Connect Zerodha to AlgoCrab — Complete Setup Guide

Zerodha Kite API + AlgoCrab overview

Zerodha exposes trading through Kite Connect. AlgoCrab uses that API so your strategies can place orders in your Zerodha account — funds stay with Zerodha; AlgoCrab is the automation layer.

This English setup guide covers prerequisites, API key generation, AlgoCrab connect steps, verification, first strategy deploy, and common errors. For a Hinglish companion, see our older Zerodha post on the blog.

Prerequisites

An active Zerodha trading account.

Kite Connect app credentials (API key + API secret) from the Zerodha developer console. Kite Connect is a paid developer subscription from Zerodha — confirm current pricing on developers.kite.trade.

An AlgoCrab account (free to register).

Redirect URL configured exactly as AlgoCrab’s Zerodha connect screen specifies — mismatches are the #1 failure reason.

If your broker/API flow requires static IP for algo orders, complete AlgoCrab’s static IP / proxy setup before unattended live trading.

Step 1 — Generate Kite Connect API keys

Open the Zerodha developer console and create a new app.

Set app name, redirect URL (copy from AlgoCrab), and required permissions.

Save API key and API secret securely. Screenshot placeholder: [Screenshot: Kite developer app credentials screen].

Do not share secrets in chat support tickets or public repos.

Step 2 — Add Zerodha in AlgoCrab

Log in to AlgoCrab → Connect Broker → select Zerodha.

Enter API key, API secret, and User ID as prompted. Screenshot placeholder: [Screenshot: AlgoCrab Zerodha connect form].

Complete the Kite OAuth login redirect. AlgoCrab exchanges the request token for a session token behind the scenes.

On success, you should land back in AlgoCrab with Zerodha listed as connected.

Step 3 — Set permissions and verify the connection

Open Broker Panel and confirm funds / margins load.

Check that order book and positions views respond (empty is fine for a new day).

Optional test: place a far-from-market limit order for 1 quantity on a liquid symbol, then cancel it — confirms routing without taking unwanted fills.

Screenshot placeholder: [Screenshot: Broker panel funds after Zerodha connect].

Step 4 — Deploy your first strategy with Zerodha

Pick a simple built-in template (MA Cross or SuperTrend) on a liquid instrument.

Backtest first. Then start the algo with minimal quantity and clear stop / target rules.

Watch algo logs for signal → order → fill. Stop the strategy if rejects appear repeatedly.

You can also route TradingView alerts through AlgoCrab’s bridge tool into Zerodha once the broker link is healthy.

Common errors and fixes

OAuth / redirect mismatch: Re-copy the redirect URL character-for-character into the Kite app settings.

Invalid session / token expiry: Re-login via Connect Broker. Unattended algos need a reliable daily auth habit.

Order rejected — margins / product type: Check MIS vs CNC vs NRML and available margin in Broker Panel.

Static IP / SEBI order-origin errors: Configure the proxy/static IP fields AlgoCrab shows for your setup.

Wrong instrument token / symbol: Prefer symbols from AlgoCrab’s search so Zerodha instrument tokens map correctly.

FAQs

Q: Is this the same as Zerodha Streak? A: No. Streak is Zerodha-native. AlgoCrab is a multi-broker platform that also connects Zerodha.

Q: Do I need coding? A: Not for templates. AlgoCode / Pine-style scripting is optional.

Q: Where do platform fees apply? A: AlgoCrab uses a wallet model (documented per-entry platform fee). Brokerage is charged by Zerodha separately.

Disclaimer

Educational setup guide — not investment advice. Verify Zerodha’s latest API pricing and policies before you subscribe to Kite Connect.