Place One-Sends-Other (OSO) Orders in Tradovate
Sometimes you don't want an order live yet. You want it to sit quiet and wake up only after something else happens first, your entry fills, and only then does a second order go to work. That's a One-Sends-Other order.
Sometimes you don't want an order live yet. You want it to sit quiet and wake up only after something else happens first, your entry fills, and only then does a second order go to work. That's what a One-Sends-Other order does, and Tradovate lets you build one right on the SuperDOM ladder.
OSO stands for One-Sends-Other (you'll also see it called Order-Sends-Order). You place a primary order and attach a single dependent order to it. The dependent one stays parked and suspended until the primary fully fills, then Tradovate releases it into the market. The fill is the trigger; no watching the screen for it.
OSO vs. OCO vs. ATM, Don't Mix Them Up
These three get tangled together all the time, so here's the clean version:
| Order type | What it does |
|---|---|
| OSO (One-Sends-Other) | A filled primary order sends a dependent order. Sequential, the second one only exists after the first fills. |
| OCO (One-Cancels-Other) | Two live orders linked so that when one fills, the other is cancelled. Used for a stop and a target together. |
| ATM Strategy | A saved preset that drops a full stop-and-target bracket automatically the instant your entry fills. |
Lock this in: one-time OSO links one dependent order, not a whole bracket. Want a stop and a target on your entry? That's an ATM Strategy. OSO is for a single follow-on order, a scale-in, a fresh stop, a re-entry, that shouldn't exist until the first one is done.
How to Place a One-Time OSO on the SuperDOM
Heads up before you start: at the time of writing, one-time OSO lives in the SuperDOM module of the Tradovate Web App. If you're new to the ladder itself, get comfortable clicking in orders on the SuperDOM before you try chaining them.
Open the SuperDOM for Your Contract
Pull up the SuperDOM for the exact contract you're trading, right symbol, right expiry. Everything below happens on this ladder, so get it loaded and confirm the price is live before you arm anything.
Select "OSO One-Time" from the ATM Dropdown
Look at the bottom of the SuperDOM for the ATM dropdown. Open it and choose OSO One-Time. That arms the ladder, the next two orders you click in get linked as a One-Sends-Other pair instead of firing off independently. Nothing's submitted yet; you've just told Tradovate to connect what comes next.
Place Your Primary Order
Click the price level where you want your primary (trigger) order to work. On the ladder, a left-click stages a limit and a right-click stages a stop, pick whichever fits your entry. This first order is a normal working order and can fill as soon as the market reaches it.
Attach the Dependent Order
Now click the second price level, this is your dependent order, the one that should only go live after the primary fills. It shows up with a plus (+) marker next to the quantity. That plus means it's suspended: it will not be sent to the exchange until the primary order fully fills, even if price runs right through that level in the meantime. Order it however you need, a stop below your entry, a scale-in limit, whatever the plan calls for.
Confirm the Trigger and Re-Arm if Needed
Glance at the Orders panel. You should see the primary listed as working and the dependent sitting as suspended. When the primary fills, Tradovate releases the dependent into the market on its own. One catch worth remembering: OSO one-time only lasts for that single pair, you have to re-select OSO One-Time from the ATM dropdown before you set up the next one.
Gotchas Worth Knowing
- Place the two orders in sequence. Arm OSO One-Time, place the primary, then place the dependent. If you click somewhere else in the SuperDOM or the web app between the two, or wait too long, the OSO can quietly switch itself off, and you'll have to arm it again.
- Fill the primary before you attach the dependent and it can get rejected. If the trigger order has already filled by the time you click the dependent, there's nothing left to trigger it, so the dependent may be rejected. Set both up promptly.
- It's one dependent order, not a bracket. One-time OSO links a single follow-on order. Want a linked stop and target on your fill instead? Use an ATM Strategy, or attach a one-time OCO to the position after it opens.
- Prop-firm accounts have their own rules. Some firms require a stop on every position and cap your size or contract count. Those limits vary by firm and account size, check your firm's current rules before you build any workflow around them.
Automate This with PickMyTrade
Chaining orders by hand only works while you're watching the ladder. PickMyTrade routes your TradingView alerts straight into Tradovate and sends your entries and follow-on orders automatically, so the second leg lands the instant the first fills, whether you're at the screen or not.
Let the Second Leg Fire Itself
PickMyTrade routes your TradingView alerts straight into Tradovate and sends your entries and follow-on orders automatically, so the second leg lands the instant the first fills.
Start Your Free 5-Day TrialFrequently Asked Questions
OSO is sequential: a filled primary order sends a dependent order that didn't exist until the fill. OCO is two live orders linked so a fill on one cancels the other. OSO chains orders forward; OCO pairs a stop and a target.
The plus (+) marker means it's suspended. It won't be sent to the exchange until the primary fully fills, even if the market trades through that price first. When the primary fills, the plus clears and the dependent goes to work.
Yes. One-time OSO applies to a single pair, so re-select OSO One-Time from the ATM dropdown before setting up the next one.
This guide is for educational and informational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or trading advice. Trading futures and other leveraged products carries a substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for every investor. PickMyTrade is an independent third-party automation platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Tradovate, Inc. "Tradovate" and all related names, logos, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Platform features and steps change over time, so always confirm the current process in the official Tradovate platform and documentation before acting.