TopStep

How to Import Your TopStep Trades into PipJournal

TopStep is a US-based proprietary trading firm that has funded thousands of traders through its Trading Combine evaluation program. Unlike many prop firms that focus on forex, TopStep began with futures and has expanded to offer forex trading within its program. Based in Chicago and known for its trader-friendly approach, TopStep is a respected name in the prop firm industry.

PipJournal’s prop firm features are designed for exactly this type of evaluation trading. While the direct TopStep integration is in development, you can import your trades today via CSV export from your trading platform. PipJournal’s drawdown tracking, daily loss monitoring, scaling plan compliance, and behavioral analysis work immediately.

Step-by-Step Setup Guide

Step 1: Export your TopStep trade history

TopStep supports several trading platforms — TSTrader, NinjaTrader, TradingView, and others. The export process varies by platform:

TSTrader: Navigate to the trade history or reports section and export as CSV.

NinjaTrader: Go to Account Performance > Export trades.

TradingView: Navigate to History > Export.

Save the exported file to your computer.

Step 2: Upload to PipJournal

Log in to PipJournal, go to Import > Upload CSV, and upload your export file. Since TopStep supports multiple platforms with different export formats, PipJournal’s column mapper may ask you to manually map some fields. Match each column — instrument, direction, size, entry/exit prices, timestamps, and P&L — to PipJournal’s fields.

Step 3: Configure TopStep-specific rules

After import, navigate to Account Settings and configure your TopStep Combine rules:

Rule	TopStep Trading Combine
Maximum Trailing Drawdown	Varies by account size
Maximum Daily Loss	Varies by account size
Profit Target	Varies by account size
Minimum Trading Days	Required
Scaling Plan	Position limits tied to equity

Enter your specific account size and TopStep will calculate the exact dollar thresholds.

Step 4: Review your compliance dashboard

The compliance dashboard shows your status against every TopStep rule:

• Trailing drawdown: Current equity vs. the trailing drawdown floor
• Daily loss: Today’s P&L vs. the daily limit
• Profit progress: Cumulative P&L vs. the profit target
• Position sizing: Current and recent position sizes vs. scaling plan limits
• Trading days: Number of days traded vs. the minimum requirement

Each metric is color-coded: green (safe), yellow (approaching threshold), red (at risk).

Step 5: Import after every session

Export and import your trades after each session. TopStep’s rules are enforced in real time by the firm, but PipJournal’s compliance tracking helps you manage your approach proactively — catching dangerous patterns before they become violations.

What Data Gets Imported

From your TopStep platform export, PipJournal captures:

• All trade details — instrument, direction, position size, entry/exit prices, timestamps
• Commission data — when included in the export
• Trade sequence — order of trades for behavioral analysis
• Daily P&L — calculated for daily loss limit tracking
• Running equity — reconstructed for trailing drawdown calculation

Features for TopStep Traders

Understanding the trailing drawdown

TopStep’s trailing drawdown is one of its most challenging rules because it moves. Unlike a fixed drawdown (where your floor stays at a set level), TopStep’s trailing drawdown follows your peak equity upward. This means:

• If your starting balance is $50,000 with a $2,000 trailing drawdown, your floor is $48,000
• If your equity rises to $52,000, your floor rises to $50,000
• Your floor never decreases — it only follows equity up

PipJournal visualizes this trailing floor alongside your equity curve. You can see exactly how much buffer you have at any moment and how your recent trades have affected it. This is critical because many traders do not realize their floor has risen until it is too late.

The daily loss limit and session discipline

TopStep’s daily loss limit resets at a specific time each day. PipJournal tracks your daily P&L against this limit and shows your remaining buffer. The AI co-pilot also monitors for dangerous intra-day patterns:

• Loss stacking — multiple losing trades in quick succession
• Recovery attempts — increasing size after losses to “get back to even”
• Late-session risk — taking new positions close to the daily reset

These patterns frequently lead to daily loss violations and Combine failures.

Scaling plan management

TopStep’s scaling plan limits your maximum position size based on your account equity. As equity fluctuates, your allowed position size changes. PipJournal tracks your position sizes over time and flags when you are approaching scaling limits. This prevents accidental violations — especially during volatile sessions when it is easy to add positions without tracking your total exposure.

Behavioral patterns specific to Combine trading

The TopStep Trading Combine is a pressure environment. You are trading to pass, not just to be profitable. PipJournal’s AI co-pilot detects pressure-induced behavioral patterns:

• Target chasing — increasing risk as you approach the profit target
• Overprotection — dramatically reducing trade size after hitting the target, potentially missing the required consistency
• Calendar anxiety — taking excessive risk as the Combine deadline approaches
• Post-drawdown paralysis — stopping trading after a drawdown, then rushing trades to meet trading day requirements

These patterns are invisible without systematic behavioral tracking.

TopStep-Specific Tips

Visualize your trailing drawdown daily. Check PipJournal’s drawdown visualization before every session. Know your exact floor and your exact buffer. If your buffer is slim, trade smaller or skip the session entirely.

Do not chase the profit target. TopStep’s profit target is a milestone, not a finish line. Traders who increase risk to reach the target faster are the ones who violate drawdown rules. PipJournal shows your pace toward the target — if you are on track, trust your normal approach.

Monitor position sizes against scaling limits. During volatile sessions, it is easy to enter multiple positions that collectively exceed your scaling plan. PipJournal tracks cumulative position size so you stay within limits.

Track your daily P&L before each trade. Before entering any new position, check your remaining daily buffer in PipJournal. If you have already lost half your daily limit, the risk-reward of taking another trade changes dramatically.

Use free tools for pre-trade planning. PipJournal’s position size calculator helps you determine the right size for your remaining buffer. The risk-reward calculator helps evaluate whether a setup justifies the risk relative to your current Combine status.

TopStep Combines are won by traders who manage rules, not just markets. PipJournal tracks your trailing drawdown, monitors daily limits, watches your scaling compliance, and detects the behavioral patterns that cause Combine failures. Import your TopStep trades and see your compliance status in real time. Start tracking your TopStep Combine today.