# Options Trading We're excited to support options trading! Use this section to read up on Alpaca's options trading capabilities. ### Options trading is now available on Live! Share your feedback on [Options API for Trading API here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScIYvKDJnKjXWESs6qxzpgk7pbvkt0IF1_nhv46t4o31-YOng/viewform) # OpenAPI Spec You can find our Open API docs here: [\](https://docs.alpaca.markets/reference). # Enablement In the Paper environment, options trading capability will be enabled by default - there's nothing you need to do! *Note, in production there will be a more robust experience to request options trading.* For those who do not wish to have options trading enabled, you can disable options trading by navigating to your Trading Dashboard; Account > Configure. The [Trading Account](https://docs.alpaca.markets/reference/getaccount-1) model was updated to reflect the account's options approved and trading levels. The [Account Configuration](https://docs.alpaca.markets/reference/getaccountconfig-1) model was updated to show the maximum options trading level, and allow a user to downgrade to a lower level. Note, a different API will be provided for requesting a level upgrade for live account. ## Trading Levels Alpaca supports the below options trading levels.
Level Supported Trades Validation
0 * Options trading is disabled * NA
1 * Sell a covered call * Sell cash-secured put * User must own sufficient underlying shares * User must have sufficient options buying power
2 * Level 1 * Buy a call * Buy a put * User must have sufficient options buying power
3 * Level 1,2 * Buy a call spread * Buy a put spread * User must have sufficient options buying power
# Option Contracts ## Assets API Update The [Assets](https://docs.alpaca.markets/reference/get-v2-assets-1) endpoint has an existing `attributes` query parameter. Symbols which have option contracts will have an attribute called `options_enabled`. Querying for symbols with the `options_enabled` attribute allows users to identify the universe of symbols with corresponding option contracts. ## Fetch Contracts To obtain contract details, a new endpoint was introduced: `/v2/options/contracts?underlying_symbols=`. The endpoint supports fetching a single contract such as `/v2/options/contracts/{symbol_or_id}` The default params are: * expiration\_date\_lte: Next weekend * limit: 100 Example: if `/v2/options/contracts` is called on Thursday, the response will include Thursday and Friday data. If called on a Saturday, the response will include Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Here is an example of a response object: ```json { "option_contracts": [ { "id": "6e58f870-fe73-4583-81e4-b9a37892c36f", "symbol": "AAPL240119C00100000", "name": "AAPL Jan 19 2024 100 Call", "status": "active", "tradable": true, "expiration_date": "2024-01-19", "root_symbol": "AAPL", "underlying_symbol": "AAPL", "underlying_asset_id": "b0b6dd9d-8b9b-48a9-ba46-b9d54906e415", "type": "call", "style": "american", "strike_price": "100", "size": "100", "open_interest": "6168", "open_interest_date": "2024-01-12", "close_price": "85.81", "close_price_date": "2024-01-12" }, ... ], "page_token": "MTAw", "limit": 100 } ``` More detailed information regarding this endpoint can be found on the OpenAPI spec [here](https://docs.alpaca.markets/reference/get-options-contracts). # Market Data Alpaca offers both [real-time](https://docs.alpaca.markets/docs/real-time-option-data) and [historical](https://docs.alpaca.markets/docs/historical-option-data) option data. # Placing an Order Placing an order for an option contract uses the same [Orders API](https://docs.alpaca.markets/reference/postorder) that is used for equities and crypto asset classes. Given the same Orders API endpoint is being used, Alpaca has implemented a series of validations to ensure the options order does not include attributes relevant to other asset classes. Some of these validations include: * Ensuring `qty` is a whole number * `Notional` must not be populated * `time_in_force` must be `day` or `gtc` * `extended_hours` must be `false` or not populated * `type` must be `market`,`limit`,`stop` or ,`stop_limit` (`stop` and `stop_limit` are only available for single-leg orders) Examples of valid order payloads can be found as a child page [here](https://docs.alpaca.markets/docs/options-orders). # Options Positions Good news - the existing [Positions API](https://docs.alpaca.markets/reference/getallopenpositions) model will work with options contracts. There is not expected to be a change to this model. As an additive feature, we aim to support fetching positions of a certain asset class; whether that be options, equities, or crypto. # Account Activities The existing schema for trade activities (TAs) are applicable for the options asset class. For example, the `FILL` activity is applicable to options and maintains it's current shape for options. There are new non-trade activities (NTAs) entry types for options, however the schema stays the same. These NTAs reflect exercise, assignment, and expiry. More details can be found on a child page [here](https://docs.alpaca.markets/docs/non-trade-activities-for-option-events) and on the OpenAPI spec [here](https://docs.alpaca.markets/reference/getaccountactivities-2). > 🚧 On PAPER NTAs are synced at the start of the following day. While your balance and positions are updated instantly, NTAs on PAPER will be visible in the Activities endpoint only the next day # Exercise and DNE Instructions ## Exercise Contract holders may submit exercise instructions to Alpaca. Alpaca will process instructions and work with our clearing partner accordingly. All available held shares of this option contract will be exercised. By default, Alpaca will automatically exercise in-the-money (ITM) contracts at expiry. Exercise requests will be processed immediately once received. Exercise requests submitted between market close and midnight will be rejected to avoid any confusion about when the exercise will settle. Endpoint: `POST /v2/positions/{symbol_or_contract_id}/exercise`(no body) More details in our OpenAPI Spec [here](https://docs.alpaca.markets/reference/optionexercise). ## Do Not Exercise To submit a Do-not-exercise (DNE) instruction, please contact our support team. # Expiration * In the event no instruction is provided on an ITM contract, the Alpaca system will exercise the contract as long as it is ITM by at least $0.01 USD. * Alpaca Operations has tooling and processes in place to identify accounts which pose a buying power risk with ITM contracts. * In the event the account does not have sufficient buying power to exercise an ITM position, Alpaca will sell-out the position within 1 hour before expiry. # Assignment Options assignments are not delivered through websocket events. To check for assignment activity (non-trade activity, or NTA events), you’ll need to poll the REST API endpoints. Websocket support for NTAs is not currently available. # FAQ Please see our full FAQs here: [https://alpaca.markets/support/tag/options](https://alpaca.markets/support/tag/options)