# SOAP2 Quick Help Guide
**Latest:** [Release Notes](./ReleaseNotes.md.html) • **Everything on one page:** [User Manual](./user_manual.md.html) • **Watch:** [Video walkthroughs](./videos.md.html)
SOAP2 (Simple Options Analysis Platform) is a Windows desktop app for options analysis and trade workflow on **Interactive Brokers (TWS)** via the IB API.
It is focused on live analysis and trade preparation. It is **not affiliated** with Interactive Brokers, and it does not provide backtesting or strategy optimization (yet).
SOAP2 is in **early access**: expect bugs and rough edges, and please send feedback.
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## Where do you want to start?
Follow the stages in order if you are new. Each page is short and ends by pointing to the next one.
| Step | Page | Level | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Getting Started](./getting_started.md.html) | Standard | Install, TWS settings, first connection, first OA |
| 2 | [Core Concepts](./core_concepts.md.html) | Standard | OA, symbols, accounts, trades, Model vs Recorded |
| 3 | [Learning the Interface](./learning_the_ui.md.html) | Standard | Toolstrips, tutorials in order, shortcuts, shutdown |
| 4 | [Features Overview](./features_overview.md.html) | All levels | Every guide, graded Standard or Advanced |
| 5 | [Troubleshooting & Support](./troubleshooting_support.md.html) | Quick reference | Message Log, bug reports, limits, glossary |
Short on time? Do this:
1. Install and connect: [Getting Started](./getting_started.md.html) (about 10 minutes).
2. Open your first trade: [Initial Walk-Through](./initial_walkthrough.md.html) (about 15 minutes).
## Which guide should a beginner read first?
A beginner reads [Getting Started](./getting_started.md.html) first, then the [Initial Walk-Through](./initial_walkthrough.md.html), then [Core Concepts](./core_concepts.md.html). The [Features Overview](./features_overview.md.html) lists every other guide by difficulty.
The "beginner guides" for [Trade Rules](./trade_rules_beginner_guide.md.html) and the other single features are follow-ups for later, once you have an Options Analysis window open.
---
## Find a guide by difficulty
| Level | Good starting points |
|---|---|
| **Standard** (everyday use) | [Initial Walk-Through](./initial_walkthrough.md.html), [Top Toolstrip](./toolstrip_tutorial.md.html), [OA window](./optionschain_overview.md.html), [Commit](./commit_overview.md.html) |
| **Advanced** (skew and analytics) | [Risk Reversal & Skew](./optionschain_riskreversal.md.html), [GEX / VEX](./gexvex_user_guide.md.html), [Index Distribution Stats](./indexstats_user_guide.md.html), [Trade Rules](./trade_rules_user_guide.md.html) |
Every guide, the Word guides and the full list by difficulty are in the [Features Overview](./features_overview.md.html), or use the search box above.
---
## Jump to a topic
- **Installing and connecting to TWS:** [Installation prerequisites](./getting_started.md.html#installation-prerequisites), [Connection prerequisites (TWS)](./getting_started.md.html#connection-prerequisites-tws)
- **Watchlist and symbols:** [Tickers (watchlist)](./core_concepts.md.html#tickers-watchlist)
- **Trades, accounts and fills:** [Trades](./core_concepts.md.html#trades), [Accounts](./core_concepts.md.html#accounts)
- **Shortcuts and multiple monitors:** [Keyboard shortcuts](./learning_the_ui.md.html#keyboard-shortcuts), [Multi-display](./multi_monitor_quick_reference.md.html)
- **Editions and updates:** [Licensing & Editions](./licensing_user_guide.md.html), [Version Handling & Updates](./version_handling_user_guide.md.html)
- **Ask Claude about SOAP2:** [AI Assistant (Claude)](./ai_assistant_user_guide.md.html)
- **Something broke:** [Troubleshooting & Support](./troubleshooting_support.md.html)
---
## Help and community
- Slack: https://soap2-licensing.soap2-reg.workers.dev/join-slack
- Contact: `[email protected]`
- In the app: **Help > SOAP > Send Feedback**