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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about installing and using Gopher.

Installation​

Can I install Gopher anywhere on my system?​

Yes! You can place gopher.exe (or the gopher binary on macOS/Linux) in any folder you like, such as C:\gopher on Windows.

A few tips:

  • Add to PATH (recommended) — Lets you run gopher from any directory:

    • Windows: Search "Environment Variables" → Edit "Path" → Add your folder (e.g., C:\gopher)
    • macOS/Linux: Add export PATH="/your/path:$PATH" to your shell profile

  • First run on Windows — Windows SmartScreen may show a warning since the executable isn't signed. Click "More info" → "Run anyway"

  • Alternative locations if you hit permission issues:

    • C:\Users\YourName\gopher (no admin needed)
    • /usr/local/bin/ (macOS/Linux standard location)

Where does Gopher store its configuration?​

Gopher stores all settings in a fixed location based on your home directory — not where the executable is located.

PlatformConfig Path
WindowsC:\Users\<username>\Documents\Gopher\config.json
macOS~/Documents/Gopher/config.json
Linux~/Documents/Gopher/config.json

Additional folders:

FolderPurpose
Documents/Gopher/sessions/Strategy evolution session data
Documents/Gopher/gopher.dbLocal database

Run gopher setup to create or update your configuration.

I have an old "BART" folder — will my config still work?​

Yes! Gopher automatically detects and uses legacy Documents/BART/ folders for backwards compatibility. If you have an existing BART installation:

  • Your existing config and sessions will continue to work
  • New installations will use Documents/Gopher/
  • You can manually migrate by renaming BART to Gopher (optional)

CLI vs Desktop Apps​

Which should I use — CLI or Desktop App?​

Use the CLI if you want:

  • The latest features (CLI is always ahead in development)
  • Live trading capabilities
  • Automation and scripting
  • Running on Linux or servers

Use the Desktop App if you prefer:

  • A graphical interface
  • Simpler setup for beginners
  • You don't need live trading (yet)

Does the Desktop App support live trading?​

Not yet. Live trading is currently only available in the CLI. Desktop apps are focused on backtesting and strategy evolution. Live trading support will be added in a future release.

Configuration​

How do I change my API keys after setup?​

Run the setup wizard again:

gopher setup

This will walk you through updating your configuration, including API keys.

Can I use my own OpenAI/OpenRouter API key?​

Yes! During setup, select your preferred LLM provider:

  • Gopher Key (recommended) — Managed service, no external API key needed
  • OpenRouter — Bring your own OpenRouter API key
  • OpenAI — Bring your own OpenAI API key

Where can I get a Gopher Key?​

Visit gotrader.gopher-ai.com/settings to get your Gopher Key.

Trading​

What exchanges does Gopher support?​

Currently, Gopher supports Hyperliquid perpetual futures only. Support for additional exchanges may be added in the future.

Is my private key safe?​

Your Hyperliquid private key is stored locally in your config file (Documents/BART/config.json) and is never sent to any external server. All trading operations are executed directly from your machine to Hyperliquid.

What's the difference between paper and live trading?​

ModeDescription
PaperSimulated trading on Hyperliquid testnet — no real money
LiveReal trading on Hyperliquid mainnet — uses real funds

Always test strategies in paper mode before going live.

Troubleshooting​

Gopher says "API key required" but I entered one​

Make sure you've selected the correct provider during setup. If you're using a Gopher Key, select the Gopher Key option — not OpenRouter or OpenAI.

Run gopher setup to reconfigure.

I get a "permission denied" error on macOS/Linux​

Make the binary executable:

chmod +x gopher

Windows Defender blocks gopher.exe​

This happens because the executable isn't signed. You can:

  1. Click "More info" → "Run anyway" when the SmartScreen warning appears
  2. Add an exception in Windows Security settings

Still have questions?​