Option Tracker
Trading
5 min read

Managing Trades

Learn how to log, track, and close your option trades with detailed step-by-step instructions.

Option Tracker makes it easy to log and manage all your options trades. This guide covers everything from entering new trades to closing positions.

Viewing Your Trades

Navigate to the Trades page to see all your option trades in one place.

Trades List

Trade List Features

  • Search - Find trades by ticker symbol
  • Filter by Status - Show All, Open, Closed, Expired, or Assigned trades
  • Filter by Type - View only Calls or Puts
  • Sort - Order by date, ticker, or other fields
  • Date Range - Filter trades within specific time periods

Trade Card Information

Each trade card displays:

  • Ticker & Company - Stock symbol and company name
  • Type Badge - BUY CALL, SELL PUT, etc.
  • Status - Current state of the trade
  • Strike Price - The option's exercise price
  • Expiration Date - When the option expires
  • Contracts - Number of contracts (each = 100 shares)
  • Premium - Price per share you paid/received
  • Total - Total premium (contracts × 100 × premium)
  • Current Value - Real-time option price
  • Unrealized P&L - Paper profit/loss on open trades

Creating a New Trade

Click the "+ New Trade" button to open the trade entry form.

New Trade Form

Step-by-Step: Entering a Trade

  1. Ticker Symbol - Start typing to search for a stock or ETF. Select from the dropdown.

  2. Option Type - Choose between:

    • Call - Right to buy the stock
    • Put - Right to sell the stock

  3. Action - Select your trade direction:

    • Buy (Long) - Purchasing the option contract
    • Sell (Short/Write) - Selling/writing the option contract

  4. Strike Price - Enter the option's strike price

  5. Expiration Date - Select when the option expires

  6. Number of Contracts - How many contracts (remember: 1 contract = 100 shares)

  7. Premium per Share - The price per share, NOT per contract

    Example: If you paid $2.50 per contract, enter 2.50

  8. Fees (Optional) - Broker commissions and fees

  9. Notes (Optional) - Add context about your trade strategy, rationale, or any other notes

  10. Click "Create Trade" to save

Understanding Buy vs. Sell

| Action | You Pay/Receive | Risk | Profit Potential | |--------|-----------------|------|------------------| | Buy Call | Pay premium | Limited to premium | Unlimited | | Sell Call | Receive premium | Unlimited (unless covered) | Limited to premium | | Buy Put | Pay premium | Limited to premium | Large (stock to $0) | | Sell Put | Receive premium | Large (assigned at strike) | Limited to premium |

Managing Open Trades

Viewing Trade Details

Click on any trade card to see full details and available actions.

Available Actions

From the trade menu (three dots), you can:

  • Update Price - Refresh the current market price
  • Close Trade - Record closing the position
  • Mark as Expired - For options that expired worthless
  • Mark as Assigned - Convert to stock position (for sold options)
  • Delete - Remove the trade record

Closing a Trade

When you close an option position, you need to record the closing details:

  1. Click the trade menu and select "Close Trade"
  2. Enter the Closing Price per Share - What you paid/received to close
  3. Enter any Closing Fees
  4. Click "Close Trade"

The system automatically calculates your realized P&L:

For Buy positions:

P&L = (Closing Price - Opening Price) × Contracts × 100 - Fees

For Sell positions:

P&L = (Opening Price - Closing Price) × Contracts × 100 - Fees

Handling Expiration

Expired Worthless

If your option expires worthless:

  1. Click the trade menu
  2. Select "Mark as Expired"
  3. The trade is closed with:
    • Sold options: Full premium kept as profit
    • Bought options: Full premium lost

Assigned (In-the-Money)

If your sold option is assigned:

  1. Click the trade menu
  2. Select "Mark as Assigned"
  3. A new stock position is automatically created

For Sold Puts: You'll receive shares at the strike price For Sold Calls: Your shares are sold at the strike price

Tips for Trade Management

  1. Log trades immediately - Enter trades right after execution for accuracy
  2. Use notes - Document your strategy and reasoning for future reference
  3. Include all fees - Don't forget commissions for accurate P&L
  4. Review regularly - Check open positions for expiring trades
  5. Track your strategy - Use consistent naming in notes to analyze what works

Trade Statuses Explained

| Status | Meaning | |--------|---------| | OPEN | Active position, not yet closed | | CLOSED | Position closed before expiration | | EXPIRED | Option expired (worthless or exercised) | | ASSIGNED | Sold option was exercised, converted to stock |

Next Steps