Install (Windows)

Requirements

• Windows 10/11
• IBKR account (paper or live)
• TWS or IB Gateway installed

Installation flow

1. Complete the Stripe purchase form.

Disclaimer: The product is currently free. Submitting the form starts a free trial with a $0 subscription for an unspecified period. If the app becomes paid later, we will email you to add payment details; otherwise the app may stop working.

2. Check your email for the download link + onboarding token.

INFO

Keep this email. You will need the token to activate each device that runs Option Defense.

When contacting support, use the same email address to speed verification.

3. Download and run the installer.

INFO

Verify the installer's SHA256 checksum against the value shown here.

4. Check TWS/IB Gateway settings.

• TWS: Full UI, recommended if you're new to the IBKR API.
• IB Gateway: Lighter and uses fewer resources; still requires GUI login.

Enable API access:

• TWS: Edit → Global Configuration → API → Settings → Enable “ActiveX and Socket Clients.”
• IB Gateway: Socket API is enabled by default.

Port settings:

• Live: 7496
• Paper: 7497
• The port in Option Defense must match TWS/IB Gateway.

INFO

By default, the app uses 7497. We recommend starting with a paper account.

Read-only API toggle:

• Disable Read-Only in TWS API settings to allow order execution.

Your final configuration should look something like this:

5. Launch the app and paste your token.

6. Start protecting your options positions.