# Trading Windows

Account-level trading windows behave similarly to both the [global trade window](https://docs.crosstrade.io/getting-started/user-account/xt-control-panel) and and [alert-level trade window](https://docs.crosstrade.io/webhooks/advanced-options/trading-window), with some exception.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://993090024-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FI6t5LesvaGZE6r1KML4v%2Fuploads%2FDZoGzlv8KIQqSPXwV0Iz%2Ftrading-windows.png?alt=media&#x26;token=4a790ecf-93cb-4326-8471-2af7c68eaefb" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

To set a trade window, simply click the "Enabled" checkbox next to one of the window labels (ordering doesn't matter), and set both a "Start" and "End" time, which are both set in Eastern Time (NYC).

### How It Works

When a webhook alert signal arrives at CrossTrade, we evaluate whether or not the signal should proceed by looking at many different possible configuration settings. Among them, the global controls in the [XT Control Panel](https://docs.crosstrade.io/getting-started/user-account/xt-control-panel), the [alert-level controls](https://docs.crosstrade.io/webhooks/advanced-options) in each message, and any settings at the account-level in NAM.

At the global level, a single trade window can be set that applied to all inbound signals. Alternatively, trade window can be set that applies to the individual alert/order. With NAM you apply up to 5 distinct windows per account.

If the arrival time of an alert signal is *inside any of the five trade windows*, the signal is allowed to proceed. If the alert is *outside all five trade windows*, the alert is blocked and the alert is logged with the reason why it was blocked.

### Flatten After

The Flatten After option for each trading window is used to flatten the account as soon as it exits a time Window. It behaves just like [Auto-Flatten](https://docs.crosstrade.io/account-manager/account-settings/auto-flattening), with one exception:

#### Immediate execution:&#x20;

As soon as the window closes, we send the flatten command to your NT8 account.&#x20;

#### Retry logic:&#x20;

If your XT add-on is offline, we retry once per minute for 5 minutes before standing down.&#x20;

#### Continuous monitoring:&#x20;

Unlike Auto-Flatten, we don’t disable the monitor after execution—you’ll be back in business for the next window without lifting a finger.