l have posted my suggestions months ago on the IB suggestions forum, got several votes, but IB developers are doing nothing to improve speed of inputting option orders to catch up with top option brokers like TastyWorks. 1a. For combo orders using 'strategy builder' seems to be fastest way. They only allow you to enter the number of legs by taking 7 delaying steps, 1.moving cursor to the leg you want to buy and sell, 2. click ask or bid, 3. move cursor to 'ratio' box, 4. click it, 5. delete default '1' and 6. enter your figure then 7. press enter, this could be just 2 steps, by moving cursor to the leg you want to buy / sell, then, click for the quantity you want to buy or sell. Can even right click to reduce ratio. please see attachment 1b. when we click on bid or ask to sell or buy a leg in strategy builder, why cant we adjust it simply like TastyWorks? by moving the strike up or down or even to flip over to other side with the cursor. you might think you can do that, but no, its a world of difference, with TW strikes can be moved immediately and precisely, whereas with IB, it takes ~12secs to move and it might move to the wrong strike embarrassing, as l was showing my friend who also wants to start trading options. he couldn't believe l was still sticking with IB. 1c. why does strategy builder not allow us to add more columns eg to show price of the leg, its delta? 1d. performance profile should show not only the pop but varying pop's, eg user can adjust it to probability of profit 30%, and it should calculate an approximate figure. eg if pop is 70% the pop35 might be 40% for eg. 1e. strategy builder should have an undo, redo or copy last strategies function 2a. when using the List view for the option chain why do we have to scroll all the way up to see the expiration month, should be always indicated which month you're in. yes tab view, only shows you 4 tabs, most of the time the weeklies are not required, so we should be able to deselect those tabs and have monthlies instead / what the user requires. 2b. why doesn't the option chain show you the approximate expected movement of underlying in that expiry month? just the expiration chains IV is shown. its good to see IB has IVR now, though it must use a different calculation for the same no. of days, as figures can be quite different from TW and yes l realise TastyWorks has those features above, which is why l will move not just a small portion of account to them but my whole account to them if IB just stays stagnant. it is falling too far behind. execution quality are both decent. please see attachment opinions? does anyone else have suggestions?
Feel free to add a #3 to the list ... the ability to use entry algos for option combo orders. This is especially critical for trading multiple combos at a time as a kind of "synthetic", with all individual combo orders either in or out. https://www.elitetrader.com/et/threads/ib-algo-for-option-combos.337740/#post-4961129
I have used IB's TWS for a dozen years or more, and barely recognize your method. I would never tolerate the tortured procedure you use. I would suggest (again) that you watch a few IB webinars on the overall interface, and on option trading in particular, as the various methods used to (each) be demonstrated. (I hope it's still true! ) If not, I would be happy to fly out to your locale, and demonstrate live for you. All I ask is for plane fare, meals&lodging at the local Michelin 2-star, transport, and an up-front $10,000 speaking fee. If needed (or, if the weather is right), I'll stay an extra week for lodging/meals cost only.
Not gonna process everything in your post but simply ask why you're using TWS class and not. The newer updated Mosaic one and the options tools in there which are more polished? Perhaps some of your issues are addressed there by simply using the modern UI
The fields in strategy builder are so small that you have to press transmit to actually see the order and then modify it.
I agree with this. Why are you using the old (outdated?) user interface and not the Mosaic user interface?
I started using TWS when there was no mosaic. continue to use classic as it has almost same functionality for my usage. mosaic looks more modern, but has the same problems that can easily be fixed by IB developers. eg in the popular strategy builder: 1. if you want to adjust the number of legs, there is not even a drop down menu, you have to delete the default '1' enter your quantity, press enter. the same series of steps when it could be significantly reduced, dramatically increasing the input of the order, by reducing it to just 2 steps, by moving cursor to the leg you want to buy / sell, then, click for the quantity you want to buy or sell. Can even right click to reduce ratio. in addition to having drop down menu for quantity. 2. redo, undo / copy last strategies, should be present. 3. the profile window often gets in the way and when you click on 'show in permanent window' so can move it out the way but its details stay fixed as legs are added or removed. it has to be closed and reopened again to see changes. nice to see the mosaic strategy builder does have the delta, theta and prices for the legs but this is only one improvement (and lesser priority)
Strategy builder in option trader has been updated in the latest build but the price cannot be seen still. If they made this bigger then you could see the price after you have selected it and before you transmit the order.
changing quantity per leg should be click easy and faster. not even a redo and undo button, for option trades, just check TastyWorks for speed and ease of use. its good, IB have incorporated use of IVR, but why not make input of option orders with strategy builder double the speed and ease? developers resting on their laurels? if so thats dangerous, as know option traders who have moved to TW and planning to.