How to Install Secret Terminal: Step-by-Step Guide

This guide answers one question: how to get the terminal running and start working. No theory, no fluff. Just steps, screenshots, and fixes for the most common issues.

Full installation including the initial setup and API connection takes about 10–15 minutes. If something goes wrong, the troubleshooting section at the end covers 90% of cases.

Video: full terminal installation walkthrough

System Requirements

Secret Terminal runs on Windows only. It's a native desktop application, not a web interface.

It's built with performance in mind, so it runs well even on mid-range machines. That said, there are minimum requirements.

If you're running multiple pairs simultaneously, multiple order books, and active real-time scalping, aim for 16 GB RAM. Especially if you've also got a browser, Telegram, and other apps running at the same time.

On macOS, the terminal can be run through virtualization (UTM + Crystal Fetch to build a Windows image). It works, but the guide below covers Windows.

Step 1: Download

Go to the official website: https://secret-terminal.com/

On the homepage, click the "Download for Windows 64-bit" button. The file is named something like SecretTerminal_Setup.exe and weighs a few dozen megabytes.

Wait for the download to finish. The file will appear in your Downloads folder or wherever your browser is set to save files.

Important: only download from the official website. No mirrors, repacks, or "Telegram archives." This is a trading terminal with access to exchange accounts — security isn't optional here.

Step 2: Installation

Run the downloaded SecretTerminal_Setup.exe file.

Windows will likely show a SmartScreen warning. This is normal for any new application that doesn't have an extended code-signing certificate. It looks alarming, but there's nothing actually wrong.

Here's what to do:

• In the warning window, click "More Info."
• A "Run anyway" button will appear. Click it.
• The setup wizard will launch.

The wizard is straightforward: choose a folder, confirm, install. The whole process takes 1–3 minutes. When it's done, a shortcut will appear on your desktop.

Step 3: First Launch and Login

Launch the terminal from the desktop shortcut or the Start menu.

On the first launch, the app creates a local profile on your computer. There's no web-based registration form. All settings, API keys, and workspaces are stored locally on your machine. That's a core architectural decision: zero cloud storage of sensitive data.

After launch, you'll see the terminal interface with an empty workspace. No order books or data yet, because no exchange is connected. That's expected. Move on to the next step.

If you want to get familiar with the interface before connecting an exchange, check out the free lesson from the free trading course on YouTube — it covers the order book, clusters, and tape (time & sales), which is exactly what you'll see right after connecting.

Step 4: Basic Configuration

Connecting an Exchange via API

Without API keys, the terminal runs in view-only mode: market data only, no trading. To trade, you need to connect your exchange account.

I usually connect Binance first — it has the deepest liquidity and the order book updates the fastest. But other exchanges are supported too: Bybit, OKX, MEXC, WhiteBIT.

Steps:

• Open the "Settings" menu (gear icon).
• Go to the "Trading Connections" section.
• Click "Add Connection."
• Select your exchange from the list.
• Enter the API Key and Secret Key from your exchange account.
• Click "Save."

After saving, your account will appear in the "Accounts" section. A green indicator next to the account means the connection is active. Red or grey means check your keys.

For a detailed walkthrough on creating API keys for each exchange, setting permissions, and managing multiple accounts, see the separate guide. More on API keys and access rights in the "API Keys for the Terminal" article.

If you're not sure which exchange to sign up for — Binance is a solid starting point: highest trading volume and a reliable API.

Proxy Setup (Optional but Useful)

If you're dealing with high ping to exchanges or an unstable connection, setting up a proxy is worth it. This matters especially for scalping, where 100–200 ms of extra latency already affects your results.

A proxy server physically closer to the exchange's servers cuts down the latency. Binance servers are in Tokyo, so a Japanese or Singapore-based proxy makes a noticeable difference.

Setup:

• In the "Trading Connections" section, click the gear icon next to the relevant account.
• In the "Proxy" block, enter the proxy server's IP address and port.
• Click "Save."

After setting it up, check the ping value in the bottom panel. If the numbers dropped and the spikes are gone — it's working.

Initial Workspace Setup

At this point the terminal is connected to the exchange and showing live data. The simplest starting workspace: one order book + tape (time & sales) + chart.

To add modules: click "+" in the control panel and select the module you want from the list. Drag windows around, resize them, arrange the layout however works for you. All changes save automatically.

Common Installation Problems and Fixes

Most issues come down to a handful of recurring situations.

Antivirus Deletes or Blocks the Installer

This happens due to heuristic scanning. The antivirus sees a new executable from an unrecognized publisher and flags it by default.

Fix: temporarily disable your antivirus before running the installer. After installation, add the terminal's folder to the exclusions list. In Windows Defender: "Windows Security" > "Virus & Threat Protection" > "Manage Settings" > "Add or Remove Exclusions."

Windows SmartScreen Blocks the Installer

Covered in Step 2: click "More Info," then "Run anyway." Standard Windows behavior for apps without an extended code-signing certificate.

If there's no "Run anyway" button, SmartScreen has applied a hard block. Right-click the file > "Properties" > at the bottom, check "Unblock" > OK.

Terminal Won't Launch After Installation

Make sure you're on Windows 10/11 64-bit. 32-bit versions aren't supported. I ran into this myself on an old work machine — spent 20 minutes troubleshooting before I thought to check the OS version.

If the version is correct, try running as administrator (right-click the shortcut > "Run as administrator").

Another option: clean reinstall. Uninstall the terminal through "Apps & Features," manually delete the %AppData%\SecretTerminal folder, then install fresh.

Terminal Launches but Won't Connect to the Exchange

Four main causes:

• API Key or Secret Key was copied with an extra space. Clear the fields and copy the keys again.
• The key doesn't have the required permissions. At minimum, "Read" and "Trade" are needed. Futures and spot usually require separate keys on most exchanges.
• IP restriction on the key. If you specified particular IPs when creating the key, add your current IP to the list or remove the restriction entirely.
• Computer clock isn't synced. API authentication is sensitive to time discrepancies. Open "Date & Time" in Windows and enable "Set time automatically."

In my experience, a stray space in the key or a clock sync issue are the culprits most of the time. Check those first.

High Ping and Freezing Order Book

If the order book updates in bursts and ping is spiking, the issue is most likely in the connection between your ISP and the exchange's servers. Set up a proxy (covered above in Step 4). For Binance, try a Tokyo or Singapore proxy.

If you want to understand how the order book works before you start trading, watch the free lesson from the "Trading from Scratch" course on the Secret Terminal YouTube channel. It covers limit orders, liquidity, and entry points — everything you'll be watching in the live order book.

FAQ

• Can I install Secret Terminal on Mac?

  There's no native macOS version. The terminal runs on Windows. For Mac, you can use virtualization: UTM + Crystal Fetch to create a Windows ISO image. It runs stably, including on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3), but the setup takes longer — roughly 40–60 minutes versus 10–15 on Windows.

• Is Secret Terminal free to use?

  For current pricing, check secret-terminal.com . Basic functionality is available after registration.

• Is it safe to enter API keys in the terminal?

  Yes. API keys are stored locally on your computer only — they're not sent to any servers or stored in the cloud. The terminal connects to the exchange directly, and the profile file containing your keys is encrypted. For extra security, create API keys with "Trade" permissions only, without withdrawal rights.

• How do I update the terminal to a new version?

  The terminal usually notifies you when an update is available. Download the new installer from the website and run it on top of the existing installation — your settings will be preserved. Every update goes through an integrity check before installing.

• Can I use the terminal on multiple computers?

  Yes. Install it separately on each machine. Workspaces and settings are stored locally, so you'll configure each machine independently. You'll need to re-enter your API keys on each one.

What's Next

Terminal installed, exchange connected. Next step: set up your workspace for scalping and get familiar with the order book and tape (time & sales).