Signing up

I just signed up and have a free account. I’d like to add news feeds and other variables. How can I expedite access before the trading week to test strategies?

To get support and assistance with QuantConnect, you can utilize the community forums. These forums are a primary method for asking questions and receiving help from both the community and QuantConnect staff. You can visit the forums to engage with other users, share insights, and get solutions to your queries.

To expedite access to news feeds and other datasets on QuantConnect, especially with a free account, you can follow these steps:

1. Add News Feeds: You can add news feeds like Tiingo or Benzinga to your algorithm using the add_data() method. Here's an example of how to add the Tiingo News Feed:

   self.aapl = self.add_equity("AAPL", Resolution.MINUTE).symbol
   self.dataset_symbol = self.add_data(TiingoNews, self.aapl).symbol
   

2. Expedite Access: If you're looking to expedite access to specific datasets, you might consider reaching out to QuantConnect support or checking if there are any subscription options that can provide faster access.

3. Testing Strategies: Utilize the set_start_date(), set_end_date(), and set_cash() methods to define the testing period and initial capital for your strategy:

   self.set_start_date(2021, 1, 1)
   self.set_end_date(2021, 6, 1)
   self.set_cash(100000)
   

4. Alternative Data: For alternative datasets that stream real-time intraday data, ensure that you have the necessary data provider setup. QuantConnect's data provider supports most alternative datasets.

By following these steps, you can efficiently set up your environment to test strategies using news feeds and other variables. If you need further assistance, consider engaging with the QuantConnect community forums for additional support.

Sources: Tradier - QuantConnect.com, Tiingo News Feed - QuantConnect.com, TradeStation - QuantConnect.com, Initialization - QuantConnect.com, Detecting Impactful News In ETF Constituents

I have set up a paid account. Where can I go to learn Quant Connect as a beginner?