# NT8 Institutional SDK Implementation Approach

## Component Breakdown

### 1. Strategy Framework
Located in `src/NT8.Core/Common/Interfaces/` and `src/NT8.Core/Common/Models/`:

- **IStrategy.cs** - Core strategy interface for trading algorithms
- **StrategyMetadata.cs** - Strategy metadata and configuration models
- **StrategyIntent.cs** - Strategy trading intent models and enums
- **StrategyContext.cs** - Strategy context information models
- **MarketData.cs** - Market data models and provider interface

### 2. Risk Management
Located in `src/NT8.Core/Risk/`:

- **IRiskManager.cs** - Risk management interface with validation methods
- **BasicRiskManager.cs** - Implementation with Tier 1 risk controls

Key features:
- Daily loss cap enforcement
- Per-trade risk limiting
- Position count limiting
- Emergency flatten functionality
- Thread-safe implementation with locks
- Risk level escalation (Low/Medium/High/Critical)

### 3. Position Sizing
Located in `src/NT8.Core/Sizing/`:

- **IPositionSizer.cs** - Position sizing interface
- **BasicPositionSizer.cs** - Implementation with fixed contracts and fixed dollar risk methods

Key features:
- Fixed contracts sizing method
- Fixed dollar risk sizing method
- Contract clamping (min/max limits)
- Multi-symbol support with accurate tick values
- Conservative rounding (floor) for contract quantities

## Development Workflow

### 1. Task Management
Following Archon workflow principles:
1. Check Current Task → Review task details and requirements
2. Research for Task → Search relevant documentation and examples
3. Implement the Task → Write code based on research
4. Update Task Status → Move task from "todo" → "doing" → "review"
5. Get Next Task → Check for next priority task
6. Repeat Cycle

### 2. Code Quality Standards
- All code follows .NET 6.0 standards
- Comprehensive unit testing with >90% coverage
- Proper error handling and logging
- Thread-safe implementations where required
- Deterministic behavior for reliable testing

### 3. Testing Strategy
Located in `tests/NT8.Core.Tests/`:

#### Risk Management Tests
- **BasicRiskManagerTests.cs** - Unit tests for all risk management functionality
- **RiskScenarioTests.cs** - Real-world scenario testing

#### Position Sizing Tests
- **BasicPositionSizerTests.cs** - Unit tests for position sizing functionality

Key test coverage:
- >90% code coverage for all components
- Edge case testing
- Multi-symbol validation
- Thread safety verification
- Risk escalation scenarios
- Configuration validation

## Risk Management Approach

### Tier 1 Controls (Implemented)
1. **Daily Loss Cap** - Trading automatically halts when daily losses exceed configured limit
2. **Per-Trade Risk Limit** - Individual trades are rejected if they exceed maximum risk
3. **Position Count Limiting** - Maximum number of concurrent positions enforced
4. **Emergency Flatten** - Immediate halt and flatten capability for crisis situations

### Risk Level Escalation
- **Low** - Normal trading conditions
- **Medium** - Elevated caution warranted
- **High** - Limited trading allowed
- **Critical** - Trading halted

## Position Sizing Methods

### Fixed Contracts
- Simple approach where a fixed number of contracts are traded
- Configurable with min/max clamping
- Suitable for consistent position sizing

### Fixed Dollar Risk
- Calculates contract count based on target dollar risk per trade
- Uses symbol-specific tick values for accurate calculations
- Conservative rounding (floor) to ensure risk limits are not exceeded
- Configurable with min/max clamping

## Next Steps (Phase 1)

### 1. Order Management System
- Implement OMS with smart order routing
- Add execution algorithm support
- Create order book analysis capabilities

### 2. NinjaTrader 8 Adapter
- Develop NT8 integration layer
- Implement market data handling
- Create order execution bridge

### 3. Enhanced Risk Controls
- Implement Tier 2 risk controls
- Add advanced correlation analysis
- Develop portfolio-level risk management

### 4. Advanced Position Sizing
- Implement Optimal f algorithm
- Add Kelly criterion sizing
- Create volatility-adjusted methods