FinLab Desktop guide

Install and connect

1. Choose Windows, macOS or Linux on the download page. On a Mac, Apple menu → About This Mac tells you whether you have Apple Silicon (M-series) or Intel. Run the Windows installer, open the Mac disk image and drag FinLab to Applications before opening it, or make the Linux AppImage executable and open it.
2. Sign in with your existing FinLab account to sync strategies and access your plan’s data. FinLab sign-in and AI account sign-in are separate.
3. On first launch, the Prepare your research room panel appears. Python installs automatically; you do not need to install it yourself.
4. FinLab AI is the default, so you can start without connecting anything. To use your own AI, choose Claude Code or Codex under Connect your AI account and press Install. Then press Sign in, finish signing in in the browser and return to the app. Wait for Signed in.

How do I return after choosing Set up later?

While setup is incomplete, click the Connect your AI account button to reopen the panel. Once one AI account is signed in, both the panel and the button disappear.

Want to use both Claude Code and Codex?

You can connect both accounts while the panel is open. If it has disappeared, install the second tool using its official guide below, run its sign-in command in a terminal, then fully quit and reopen FinLab Desktop. Switch providers in the model menu beside the input.

• Claude Code setup · claude auth login --claudeai
• Codex setup · codex login · sign-in reference

Models and allowances

Click the AI name beside the input to choose an AI. When your plan includes own-AI tool calls and Claude Code or Codex is signed in, it is the default (Claude Code when both are); otherwise FinLab AI is. Once you switch, the app keeps your choice next time. With your own AI, pick its reasoning effort (medium, high or xhigh) near the top of that menu; each AI’s model is under Advanced. Turn off Continue before switching AIs.

FinLab own-AI tool calls: VIP includes 100 per month and the AI plan 200. MAX, MAX Local and active trials are unlimited; the free plan includes none. Calls reset monthly from your payment date in Taipei time, including annual plans. The model menu shows remaining calls and the next reset; accounts without a billing period reset on the 1st.

Whichever AI you choose, desktop strategy code runs on your computer. Data access and download allowances still follow your FinLab plan.

Research and optimization

1. Choose a strategy from your list or add an example from the strategy library, then open AI Optimize. Describe a goal, such as comparing how the number of holdings affects drawdown.
2. Send your request. The AI researches, changes code and backtests. Review the experiment node and Report to compare returns, drawdown and conditions. A completed experiment does not guarantee improvement.
3. To adopt a result, press Set as main on its node. This loads the whole result program into the notebook, saves it and marks the node with ★. Completing an AI experiment does not automatically replace your notebook.
4. Run the notebook when you want to update the strategy page’s backtest report. Set as main does not itself run code or upload a report.

Continue: off (default)

The next message starts another experiment. Use it for a different idea or to change models. Earlier results remain available.

Continue: on

Continue the current AI conversation to ask about results or refine the same direction. The provider and model stay fixed; reasoning effort can change.

Let the AI optimize automatically

MAX and MAX Local include Auto-optimization at the top of the research flow. Confirm your objective and backtest period in the research settings, choose the number of experiments and start. The AI extends directions, backtests and compares results. Results remain on nodes; you decide which to set as main. Stop with the auto-optimization control, or find running research in the sidebar.

Auto-optimization uses the AI and allowance shown in its menu. Plug in your computer and configure sleep settings below before a long run.

Schedules and sleep settings

1. Save the notebook you want to schedule. To use an AI result, first press Set as main on that node.
2. Open Schedule in the sidebar, press New schedule and pick the strategy, choose Local under Runs on, set Repeats and Run time, then press Create schedule.
3. Keep the app open, stay signed in to FinLab, remain online and keep the computer awake. The schedule runs on this computer; closing the app does not transfer it to the cloud.
4. After a run, open the schedule and check Runs for its result and any error. The scheduled time alone does not confirm success.

Local schedules run the saved notebook. A ★ marker alone does not change the scheduled program, and unsaved on-screen edits are not executed.

Updates and troubleshooting

The app checks for and downloads updates in the background. The update icon near the bottom of the sidebar shows progress; once downloaded, choose Restart to update. To check manually, open the sidebar account menu → Check for updates….

Installation or sign-in did not finish

Press Check again in the setup panel. If Install fails, use Copy command or the official setup guides above. After signing in in a terminal, fully quit and reopen the app.

The AI reports an exhausted allowance

Check whether you selected your own AI or FinLab AI, and whether the message refers to your AI account or FinLab own-AI tool calls. These allowances are separate; switching models does not reset usage.