In this week’s video interview, we dig into how we can automate our 0DTE trading. My guest, Kyle Leesman, loved trading 0DTE (zero day to expiration), but it was hard to combine with a full-time job. As a software engineer, the solution was apparent: He had to build his own tool. Today, his Trade Automation Toolbox is one of several products helping retail traders automate their options trading. Trade Automation Toolbox is especially popular with 0DTE traders.
Learn about automating 0DTE trading in this video
The video was produced with Streamyard – an easy-to-use and amazing tool for live streaming and recording.
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Why automate 0DTE trading?
0DTE options trading is fast, repetitive, and requires precision. The benefit is immediate feedback. Trades are entered and closed within the same day, avoiding overnight risk. But the challenge is execution. Entering trades manually, managing stops, and reacting to market conditions in real time is nearly impossible at scale, especially if you’re not a full-time trader.
For Kyle, automation solved that. It allowed him to define every part of his trade logic in advance — when to enter, which strikes to choose, where to set stops and targets — and then let the software handle the clicking.
Inside the automation setup
Kyle’s software integrates with popular brokers, including Interactive Brokers and TradeStation. It pulls account data, monitors market conditions, and places trades based on pre-configured strategies. Users can set everything from time-based entry rules to webhook triggers connected to external charting tools, such as TradingView.
But setting it up isn’t as easy as flipping a switch. Kyle points out that writing out your full trade logic — from exact entry criteria to exit conditions — forces a level of clarity most traders never confront. The process highlights inconsistencies and vagueness in a strategy, which ultimately leads to better trading, automated or not.
What the day looks like
Using his system, Kyle runs 24 iron condor trades and about 20 directional put or call spreads daily. He spreads the entries throughout the session, following both delta-neutral and trend-following logic. This diversity allows him to adapt to both quiet and trending markets. He rarely watches every tick but stays aware via email alerts and a quick end-of-day review before the close.
This wouldn’t be possible without automation. The sheer number of trades, order adjustments, and risk management steps would be overwhelming if done manually.
Risk and responsibility
Despite the advantages, Kyle is clear that automation is not a free lunch. No software is perfect. Brokers can have issues. Market shocks can still wipe out trades in seconds. And most importantly, automation will do exactly what you tell it to do — including the wrong thing if your configuration is off.
That’s why he built his software to submit stop-loss orders directly to broker servers, reducing the risk of local software failure. But he also recommends keeping a close eye on open positions and being prepared to intervene if something unexpected happens.
Backtesting and paper trading
Before going live, Kyle encourages traders to test strategies in a paper trading environment. His platform works with simulated accounts, allowing users to confirm their settings before putting real money at risk.
He also developed a free backtesting engine using tick-level data from the CBOE, helping him (and other traders) evaluate strategies against years of real price movements.
Recommended book
Kyle has this book to recommend for options traders who like to learn more:
Hi: I enjoy your format very much so thanks for creating such interesting content.
I picked up for some of your videos that you are able to use TOS. And so do some of your featured participants, even though they are not in the USA. Eg Norway and Iceland at least.
I am in France. Would you be able to share how the account is structured to allow this,
Kind regards
Hi Michael,
I set up my account with TD Ameritrade (now Schwab) back in 2018, and don’t quite remember the details. I do remember that I had to fill out a W-9BEN tax form for foreigners, though. I don’t know if they still allow new foreign customers. I have heard some other have had trouble establishing an account with them.
Sorry I don’t have a more useful answer to give.
John Einar