDT amount for 1 contract is high. For option sellers (cross/isolated tdMode), margin mode accounts for leverage automatically.

Quickstart

# Market buy 0.01 BTC (spot)
okx spot place --instId BTC-USDT --side buy --ordType market --sz 0.01

# Buy $10 worth of SOL (spot, USDT amount)
okx spot place --instId SOL-USDT --side buy --ordType market --sz 10 --tgtCcy quote_ccy

# Limit sell 0.01 BTC at $100,000 (spot)
okx spot place --instId BTC-USDT --side sell --ordType limit --sz 0.01 --px 100000

# Long 1 contract BTC perp (cross margin)
okx swap place --instId BTC-USDT-SWAP --side buy --ordType market --sz 1 \
  --tdMode cross --posSide long

# Long 1000 USDT notional value of BTC perp (auto-convert to contracts)
okx swap place --instId BTC-USDT-SWAP --side buy --ordType market --sz 1000 \
  --tgtCcy quote_ccy --tdMode cross --posSide long

# Long with 500 USDT margin at current leverage (e.g. 10x → 5000 USDT notional)
okx swap place --instId BTC-USDT-SWAP --side buy --ordType market --sz 500 \
  --tgtCcy margin --tdMode cross --posSide long

# Long 1 contract with attached TP/SL (one step)
okx swap place --instId BTC-USDT-SWAP --side buy --ordType market --sz 1 \
  --tdMode cross --posSide long \
  --tpTriggerPx 105000 --tpOrdPx=-1 --slTriggerPx 88000 --slOrdPx=-1

# Close BTC perp long position entirely at market
okx swap close --instId BTC-USDT-SWAP --mgnMode cross --posSide long

# Set 10x leverage on BTC perp (cross)
okx swap leverage --instId BTC-USDT-SWAP --lever 10 --mgnMode cross

# Set TP/SL on a spot BTC position
okx spot algo place --instId BTC-USDT --side sell --ordType oco --sz 0.01 \
  --tpTriggerPx 105000 --tpOrdPx=-1 \
  --slTriggerPx 88000 --slOrdPx=-1

# Place trailing stop on BTC perp long (callback 2%)
okx swap algo trail --instId BTC-USDT-SWAP --side sell --sz 1 \
  --tdMode cross --posSide long --callbackRatio 0.02

# View open spot orders
okx spot orders

# View open swap positions
okx swap positions

# Cancel a spot order
okx spot cancel --instId BTC-USDT --ordId <ordId>

# --- Event Contract ---
# List event series
okx event series

# Browse live markets in a series
okx event markets BTC-ABOVE-DAILY --state live

# Place event contract order
okx event place --instId BTC-ABOVE-DAILY-260224-1600-70000 --side buy --outcome YES --sz 10

Command Index

Spot Orders (11 commands)

#	Command	Type	Description
1	okx spot place	WRITE	Place spot order (market/limit/post_only/fok/ioc)
2	okx spot cancel	WRITE	Cancel spot order
3	okx spot amend	WRITE	Amend spot order price or size
4	okx spot algo place	WRITE	Place spot TP/SL algo order
5	okx spot algo amend	WRITE	Amend spot TP/SL levels
6	okx spot algo cancel	WRITE	Cancel spot algo order
7	okx spot algo trail	WRITE	Place spot trailing stop order
8	okx spot orders	READ	List open or historical spot orders
9	okx spot get	READ	Single spot order details
10	okx spot fills	READ	Spot trade fill history
11	okx spot algo orders	READ	List spot TP/SL algo orders

For full command syntax, parameter tables, and edge cases, read {baseDir}/references/spot-commands.md.

Swap / Perpetual Orders (15 commands)

#	Command	Type	Description
12	okx swap place	WRITE	Place perpetual swap order
13	okx swap cancel	WRITE	Cancel swap order
14	okx swap amend	WRITE	Amend swap order price or size
15	okx swap close	WRITE	Close entire position at market
16	okx swap leverage	WRITE	Set leverage for an instrument
17	okx swap algo place	WRITE	Place swap TP/SL algo order
18	okx swap algo trail	WRITE	Place swap trailing stop order
19	okx swap algo amend	WRITE	Amend swap algo order
20	okx swap algo cancel	WRITE	Cancel swap algo order
21	okx swap positions	READ	Open perpetual swap positions
22	okx swap orders	READ	List open or historical swap orders
23	okx swap get	READ	Single swap order details
24	okx swap fills	READ	Swap trade fill history
25	okx swap get-leverage	READ	Current leverage settings
26	okx swap algo orders	READ	List swap algo orders

For full command syntax, parameter tables, and edge cases, read {baseDir}/references/swap-commands.md.

Futures / Delivery Orders (15 commands)

#	Command	Type	Description
27	okx futures place	WRITE	Place delivery futures order
28	okx futures cancel	WRITE	Cancel delivery futures order
29	okx futures amend	WRITE	Amend delivery futures order price or size
30	okx futures close	WRITE	Close entire futures position at market
31	okx futures leverage	WRITE	Set leverage for a futures instrument
32	okx futures algo place	WRITE	Place futures TP/SL algo order
33	okx futures algo trail	WRITE	Place futures trailing stop order
34	okx futures algo amend	WRITE	Amend futures algo order
35	okx futures algo cancel	WRITE	Cancel futures algo order
36	okx futures orders	READ	List delivery futures orders
37	okx futures positions	READ	Open delivery futures positions
38	okx futures fills	READ	Delivery futures fill history
39	okx futures get	READ	Single delivery futures order details
40	okx futures get-leverage	READ	Current futures leverage settings
41	okx futures algo orders	READ	List futures algo orders

For full command syntax, parameter tables, and edge cases, read {baseDir}/references/futures-commands.md.

Options Orders (10 commands)

#	Command	Type	Description
42	okx option instruments	READ	Option chain: list available contracts for an underlying
43	okx option greeks	READ	Implied volatility + Greeks (delta/gamma/theta/vega) by underlying
44	okx option place	WRITE	Place option order (call or put, buyer or seller)
45	okx option cancel	WRITE	Cancel unfilled option order
46	okx option amend	WRITE	Amend option order price or size
47	okx option batch-cancel	WRITE	Batch cancel up to 20 option orders
48	okx option orders	READ	List option orders (live / history / archive)
49	okx option get	READ	Single option order details
50	okx option positions	READ	Open option positions with live Greeks
51	okx option fills	READ	Option trade fill history

For full command syntax, USDT-to-contracts conversion formula, tdMode rules, and edge cases, read {baseDir}/references/options-commands.md.

Event Contract Orders (9 commands)

#	Command	Type	Description
52	okx event browse	READ	Browse active event contracts grouped by type (series + live markets in one call)
53	okx event series	READ	List event series (e.g. BTC-ABOVE-DAILY, BTC-UPDOWN-15MIN)
54	okx event events <seriesId>	READ	List events in a series
55	okx event markets <seriesId>	READ	List markets; expired includes Outcome and Settlement value
56	okx event place ...	WRITE	Place event order (outcome required)
57	okx event amend <instId> <ordId>	WRITE	Amend event order (price/size)
58	okx event cancel <instId> <ordId>	WRITE	Cancel event order
59	okx event orders	READ	Pending or historical orders
60	okx event fills	READ	Fill history

For full command syntax, parameter tables, and edge cases, read {baseDir}/references/event-commands.md.

Operation Flow

Step 0 — Credential & Profile Check

Before any authenticated command: see Credential & Profile Check. Determine profile (live or demo) before executing.

After every command result: append [profile: live] or [profile: demo].

Step 1 — Identify instrument type and action

Spot (instId format: BTC-USDT):

• Place/cancel/amend order → okx spot place/cancel/amend
• TP/SL conditional → okx spot algo place/amend/cancel
• Trailing stop → okx spot algo trail
• Query → okx spot orders/get/fills/algo orders

Swap/Perpetual (instId format: BTC-USDT-SWAP):

• Place/cancel/amend order → okx swap place/cancel/amend
• Close position → okx swap close
• Leverage → okx swap leverage / okx swap get-leverage
• TP/SL conditional → okx swap algo place/amend/cancel
• Trailing stop → okx swap algo trail
• Query → okx swap positions/orders/get/fills/get-leverage/algo orders

Futures/Delivery (instId format: BTC-USDT-<YYMMDD>):

• Place/cancel/amend order → okx futures place/cancel/amend
• Close position → okx futures close
• Leverage → okx futures leverage / okx futures get-leverage
• TP/SL conditional → okx futures algo place/amend/cancel
• Trailing stop → okx futures algo trail
• Query → okx futures orders/positions/fills/get/get-leverage/algo orders

Options (instId format: BTC-USD-250328-95000-C or ...-P):

• Step 1 (required): find valid instId → okx option instruments --uly BTC-USD
• Step 2 (recommended): check IV and Greeks → okx option greeks --uly BTC-USD
• Place/cancel/amend → okx option place/cancel/amend
• Batch cancel → okx option batch-cancel --orders '[...]'
• Query → okx option orders/get/positions/fills
• tdMode: cash for buyers; cross or isolated for sellers

Event Contracts:

Instrument ID (instId, API field) format: {UNDERLYING}-{TYPE}-{YYMMDD}-{HHMM}-{STRIKE} for "Price Above Target" / "One Touch" contracts (e.g. BTC-ABOVE-DAILY-260224-1600-70000), or {UNDERLYING}-{TYPE}-{YYMMDD}-{START}-{END} for "Price Direction (Up/Down)" contracts (e.g. BTC-UPDOWN-15MIN-260224-1600-1615). Always obtain the instrument ID from okx event markets <seriesId> — never guess or use placeholders.

Series ID (seriesId, API field): human-readable (e.g. BTC-ABOVE-DAILY, BTC-UPDOWN-15MIN) or internal random string (e.g. FMQRZ). Both are valid for subsequent commands. Obtain from okx event series.

Event contract trading flow:

1. Discover → okx event browse (preferred, returns series + live markets in one call) or okx event series — present results grouped by type; highlight named series; always show the Series ID
2. Browse live markets → okx event markets <seriesId> --state live — obtains the instrument ID for each tradeable contract; if a live Price is shown, it is the event contract price (0.01–0.99), not the underlying asset price — reflects the market-implied probability when actively trading
3. Check event details → okx event events <seriesId>
4. Confirm + Place → okx event place <instId> <side> <outcome> <sz> — only after user explicitly confirms
5. Track → okx event orders --state live / okx account positions --instType EVENTS
6. Exit or settle → sell via okx event place <instId> sell <outcome> <sz>, or wait for --state expired

Edge cases:

• Settled results: okx event markets <seriesId> --state expired — no separate ended tool

Event Contract sz Rules:

• Market order (ordType=market): --sz is quote currency amount.
• Limit order (ordType=limit / post_only): --sz is number of contracts (integer). Each contract settles at 1 unit of quote currency; cost per contract = px (event contract price, 0.01–0.99). E.g. 10 contracts at px=0.5 costs 5.
• px semantics: px is the event contract price (0.01–0.99), NOT the underlying asset price. When actively trading, it reflects the market-implied probability. Example: px=0.6 means the market is pricing the event at roughly 60%.
• Outcome display: expired/result views show translated values. For price_up_down, treat YES/NO as UP/DOWN.

For event contract workflows and step-by-step examples, read {baseDir}/references/event-workflows.md.

For cross-skill workflows and step-by-step examples, read {baseDir}/references/workflows.md.

Step 2 — Confirm profile, then confirm write parameters

Read commands (orders, positions, fills, get, get-leverage, algo orders): run immediately.

• --history flag: defaults to active/open; use --history only if user explicitly asks for history
• --ordType for algo: conditional = single TP or SL; oco = both TP and SL together
• --tdMode for swap/futures: cross or isolated; spot always uses cash (set automatically)
• --posSide for hedge mode: long or short; omit in net mode

Write commands (place, cancel, amend, close, leverage, algo): confirm the key order details once before executing:

• Spot place: confirm --instId, --side, --ordType, --sz (and --tgtCcy quote_ccy if quote-currency amount)
• Swap/Futures place: confirm --instId, --side, --sz, --tdMode, and explicitly confirm order mode when user specifies a USDT amount: --tgtCcy quote_ccy (notional value, sz = position value) or --tgtCcy margin (margin cost, actual position = sz * leverage). Always state which mode is being used.
• Option place: confirm --instId, --side, --sz, --tdMode (and --tgtCcy quote_ccy or --tgtCcy margin if USDT amount — system auto-converts); do NOT attach TP/SL
• Event Contract place: confirm --instId, --side, --outcome, --sz, --ordType; for market orders sz is quote currency amount, for limit orders sz is number of contracts + --px required
• Swap/Futures close: confirm --instId, --mgnMode, --posSide
• Leverage: confirm new leverage and impact on existing positions. If set-leverage fails (error mentions "cancel orders or stop bots"): troubleshoot in priority order — (1) query pending algo orders first (swap/futures algo-orders --status pending), as this is the most common blocker; (2) only if no algo orders, check active bots (bot grid-orders). Do NOT automatically cancel orders or stop bots — present findings and let the user decide
• Algo place (TP/SL): confirm trigger prices; use --tpOrdPx=-1 for market execution
• Algo trail: confirm --callbackRatio (e.g., 0.02 = 2%) or --callbackSpread

For full parameter details per command, read the relevant reference file.

Error-suggested remediation safeguard

When an OKX API error message suggests a fix that involves write operations (cancel orders, close positions, stop bots/strategies, transfer funds, etc.), you MUST NOT automatically execute those actions. Instead:

1. Report the error and its suggestion to the user verbatim
2. Diagnose — run read-only queries to identify what is blocking (e.g., algo-orders --status pending, positions, bot grid-orders --status active)
3. Present findings — show the user what was found and which specific items would need to be cancelled/closed/stopped
4. Wait for explicit confirmation before executing any remediation

This applies to all error codes whose messages suggest destructive actions, including but not limited to:

• Set-leverage blocked by pending algo orders or active bots
• Account setting changes requiring order/position/strategy cleanup (e.g., error codes 59000, 59002, 59007)
• Margin mode switches requiring position closure
• Any error containing phrases like "cancel", "close", "stop", "transfer … before"

Rationale: Error messages list all possible blockers generically — the actual blocker is often just one item (e.g., a single TP/SL order). Blindly following the error text can cause unnecessary position closures or bot shutdowns that the user did not intend.

Step 3 — Verify after writes

• After spot place: run okx spot orders to confirm order is live or okx spot fills if market order
• After swap place: run okx swap orders or okx swap positions to confirm
• After swap close: run okx swap positions to confirm position size is 0
• After futures place: run okx futures orders or okx futures positions to confirm
• After futures close: run okx futures positions to confirm position size is 0
• After spot algo place/trail: run okx spot algo orders to confirm algo is active
• After swap algo place/trail: run okx swap algo orders to confirm algo is active
• After futures algo place/trail: run okx futures algo orders to confirm algo is active
• After cancel: run okx spot orders / okx swap orders / okx futures orders / okx event orders to confirm order is gone
• After event place: run okx event orders --state live to confirm order is pending
• After event cancel: run okx event orders to confirm order is gone

Global Notes

• All write commands require valid credentials in ~/.okx/config.toml or env vars
• --profile <name> is required for all authenticated commands
• --json returns the raw OKX API v5 response by default. Add --env to wrap the output as {"env": "<live|demo>", "profile": "<name>", "data": <response>} — useful when you need to know the active environment and credential profile
• Rate limit: 60 order operations per 2 seconds per UID
• Batch operations (batch cancel, batch amend) are available via MCP tools directly if needed
• Position mode (net vs long_short_mode) affects whether --posSide is required
• Network errors: If commands fail with a connection error, prompt user to check VPN: curl -I https://www.okx.com
• Capability discovery: Run okx list-tools --json to get a machine-readable JSON listing of all CLI commands, tool names, and parameters — useful for programmatic enumeration without parsing --help text

For MCP tool reference, output conventions, and order amount safety rules, read {baseDir}/references/templates.md.