Settings ======== The Settings view lets you configure database management, backups, time format preferences, image constraints, lot sizes, licensing, and debug logging. Navigate to **Settings** in the sidebar. .. image:: /_static/card_settingsview.png :alt: Settings view :align: center | Database -------- The **Database** section shows your current database path and provides five actions: - **New DB** - Create a blank database at a location you choose. Useful for starting a fresh journal or separating data by year, account, or strategy. - **Open DB** - Switch to an existing ``.db`` file. FTJ will reload all data from the new database. - **Import** - Open the trade import dialog (see :doc:`importing-data`). - **Export** - Export all trades to a CSV file (default filename: ``trades_export.csv``). - **Backup** - Create a backup of your database. You can choose between: - **Full Backup** - Copies all data including images. - **Lightweight Backup** - Copies data only, excluding images. To open a database with validation and repair, see **Database Recovery** in the :ref:`Advanced ` section. The current database file path is displayed at the top of the card. .. tip:: You can maintain multiple databases and switch between them freely. Each database is completely independent with its own accounts, trades, strategies, and settings. Backup Settings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - **Backup Reminder** - Set a reminder interval in days (0-365, default: **7**). When enabled, the Dashboard next-steps guide will prompt you if no backup has been made within the configured period. Set to 0 to disable the reminder. - **Auto-Backup on Startup** - When enabled (default: **On**), FTJ automatically creates a lightweight backup each time it launches. Backups are stored in an ``_autobackups`` subfolder next to your database. A backup is skipped if the last one was less than 20 hours ago. - **Keep Backups** - The maximum number of auto-backups to retain (1-50, default: **5**). Only visible when auto-backup is enabled. Oldest backups are automatically pruned when this limit is exceeded. Time Format ----------- Choose between: - **12-Hour** - Times displayed as ``2026-02-20 11:01:07 am``. - **24-Hour** - Times displayed as ``2026-02-20 23:01:07``. This setting affects all date/time displays throughout the application - trade entries, exits, execution times, and chart axes. .. _advanced: Advanced -------- **Database Recovery** Opens a ``.db`` file, clones it to a new location, and validates the clone before switching. Unlike **Open DB**, this performs an integrity check, verifies it, and offers to repair data issues. The original file is never modified. Use this when recovering from a backup or opening a database you suspect may have problems. **Debug Logging** Toggle to enable or disable diagnostic logging for broker imports. When enabled, FTJ writes detailed entries to the broker status log inside the app, which can help troubleshoot import issues. - **Off** (default) - Minimal logging for normal operation. - **On** - Verbose logging for debugging broker connections and import processes. .. warning:: Debug logging can slow down import operations and generate large log files. Only enable it when troubleshooting a specific issue. **Seed Strategies & Exit Reasons** Inserts a set of sample strategies, confluences, and exit reasons - each with a generated icon image. Safe to run multiple times; only missing items are added. Images ------ The **Images** section controls how trade screenshots are stored in the database. Image Constraints ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ .. list-table:: :widths: 30 20 50 :header-rows: 1 * - Setting - Default - Description * - **Max Image Width** - 1920 px - Images wider than this are automatically resized. * - **Max Image Height** - 1080 px - Images taller than this are automatically resized. * - **Max File Size** - 2048 KB - Images larger than this are automatically compressed. .. note:: Very large image limits can significantly increase your database size and slow down backups/syncing. The defaults (1920×1080, 2 MB) are recommended for most users. JPEG Preferences ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - **Prefer JPEG for screenshots (no transparency)** - When enabled, screenshots are automatically converted from PNG to JPEG before storage. This greatly reduces database size since chart screenshots typically don't need transparency. **Default: On.** - **Prompt before converting to JPEG** - When enabled, FTJ asks for confirmation before converting a PNG to JPEG. Useful if you need to preserve PNG transparency. **Default: On.** - **JPEG Quality** - The compression quality for JPEG conversion (1–100). Higher values produce better quality but larger files. **Default: 85.** Lot Sizes --------- The **Lot Sizes** panel lets you define the default number of units per lot for each symbol. Lot sizes are scoped per account, so different accounts can have different unit-per-lot definitions. - **Account selector** - Choose which account to configure. - **Symbol** - A dropdown showing symbols that appear in your trades but don't have a lot size defined yet. You can also type a new symbol. - **Units per Lot** - The number of units one lot represents (e.g. 100,000 for FX pairs). - **Add** - Adds or updates the lot size for the selected symbol. Existing lot sizes are shown in a scrollable list. Select an entry and click **Delete** to remove it, or **Cancel** to revert unsaved changes. Click **Save** to persist. .. note:: Lot sizes control how quantities display in Lots mode and how lot-based inputs are converted to units. License ------- The **License** card shows your current subscription status. - **Status** - Displays |active_badge| or |expired_badge|. - **Plan** - The name of your current plan (e.g. "Annual Subscription"). - **Days Remaining** - Visible during a trial, showing how many days are left. - **Started** - The date your subscription or trial began. - **Last Verified** - The last time license status was verified (UTC). - **App Version** - The installed version of FTJ. .. |active_badge| raw:: html Active .. |trial_badge| raw:: html Trial .. |expired_badge| raw:: html Expired Buttons: - **Subscribe Now / Manage Subscription** - Opens the subscription page. The label changes depending on whether you already have an active subscription. - **Refresh License** - Manually re-checks your license status. Legal ----- The **Legal** card contains regulatory disclosures. *Forgalis TradingJournal is a journaling tool only. It does not provide trading signals, investment advice, or financial recommendations.* - **View License Agreement** - Opens the full license agreement in a pop-up window. - **Third-Party Notices** - Opens third-party attribution notices in a pop-up window.