Foundation
Set up the tools and understand the basic parts of an automated trading system.
- Using AI for development
- Development environment
- Market data and brokerage APIs
Algorithmic trading classes in Fresno, California
Learn to build an automated trading system.
This four-part, in-person course shows students from Fresno and across the Central Valley how to define a strategy, test it, connect it to live market data, and run it in a paper-trading environment.
- Small classes with up to 12 participants
- Four practical phases
- Bring your laptop and ChatGPT or Claude access
- No prior coding experience required
Build it in class. Understand every part.
Bring your laptop and build alongside the instructor. You will turn a trading idea into rules, test those rules, connect market data, and assemble a working paper-trading system.
12 students maximumGuided laptop buildNo coding experience required
Curriculum
Four phases
Each class covers one part of the process. The phases can be booked separately and completed on available class dates.
Strategy and testing
Turn a trading idea into specific rules and test those rules with historical data.
- Indicators and entry rules
- Data cleaning and backtesting
- Trading costs and testing errors
Paper trading
Connect the strategy to live data and test orders without using real money.
- Live market data
- Orders and fills
- Position and risk controls
Execution and monitoring
Combine the system components and learn how to run and monitor the program.
- Monitoring and kill switches
- Local or cloud deployment
- Maintenance and live simulation
Why algorithms
Why use an algorithm instead of trading manually?
Frequent manual trading has produced poor results for most participants in several large studies. A well-designed algorithm cannot create a profitable strategy by itself, but it can remove inconsistent execution, test the same rules over large datasets, and follow the plan without fatigue or hesitation.
THE HUMAN PROBLEM
Emotion can make or break a trader.
Most people cannot afford an unlimited financial and emotional learning curve while trying to become consistent at manual trading.
Algorithms are not instantly profitable. They are instantly consistent. Once the rules are defined, the system can follow them from its first trade without fear, hesitation, revenge trading, or fatigue.
of traders who continued for more than 300 days lost money in a study of Brazilian equity-index futures.
Study: Chague, De-Losso & Giovannettiof Taiwanese day traders were able to predictably earn positive abnormal returns after trading costs.
Study: Barber, Lee, Liu & OdeanThe most active U.S. households earned 11.4% annually while the market returned 17.9% during the study period.
Study: Barber & OdeanAn SEC review found that most academic studies associate algorithmic trading with improved market quality and reduced transaction costs under normal conditions.
SEC report on algorithmic tradingManual trading
Algorithmic trading
Decisions can change
Fear, excitement, fatigue, and hesitation can affect when a person enters or exits a trade.
Rules stay consistent
The system follows the entry, exit, sizing, and risk rules that you defined.
Testing is limited
It is difficult to judge a strategy from memory or from a small number of trades.
Rules can be tested
You can apply the same rules to historical data and review the results before paper trading.
Requires screen time
A person must watch the market, identify the setup, place the order, and manage the position.
Can monitor continuously
The program can watch multiple symbols and respond when its conditions are met.
Records may be incomplete
Manual notes often miss the full context behind each decision.
Every action can be recorded
Signals, orders, errors, and results can be logged for review and improvement.
Expected outcome
Leave with a working system.
Most students will leave with a working paper-trading system that they built during class.
Students who already have a supported brokerage account, such as Schwab or Interactive Brokers, and have working API access may also be able to connect the system to their brokerage account before the course is complete. This depends on the brokerage account, API approval, and the student’s progress during class.
01 A written trading strategy with clear rules
02 A basic backtesting process
03 A paper-trading system
04 An execution system when brokerage API access is available
Who can attend
All ages, skill levels, and backgrounds are welcome.
You do not need a coding or finance background. Students, business owners, working professionals, career changers, and experienced traders can all benefit from learning how to build their own systems.
The system you build can support a side business while you run a company, work, or finish school. You can also use the course as a foundation if your goal is to pursue automated trading full time.
Fresno and the Central Valley
Local algorithmic trading education.
VolFlow teaches in-person algorithmic trading classes in Fresno for students throughout California's Central Valley, including Clovis, Madera, Visalia, Hanford, and Merced.
Classes focus on building and understanding a working system. Students learn strategy rules, backtesting, market-data connections, paper trading, execution controls, and system monitoring.
Questions about classes?
209-203-3026 · isaac@volflowtrades.com
Learn how to trade with rules
Build a trading bot, EA, or automated strategy.
The course explains how a trading idea becomes a set of rules a computer can test and execute. This is the foundation behind trading bots, algorithmic trading systems, and Expert Advisors commonly called EAs.
You will learn how to define entries and exits, backtest a strategy, connect market data, paper trade, and add risk and monitoring controls. The focus is not on copying signals. It is on learning how to build and evaluate your own trading system.
Class booking
View available classes or request another date.
Questions
Basic information
Do I need coding experience?
No. The class is designed as a guided build. You should be comfortable using a laptop and following technical instructions.
Can I learn how to build a trading bot or EA?
Yes. The course teaches the core process used to build a trading bot, automated strategy, or Expert Advisor: define rules, test them, connect data, paper trade, and monitor execution.
Is this a general learn-to-trade course?
The course teaches trading through clear, testable rules. It is focused on algorithmic systems rather than discretionary signals or promises of quick profits.
What should I bring?
Bring a laptop and access to ChatGPT or Claude. Brokerage login information and API credentials should remain private.
Will the system trade real money?
The standard class uses paper trading. Brokerage execution is possible only for students with an eligible account and working API access.
For educational purposes only. VolFlow Trading Systems does not provide individualized investment advice. Trading involves risk, including loss of principal.