> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.heroncopier.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Host Your EA or cBot
Besides copying trades, the Heron Copier cloud can run your own trading robot 24/7: an Expert Advisor (EA) on MetaTrader 4 or MetaTrader 5, or a cBot on cTrader. You upload the compiled file and its parameters, choose the charts, and the robot runs on our servers. There is no VPS to rent or maintain.
EA and cBot hosting is available in the **cloud version** only, for **MT4**, **MT5**, and **cTrader** accounts.
## How it differs from a copier account
A hosted EA or cBot is a third kind of cloud account, next to master and slave accounts:
* It runs **independently**. It is not connected to any master or slave, and you do not need a master account to create one.
* It uses **1 cloud seat**, the same as a master or slave account. See [Billing and Payments](/misc/billing).
* It runs **your** robot, not the Heron Copier EA, so copier settings such as volume sizing, symbol aliases, or account protection do not apply to it.
## What you need
| | MT4 | MT5 | cTrader |
| - | - | - | - |
| Robot file | Compiled `.ex4` | Compiled `.ex5` | `.algo` |
| Parameters file | `.set` | `.set` | `.cbotset` |
| Account details | Login, password, server | Login, password, server | Username/email, password, broker, account number |
* **Robot file:** the compiled file only, not the source code (`.mq4`/`.mq5`). Maximum 10 MB.
* **Parameters file:** maximum 256 KB. On MT4/MT5, open the EA's **Inputs** tab in your terminal and click **Save** to export a `.set` preset. On cTrader, export the cBot's parameters to a `.cbotset` file; it must be valid JSON with a `Parameters` section.
EAs bought from the MQL5 Market are locked to the computer they were installed on, and EAs with their own license check may refuse to run on a new machine. Use an EA you have a working compiled file for, and confirm with the vendor that it may run on a hosted server.
## Set up a hosted EA or cBot
1. In the [dashboard](https://dashboard.heroncopier.com), open **Cloud Accounts** and click **+** to add an account.
2. Choose **MT4**, **MT5**, or **cTrader**.
3. When asked for the account type, choose **Neither, it is an EA** (or **Neither, it is a cBot** on cTrader).
4. Fill in the **Trading account** section with the account the robot should trade on, and give it a unique **Identifier**.
5. Upload the robot file and the parameters file. You can expand **Preview parameters** to check the values before launching.
6. Add the **charts** to attach the robot to (see below).
7. On MT4/MT5, review the **Permissions** section (see below).
8. Click **Launch**. It usually takes a minute or two for the robot to start.
## Charts
The robot is attached to every chart you add, and each chart runs its own copy of the robot with the same parameters.
* Add between **1 and 10** charts.
* Use the broker's **exact symbol name**, including any suffix (for example `EURUSD.r`). Symbols may contain letters, digits, and `. _ # + - / !`, with no spaces and at most 40 characters.
* Pick a timeframe: M1, M5, M15, M30, H1, H4, D1, W1, or MN1. On cTrader these are shown with cTrader's own names (for example `m15`, `h1`, `Month1`).
* The same symbol and timeframe can only be listed once.
* On cTrader, if your `.cbotset` file includes a chart, the dashboard uses it to fill in the first chart.
Some robots trade every symbol from a single chart. Attaching such a robot to several charts runs several copies of it, which can open duplicate trades. Check how your robot works and attach it to one chart if it manages all symbols on its own.
## Permissions (MT4/MT5)
### Allow DLL imports
DLL imports are **off** by default. DLLs run native code inside your hosted terminal, so this option requires admin approval for your license. If your EA needs DLLs, [contact support](/help-and-support/helpandsupport). Once your license is approved, the **Allow DLL imports** switch can be turned on in the form. cTrader cBots do not have this option.
### WebRequest URLs
If your EA calls web addresses with `WebRequest()` (for example a license server, a news feed, or a notification service), list those addresses here. With no URLs listed, the EA cannot reach any address through `WebRequest()`.
* Add up to **20** URLs. Each must start with `http://` or `https://` and point to a **public** host name or public IPv4 address. Private, local, and internal network addresses are not allowed.
* URLs cannot contain spaces, quotes, `;`, `,`, `*`, or backslashes.
* **MT4:** include the scheme (`https://`). Each URL allows that host and any path starting with it. Custom ports are not supported, and the total length of all URLs is limited to 2,000 characters.
* **MT5:** each entry allows that host (and port, if you give one); the scheme and path are ignored.
* On both platforms, subdomains are separate hosts. List `www.example.com` and `api.example.com` separately if the EA uses both.
Hosted robots can reach the public internet, but not private or internal network addresses.
## Manage a hosted EA or cBot
Hosted robots appear on the **Cloud Accounts** page with a robot icon and the label **EA Hosting** or **cBot Hosting**. You can show only these accounts by choosing **EA/cBot Accounts Only** in the account filter.
| Status | Meaning |
| - | - |
| **Starting** | The account was just created and the terminal is starting. |
| **Running** | The terminal is running with your robot attached. |
| **Stopped** | The terminal is not running. Try **Redeploy**, then contact support if it stays stopped. |
* **View configuration** shows the account details, the uploaded files, the charts, and (on MT4/MT5) the WebRequest URLs.
* **Redeploy** restarts the hosted terminal with the same files and charts. The robot is offline for a few minutes while it restarts.
* **Delete** stops the robot, removes the account, and deletes the uploaded files.
* **Editing is not available yet.** To change the files, charts, or permissions, delete the account and create it again.
Copier actions such as pause, open positions, history, close all, and kill switch apply to master and slave accounts only, so they are not available for hosted robots. Balance, equity, and the terminal's Experts log are not shown on the dashboard for hosted robots yet. Check your trades in your broker's platform or mobile app.
## Copying your robot's trades
Hosting and copying are separate. If you want the trades your robot makes to be copied to other accounts, add the same trading account as a [master](/config/master) cloud account as well, then add your slave accounts. This uses one more seat.
## Prop firms and brokers
Prop firms and brokers set their own rules for EAs, bots, and trading from servers. Check those rules before hosting a robot on an evaluation or funded account. Hosted robots trade from Heron Copier cloud servers, not from your own IP address. See [Does Heron Cloud provide a dedicated or static IP?](/faq#does-heron-cloud-provide-a-dedicated-or-static-ip)
This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.