> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.bigdipperoptions.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Using BigDipperOptions

> Step 4 of Learn: sign in, navigate the dashboard, and practice reading chains, GEX, walls, and score before the Wheel track.

**Learn** · **Foundations · Step 4 of 4** · [Learn home](/learn/overview) · **Prev:** [Options Basics](/learn/options-basics) · **Next:** [Wheel Learning Series](/learn/wheel-complete-guide)

***

This is your **platform literacy** step. You will log in, learn how the dashboard is organized, then walk through one symbol end-to-end—without treating anything as a trade signal.

<Warning>
  Data is a **15-minute delayed** stream fetched regularly—**prices on charts are not live**. BigDipperOptions does **not** place trades. Confirm live underlying and option prices at your brokerage before any order.
</Warning>

**Estimated time:** \~30–45 minutes (first visit may take longer while you explore).

***

## 1. Account access — sign up and login

### Create an account

1. Go to [bigdipperoptions.com](https://bigdipperoptions.com).
2. Open **Sign Up** from the site menu.
3. Enter your details and create an account.
4. New accounts include a **30-day free trial** with access to premium features (see [FAQ](/faq/faq) for subscription details after the trial).

### Log in

1. Return to [bigdipperoptions.com](https://bigdipperoptions.com).
2. Choose **Login** (or **Sign In**).
3. Enter your email and password.
4. You should land on the main **dashboard** or your last workspace view.

### Forgot password

1. On the **Login** page, click **Forgot Password**.
2. Follow the email instructions to reset your password.
3. If you are stuck, contact [support@bigdipperoptions.com](mailto:support@bigdipperoptions.com) or [Contact Us](/support/contact-us).

### Secure your account (recommended)

* Enable **two-factor authentication (2FA)** in **account settings** for extra protection.
* BigDipperOptions uses encrypted connections; payment details are handled by **Stripe** (see [FAQ](/faq/faq)).
* BigDipperOptions does **not** connect to your brokerage—you log in only to this platform for research.

### What you need before you start studying

* [ ] Active login
* [ ] You have read [Delayed Data Disclaimer](/learn/delayed-data-disclaimer)
* [ ] You understand chart **prices** are for **research**, not live execution
* [ ] (Recommended) A **paper trading** account at a brokerage for practicing orders before real size

### Paper trading before live size

BigDipperOptions is for **research only**—you still need a brokerage to place, close, and manage options. Before your first live wheel trade, practice the mechanics (open, close, roll, assignment) in a **paper** account with simulated money.

| Broker (examples) | Paper trading |
| - | - |
| **[Alpaca](https://alpaca.markets/)** | Yes — paper trading available |
| **[Charles Schwab](https://www.schwab.com/)** (thinkorswim paperMoney) | Yes — paper trading available |
| **Robinhood** | No — at the time of writing, no paper trading |
| **Fidelity** | No — at the time of writing, no paper trading |

<Note>
  Broker features change. **At the time of writing this document**, Robinhood and Fidelity do not offer paper trading; Alpaca and Schwab are two platforms where you can practice. This is not an endorsement—pick a broker that fits your region, products, and support needs, and confirm paper trading on their site before you rely on it.
</Note>

**How to use paper trading with Learn:**

1. Research on BigDipperOptions (delayed charts, Options Chain Report—the **Wheel page** comes later in the Wheel track).
2. Execute and manage the **same workflow** in your paper account—confirm **live** underlying and option quotes there.
3. Journal fills and decisions until closing, rolling, and assignment feel routine (see the lifecycle page in the Wheel track).
4. Only then scale to live size with your written screening and execution rules from the Wheel track.

***

## 2. Dashboard navigation

Get comfortable moving around **before** you interpret GEX on a ticker. The dashboard is a **market intelligence workspace**—not an order entry screen. Use **search** to find symbols and **filters** on each page to narrow expiries, strikes, and chart types. Spending a few minutes on the **Chain** tab filters early makes every graph easier to read.

Full walkthrough: [Navigation tips](/dashboard/navigation-tips) · Per-expiry metrics: [Key metrics explained](/dashboard/key-metrics-explained)

### Top navigation

| Element | Purpose |
| - | - |
| **Charts / Resources** | Main menu navigation |
| **Live / Latest data** | Freshness indicators (delayed stream—see disclaimer) |
| **Search** | Find symbols |
| **Account / Trial** | Subscription and settings |

Open the **Options Chain Report** and select a ticker in the report header search (e.g. `AAPL`).

Full UI walkthrough with screenshots: [Navigation tips](/dashboard/navigation-tips).

### Options Chain Report — sections and filters

The report is one scrollable page with **five sections**. Each section has its own **Filter** control and chart tools.

| Section | What to use it for |
| - | - |
| **Stock Price** | Trend, range, technical overlays (RSI, MACD, ATR, BB) |
| **Price Direction Bias** | Activity heatmap by expiry × strike |
| **Gamma Exposure (GEX)** | Walls, max gamma, strike range (5%–All), expiry picker |
| **Weight Distribution** | Score vs GEX heatmaps |
| **Options Activity** | Volume / Trend / Record views |

**GEX filters to learn first:** Individual expiry · **Filter** · **Strike range** (5%, 10%, 20%, 50%, All).

Per-expiry labels on the GEX chart: **Max Gamma Put/Call**, **Call Wall**, **Price**. Details: [Key metrics explained](/dashboard/key-metrics-explained).

### Suggested first-time tour (\~15 min)

1. Open the **Options Chain Report** and search **AAPL** or another liquid symbol.
2. Scroll **Stock Price**—note trend and regime badges.
3. On **GEX**, pick one **expiry** and **10%** strike range; find Call Wall and Max Gamma labels.
4. Open **Weight Distribution**—toggle **Score** vs **GEX**.
5. Skim **Options Activity** (Volume / Trend).
6. **Do not place trades here**—verify live underlying and option prices at your broker before any order.

Screenshots: [Navigation tips](/dashboard/navigation-tips).

### Navigation habits that help

* **Learn search + filters first**—each section has its own Filter control; familiarity saves time later
* **One symbol per study session** until labels feel familiar
* **Same symbol, multiple tabs/views** beats jumping across tickers
* **Refresh awareness**—**chart prices are delayed**; re-check [Delayed Data Disclaimer](/learn/delayed-data-disclaimer) if quotes look “stale”
* **Documentation sidebar** on this site maps to dashboard concepts—bookmark pages you use often

### Dashboard docs (reference)

* [Navigation tips](/dashboard/navigation-tips)
* [Wheel Page Guide](/dashboard/wheel-page-guide)
* [Interpreting graphs](/dashboard/interpreting-graphs)
* [Key metrics explained](/dashboard/key-metrics-explained)
* [Focus on GEX and Options Analytics](/introduction/gex-analytics-focus)

***

## 3. Guided study session (\~20–25 min)

With navigation covered, run this workflow on **one** symbol.

### Step A — Price context

Open [Stock Price History](/optionschain/stock-price-history) (or the equivalent chart on the dashboard).

Ask:

* Trending or range-bound recently?
* Where did price stall or bounce in the last few months?

You are building **context**, not a forecast.

### Step B — Options Chain Report

Follow [Navigation tips](/dashboard/navigation-tips) (with screenshots).

1. **Search** your symbol in the report header
2. Review **Stock Price** and **Price Direction Bias**
3. On **GEX**, set expiry + strike range; note walls and max gamma
4. Compare **Weight Distribution** Score vs GEX tabs

Chart reading: [Options Chain intro](/optionschain/options-chain-intro) · Metrics: [Key metrics explained](/dashboard/key-metrics-explained)

### Step C — GEX and walls

Open on the dashboard and cross-read:

* [Gamma Exposure Graph](/optionschain/gamma-exposure-graph)
* [GEX Weight Distribution](/optionschain/gex-weight-distribution)

| Label | Beginner read |
| - | - |
| Positive vs negative GEX | Calmer vs amplifying hedging backdrop (context only) |
| Put wall | Put-side concentration—often discussed like support |
| Call wall | Call-side concentration—often discussed like resistance |
| Max gamma | Sensitive “hotspots”—often more chop, not “set and forget” |

### Step D — Activity and pricing shape

* [Options Trend Graph](/optionschain/options-trend-graph) — where activity clustered
* [Price Direction Bias](/optionschain/price-direction-bias) — score and activity heatmap by strike and expiry

### Step E — Score (read correctly)

[What Does the Score Show?](/introduction/what-is-score):

* Score is a **composite** (IV, open interest (OI), gamma/GEX, volume, and more)—use it to **screen on BigDipperOptions first**
* Higher score ≈ **more engagement** at that strike vs other strikes on the symbol
* **Not** “high win rate”—after shortlisting here, confirm **IV / IV Rank and live quotes at your broker**
* Score is **experimental**—relative comparison only

### Step F — Optional: volatility context

When ready:

* [Volatility Indicators](/volatility/volatility-indicators)
* [Volatility Index](/volatility/volatility-index)

Use these to notice calm vs stressed environments—still not trade instructions.

### Step G — Write a one-paragraph summary

In your own words, for your chosen symbol:

* Spot vs recent range
* GEX sign (positive / negative / mixed)
* One put-wall and one call-wall level (or “flat structure”)
* One sentence on what the score highlights
* Reminder: **prices on charts are delayed**—confirm live underlying and option prices at your broker before any order

***

## 4. How this connects to the Wheel track

| Wheel track step | What you practiced here |
| - | - |
| **Selecting candidates** | Price history, liquidity, ownability context |
| **Execution** | Reject drill, checklist—use [Wheel Page Guide](/dashboard/wheel-page-guide) for UI when you get there |
| **Lifecycle** | Re-reading structure after assignment; **Covered Calls** table |

The Wheel track assumes you can **log in** and read the **Options Chain Report** without confusing platform labels for trade signals. The **Wheel page** is introduced in the execution step—use the [Wheel Page Guide](/dashboard/wheel-page-guide) beside the app when you reach it.

***

## 5. Troubleshooting

| Issue | What to try |
| - | - |
| Cannot log in | Reset password; check email; [Contact Us](/support/contact-us) |
| Chart looks empty | Confirm symbol is supported; try a liquid ticker; wait for refresh cycle |
| Numbers differ from broker | Expected—**chart prices** use a **15-minute delayed** stream; your broker shows live underlying and option quotes |
| Want to export data | Not supported—view and analyze on platform only ([FAQ](/faq/faq)) |

***

## Checkpoint

* [ ] I created an account or logged in successfully
* [ ] I toured the dashboard and found chain + GEX views for one symbol
* [ ] I can name one put wall and one call wall (or note if flat)
* [ ] I used score to screen on BigDipperOptions—then confirmed IV and live quotes at broker
* [ ] I wrote a one-paragraph summary for my practice symbol

**Next:** [Wheel track — Wheel Learning Series](/learn/wheel-complete-guide)


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