Starting up NinjaTrader Desktop 8.1 without typing username and password every time

[devatechnologies]

Upgrading the OS and Ninjatrader is always a big, tiresome task. My infrastructure finally feels solid though now, so it's one less thing to worry about. Ok here it is. Let me know if it works for you.

You'll need to download the attachment and then remove the .txt from the end of the file name. It wouldn't let me attach a .exe file here.

using System;
using System.Diagnostics;
using System.Windows.Forms;
using System.Runtime.InteropServices;
using System.Threading;

namespace NTLogin
{
    public class Program
    {
        private const UInt32 MOUSEEVENTF_LEFTDOWN = 0x0002;
        private const UInt32 MOUSEEVENTF_LEFTUP = 0x0004;

        [DllImport("user32.dll")]
        static extern bool SetCursorPos(int x, int y);

        [DllImport("user32.dll")]
        static extern bool SetForegroundWindow(IntPtr hWnd);

        [DllImport("user32.dll")]
        private static extern void mouse_event(uint dwFlags, uint dx, uint dy, uint dwData, uint dwExtraInf);

        [DllImport("user32.dll", SetLastError = true)]
        [return: MarshalAs(UnmanagedType.Bool)]
        static extern bool GetWindowRect(IntPtr hWnd, ref RECT lpRect);

        [StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential)]
        private struct RECT
        {
            public int Left;
            public int Top;
            public int Right;
            public int Bottom;
        }

        private static void ButtonClick(int x, int y)
        {
            SetCursorPos(x, y);
            mouse_event(MOUSEEVENTF_LEFTDOWN, 0, 0, 0, 0);
            mouse_event(MOUSEEVENTF_LEFTUP, 0, 0, 0, 0);
        }

        [STAThread]
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            Process ninjaProc = null;
            bool foundNinja = false;
            string passwd;
            string ninjaExe = @"C:\Program Files\NinjaTrader 8\bin\NinjaTrader.exe";

            // Expect exactly 1 argument (password)
            if (args.Length != 1)
            {
                return; // Silently exit if arguments are wrong
            }

            passwd = args[0]; // Set password from the single argument

            if (string.IsNullOrEmpty(passwd))
            {
                return; // Silently exit if password is missing
            }

            RECT rctNTPosition = new RECT();
            Process.Start(@ninjaExe);

            while (!foundNinja)
            {
                Process[] processlist = Process.GetProcessesByName("NinjaTrader");
                if (processlist.Length > 0)
                {
                    ninjaProc = processlist[0];
                    foundNinja = true;
                }
                System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(100);
            }

            int maxRetries = 60;
            int retryCount = 0;
            bool windowReady = false;
            while (!windowReady && retryCount < maxRetries)
            {
                if (ninjaProc.MainWindowHandle != IntPtr.Zero && GetWindowRect(ninjaProc.MainWindowHandle, ref rctNTPosition))
                {
                    if (rctNTPosition.Right > rctNTPosition.Left && rctNTPosition.Bottom > rctNTPosition.Top)
                    {
                        windowReady = true;
                    }
                }
                if (!windowReady)
                {
                    System.Threading.Thread.Sleep(500);
                    retryCount++;
                }
            }

            if (!windowReady)
            {
                return; // Silently exit if window isn’t ready
            }

            SetForegroundWindow(ninjaProc.MainWindowHandle);
            GetWindowRect(ninjaProc.MainWindowHandle, ref rctNTPosition);
            ButtonClick(rctNTPosition.Left + 30, rctNTPosition.Top + 210);

            Clipboard.SetText(passwd);
            SendKeys.SendWait("^v");
            SendKeys.SendWait("{ENTER}");
        }
    }
}​

[Tickdataman]

I just leave mine logged in on a server

[poeds]

I just leave mine logged in on a server

Hi do you see any lag on cursor movements or kb inputs?

thanks

[bltdavid]

I just leave mine logged in on a server

Useful for the someone who only trades, but developers may
have to exit/restart NinjaTrader dozens of times during the day,
and each restart mandates the username/password signon
dialog -- which quickly becomes tiresome.

Also, if NT8 (or Windows) ever crashes, you'll be restarting
NT8 in a hurry, and that username/password dialog will most
likely just get in your way and slow you down.

I agree, best to leave NT8 always running and always logged
in -- but it's even better to have a 'Remember me' checkbox
option to automatically bypass the signon process.

It's a no brainer, but NT mgmt is too scared to allow it.

Bummer.

[poeds]

Do new versions allow facial or fingerprint login?

[brucerobinson]

#devatechnologies
Pleased to report that it works for me - like an absolute charm. Thank you SO MUCH for doing this.
Kind regards,
Bruce

[bltdavid]

Pleased to report that it works for me - like an absolute charm. Thank you SO MUCH for doing this.

I concur, I downloaded it, removed the .txt extension,
and it works perfectly! Many Thanks!

[Mark--]

Let me clarify the thinking behind the change which was not driven by security concerns. In order to be able to offer an integrated experience for our customers to be able to use the NinjaTrader Desktop, Web, Mobile and Account Management (which is now available to all NinjaTrader Brokerage customers) features efficiently, it was necessary for us to collapse into a single user management (logon) approach. Account security is just a benefit of this. That all said, we hear what you are saying and as mentioned in an earlier post, will make some improvements to the Desktop logon experience with our next release, which will come out sooner than later.

More than two years later and still annoying. That you do not provide a solution, is telling. I assume the next progressive/incremental step will be 2FA.