FAQ
short answers to common questions.
What buyers usually ask before and after they install KESTREL.
01General
Does KESTREL hold my users' funds?
No. Funds stay on each user's own exchange account. KESTREL places and cancels orders with trade-only keys; it has no deposit or withdrawal feature and refuses keys that can withdraw.
Which exchanges are supported?
Binance, OKX, Bybit and Bitget: spot and USDT perpetual futures, live and testnet, plus a paper mode that needs no exchange account.
Do bots keep running when the app is closed?
Yes. Smart Trades, bots, algo orders, copy links, alerts and the risk guard run on your server.
Can I run it only for myself?
Yes, that is the default tenancy (self-hosted): no plan limits. Switch to SaaS in the console when you run it for others.
Does it support hedge mode?
No. KESTREL works in one-way position mode (Hedge mode).
Does it support OCO orders?
Not as an order type in 1.0.0. A Smart Trade gives you a take-profit and a stop on the same position, managed by the server.
Can bots be backtested?
Yes, on past exchange candles, with the same decision code as the live bot. Results are labelled simulated and say nothing about future results.
02Hosting
Can I use shared hosting?
No. KESTREL needs a VPS (or any Linux server) where Docker runs and processes stay up 24/7.
SQLite or PostgreSQL?
SQLite is the default and fine for one operator and up to a few hundred users. Choose PostgreSQL on the first install if you expect more.
Can I run it without Docker?
Yes, with Node.js 22, pnpm and your own reverse proxy: build with pnpm build, start with node --env-file=.env dist/src/index.js, and serve the Flutter web build (Local development). Docker is the supported install.
Does the server need a fixed IP?
Yes, for the exchange IP whitelists. Every VPS has one.
03Apps and branding
Do I have to publish the mobile apps?
No. The web app works in any browser, including on phones. The mobile apps are optional.
Can I rename and recolour it?
Yes. See White label for every file to change.
Which languages are included?
English and Slovak. Add more with one map file each (Languages).
Is there a demo build?
Yes: --dart-define=KESTREL_DEMO=true builds a UI-only showcase with sample data and a permanent "DEMO — sample data" banner. It never connects to a server.
04Money
Does KESTREL take payments for plans?
No. Plan prices are text. You sell plans your own way and assign them on the Users page (Revenue options).
Does KESTREL or anyone else take a fee from my users' trades?
No. Broker ids are empty and off by default, and the server removes the exchange library's default ids, so no order carries anyone's id unless you set your own.
What does running it cost?
Your VPS and domain, plus any optional paid service you choose: an SMTP provider above its free tier and an LLM provider per use. Exchange API keys, Telegram bots and Firebase Cloud Messaging are free. Store accounts are paid to Apple and Google.