create

Create new strategy configurations for trading bots, scripts, and controllers

Overview

The create command guides you through creating a new strategy configuration. It supports three types of configurations:

1. Classic Strategies - Built-in strategies like Pure Market Making, Cross-Exchange Market Making
2. Script Strategies - Custom Python scripts (V2 architecture)
3. Controllers - Modular trading logic components (V2 architecture)

Basic Usage

Create Classic Strategy

create

This starts an interactive wizard that:

1. Prompts you to select a strategy type
2. Asks for strategy-specific parameters
3. Validates your configuration
4. Saves to a YAML file

Example workflow:

>>> create

What is your market making strategy?
>>> pure_market_making

Import previous configs or create a new config file? (import/create)
>>> create

Please see https://docs.hummingbot.org/strategies/pure-market-making/
while setting up these below configuration.

Enter your maker spot connector >>>
>>> binance

Enter the token trading pair you would like to trade on binance >>>
>>> BTC-USDT

...

Create Script Strategy (V2)

create --script [script_name]

script_name · string · required

Name of the script file (without .py extension) located in scripts/

Example:

create --script my_custom_strategy

This will:

1. Load the configuration class from your script
2. Prompt for required parameters defined in the script’s config
3. Save configuration to conf/scripts/ directory

Create Controller (V2)

create --controller [controller_name]

controller_name · string · required

Name of the controller in the controllers directory

Example:

create --controller directional_trading

Configuration Workflow

1. Select Strategy Type

   Choose from available strategies:

   • pure_market_making
   • cross_exchange_market_making
   • amm_arb
   • avellaneda_market_making
   • And more…
2. Configure Parameters

   Answer prompts for each required parameter:

   Enter your maker spot connector >>> binance
   Enter the token trading pair >>> BTC-USDT
   Enter quantity per order >>> 0.001
   Enter bid spread (in percentage) >>> 0.5
   Enter ask spread (in percentage) >>> 0.5
   
3. Name Your Config

   Choose a filename for your configuration:

   Enter a new file name for your configuration >>> my_btc_strategy.yml
   
4. Validation

   Hummingbot performs status checks:

   Status check complete. Strategy 'pure_market_making' created successfully.
   Enter "start" to start market making.
   

Strategy-Specific Parameters

Pure Market Making

Required:

• exchange - The exchange connector
• market - Trading pair (e.g., BTC-USDT)
• bid_spread - Percentage below mid price for buy orders
• ask_spread - Percentage above mid price for sell orders
• order_amount - Size of each order

Optional:

• order_levels - Number of orders per side
• order_level_spread - Spacing between levels
• inventory_skew_enabled - Auto-balance inventory
• filled_order_delay - Delay before placing new order

Cross-Exchange Market Making

Required:

• maker_market - Exchange to place orders
• taker_market - Exchange to hedge on
• maker_market_trading_pair - Trading pair on maker
• taker_market_trading_pair - Trading pair on taker
• order_amount - Order size
• min_profitability - Minimum profit percentage

AMM Arbitrage

Required:

• connector_1 - First exchange (typically DEX)
• market_1 - Trading pair on first exchange
• connector_2 - Second exchange (typically CEX)
• market_2 - Trading pair on second exchange
• order_amount - Size to arbitrage
• min_profitability - Minimum profit to execute

Special Configuration Features

Asset Ratio Maintenance

When configuring inventory_target_base_pct, Hummingbot can automatically calculate your current ratio:

On binance, you have 0.5000 BTC and 25000.0000 USDT. 
By market value, your current inventory split is 50.0% BTC and 50.0% USDT.
Would you like to keep this ratio? (Yes/No) >>>

Inventory Price Tracking

Set your asset acquisition cost for accurate P&L calculations:

config inventory_price
# Prompt: "On binance, you have 0.5000 BTC. What was the price for this amount in USDT? >>>"

File Naming

Configuration files are saved to:

• Classic strategies: conf/strategies/[filename].yml
• Scripts: conf/scripts/[filename].yml
• Controllers: conf/controllers/[filename].yml

Naming conventions:

• Use descriptive names: btc_mm_tight_spread.yml
• Include key parameters: eth_usdt_1pct_spread.yml
• Date-based: strategy_2024_03_02.yml

If a file with the same name exists, Hummingbot will prompt you to choose a different name.

Implementation Details

The create command is implemented in /hummingbot/client/command/create_command.py:51 and provides:

• Three creation modes: Classic, Script, and Controller
• Interactive prompting with validation
• Default value suggestions based on strategy type
• YAML configuration export with field ordering
• Post-creation validation via status checks
• Automatic connector initialization when needed

V2 Architecture (Scripts & Controllers)

The V2 architecture uses a different configuration approach:

Script Strategies

Structure:

class MyStrategyConfig(StrategyV2ConfigBase):
    script_file_name: str = "my_strategy.py"
    exchange: str
    trading_pair: str
    order_amount: Decimal

Creation:

create --script my_strategy

Controllers

Structure:

class DirectionalTradingConfig(ControllerConfigBase):
    controller_name: str = "directional_trading"
    candles_config: List[CandlesConfig]
    leverage: int = 1

Creation:

create --controller directional_trading

Common Use Cases

Market Making Setup

create
# Select: pure_market_making
# Configure tight spreads for high-volume pairs

Arbitrage Bot

create
# Select: amm_arb
# Configure DEX-CEX arbitrage

Custom Strategy

# First, create your script in scripts/my_strategy.py
create --script my_strategy
# Configure parameters defined in your script

Multiple Configs

Create variations for testing:

create
# File: btc_conservative.yml (0.5% spread)

create  
# File: btc_aggressive.yml (0.2% spread)

create
# File: btc_wide.yml (1.0% spread)

Troubleshooting

Missing Strategy Module

If you see “Invalid strategy” error:

1. Verify the strategy name is correct
2. Check if the strategy is installed
3. For scripts, ensure the file exists in scripts/ directory

Configuration Validation Errors

If validation fails during creation:

1. Check exchange connectivity (connect command)
2. Verify trading pair exists on the exchange
3. Ensure numeric values are in valid ranges
4. Confirm you have sufficient balance

Timeout During Status Check

If status check times out:

1. Check internet connection
2. Verify exchanges are online
3. Increase timeout:
   config create_command_timeout 60
   

Script/Controller Not Found

For V2 configurations:

1. Ensure script exists: scripts/[name].py
2. Verify controller exists in controllers directory
3. Check that config class is properly defined
4. Restart Hummingbot to reload modules

Configuration Templates

Hummingbot includes templates for all strategies in:

hummingbot/templates/conf_[strategy]_[version].yml

These templates show all available parameters with descriptions.

Related Commands

• import - Load existing configuration
• config - Modify configuration after creation
• start - Start the created strategy
• status - Verify configuration is valid