Alpaca

Alpaca

Use this skill when working with the Alpaca MCP server.

Connection

• The plugin starts Alpaca's official MCP server with uvx alpaca-mcp-server.
• Credentials are loaded by scripts/run-alpaca-mcp.sh from ~/.config/alpaca-mcp/env.
• If credentials are missing, tell the user to run ~/plugins/alpaca/scripts/configure-alpaca.sh.
• The server defaults to paper trading through ALPACA_PAPER_TRADE=true.
• ALPACA_TOOLSETS can limit available capabilities. Useful sets include account, trading, watchlists, assets, stock-data, crypto-data, options-data, corporate-actions, and news.

Safety

• Treat account information, positions, orders, API keys, and trading history as sensitive financial data.
• Confirm explicitly before placing, replacing, canceling, closing, liquidating, exercising, or marking options do-not-exercise.
• Be extra explicit when ALPACA_PAPER_TRADE=false, because that may place live trades.
• Do not give personalized investment advice. Present data, explain mechanics, and help the user inspect risks and alternatives.

Useful Prompts

• "Show my Alpaca buying power and open positions."
• "Compare market snapshots for AAPL, TSLA, and NVDA."
• "Find option contracts for AAPL expiring next month."
• "Place a paper-trading limit order after I confirm the details."