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Authentication: Why it matters in Algo Trading

Authentication is the foundation of every algorithmic trading system. No matter how advanced your strategy is, it cannot operate independently unless it can authenticate itself reliably and securely.

Most brokers still require:

  • Manual OTP entry
  • Phone-based approvals
  • Browser redirects
  • Human intervention at market open

This breaks true automation.

For an algo to be genuinely autonomous — capable of running on a server, restarting safely, or recovering from downtime — its authentication flow must be scriptable, predictable, and free from manual steps.

Authentication Flow

Traditional Broker Authentication

Broker login flowchart
  • Multiple redirect steps and browser-based login
  • Captcha and manual approvals add friction
  • Not suitable for automated or server-based execution

Nubra Authentication

Nubra login flowchart
  • Single streamlined flow managed by the Nubra SDK
  • Works reliably across servers, cloud, CI/CD, and headless environments
  • Designed for full automation and robust algo-trading setups

Nubra Authentication

Authentication overview
Nubra solves friction with multiple authentication pathways built for automation.

Below are all the ways you can authenticate using the Python SDK — ordered from complete automation to semi-automation:

1. Full Automation with TOTP + pyotp
2. Semi-Automation Using Authenticator Apps
3. Phone OTP + MPIN (Default Method)

Authentication Modes

1) Full Automation with TOTP + pyotp

Automate your entire authentication flow using a TOTP-based method.
Libraries such as pyotp generate time-based one-time passwords programmatically using your shared secret.
Once configured, this approach delivers 100% hands-free authentication — ideal for production servers, CI/CD pipelines, and fully autonomous trading systems.

Example

from nubra_python_sdk.start_sdk import InitNubraSdk, NubraEnv
import pyotp, builtins, getpass

# --- Your TOTP Secret ---
secret = "YOUR_TOTP_SECRET"
totp_gen = pyotp.TOTP(secret)

# Save originals so they can be restored later if needed
orig_input = builtins.input
orig_getpass = getpass.getpass

# Patch input() and getpass() so Nubra receives fresh TOTP automatically
def auto_totp_input(prompt=""):
    return totp_gen.now()

def auto_totp_getpass(prompt=""):
    return totp_gen.now()

builtins.input = auto_totp_input
getpass.getpass = auto_totp_getpass

# Initialize Nubra with fully automated authentication
nubra = InitNubraSdk(
    env=NubraEnv.PROD,
    totp_login=True,   # Enables TOTP-based authentication
    env_creds=True     # Loads PHONE_NO & MPIN from .env
)

print("✅ Login Successful (TOTP auto-filled)")

Why This Is Fully Automated

  • TOTP is generated programmatically
  • MPIN & phone number auto-loaded from .env
  • No SMS, no phone prompts, no browser redirects
  • Zero human involvement — ideal for mission-critical algo systems

2) Semi-Automation Using Authenticator Apps

This method stores the TOTP secret in an authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy, 1Password).
During login, you manually enter the TOTP, while Nubra automates everything else (MPIN, phone number, session handling).

Example

Step 1: Generate a TOTP secret

from nubra_python_sdk.start_sdk import InitNubraSdk, NubraEnv
nubra = InitNubraSdk(NubraEnv.PROD)
secret = nubra.totp_generate_secret()
print(secret)  # Add this secret to an app like Google Authenticator

Step 2: Enable TOTP-based login

from nubra_python_sdk.start_sdk import InitNubraSdk, NubraEnv
nubra = InitNubraSdk(NubraEnv.PROD)
nubra.totp_enable()

Step 3: During login

  • Enter 6-digit TOTP from your authenticator app
  • Enter your MPIN

Why This Is Semi-Automated

  • MPIN & phone number still auto-loaded from .env
  • Only the TOTP entry is manual
  • No SMS delays nor browser redirects
  • Faster & more reliable than phone-based OTP workflows

3) Phone OTP + MPIN (Default Method)

This method requires waiting for an SMS OTP and entering the credentials manually.
It is the simplest and most universally supported login method — useful as a fallback when TOTP automation is unavailable.

Example

from nubra_python_sdk.start_sdk import InitNubraSdk, NubraEnv

# Basic initialization for manual login
nubra = InitNubraSdk(NubraEnv.PROD)

SDK will prompt you for:

  1. Phone number
  2. SMS OTP
  3. MPIN

Optional: .env Automation

PHONE_NO="0000000000"
MPIN="0000"

nubra = InitNubraSdk(
    env=NubraEnv.PROD,
    env_creds=True   # Auto-loads phone number & MPIN
)

Why This Is Manual

  • Requires waiting for an SMS OTP
  • OTP must always be entered manually
  • MPIN & phone number can be automated via .env, but SMS cannot

Which Authentication Should You Choose?

Method Automation Level Best Use Case
TOTP + pyotp ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fully automated live trading
Google Authenticator ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Local scripts, development flows
Phone OTP + MPIN ⭐⭐⭐ Beginners & manual traders
NEO Assistant