Change the Default DOM Stop Type in Tradovate
Need every stop you place on the SuperDOM to default to stop-market or stop-limit? Here's how to change the ladder's default stop type from the gear menu, plus which one to pick and why.
When you drop a stop on the SuperDOM ladder, Tradovate uses a default stop order type, out of the box, a stop-market. That's the right pick for most people, but if you scalp thin contracts or you'd rather cap slippage than guarantee a fill, you'll want your stops going in as stop-limits instead. Rather than switch the type on every order, set the ladder's default once from the gear menu. Here's how, plus a quick rundown of what each type does so you pick the right one.
Stop-Market vs. Stop-Limit: What You're Choosing Between
A stop order sits dormant until price touches your trigger, then it fires. The stop type decides what it fires into. That single choice is the difference between always getting out and getting a better price, so it's worth understanding before you set it as your default.
| Stop type | What it triggers | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Stop Market | A market order the instant your trigger price is hit. | Virtually guaranteed to fill, but in a fast spike you take whatever price liquidity gives you. |
| Stop Limit | A limit order at a second price you set once the trigger is hit. | Caps your worst fill, but price can run past your limit and leave the order unfilled. |
| Trailing Stop | A stop that follows price in your favor, then fires a market order when it reverses. | Locks in gains hands-free, with the same fill-guaranteed, slippage-exposed behavior as a stop-market. |
| Trailing Stop Limit | The same trailing behavior, but it fires a limit order instead of a market order. | Follows price and caps slippage, but carries the same no-fill risk as any stop-limit. |
Short version: a stop-market prioritizes getting out, a stop-limit prioritizes price. If your stop is there to protect the account, most traders leave the default on stop-market so a violent move can't strand them in a losing position.
How to Change the Default Stop Type: Step-by-Step
Open the SuperDOM for Your Contract
Open the SuperDOM module and load the contract you actually trade, ES, NQ, CL, whatever you're on. The price ladder needs to be on screen, because the stop-type default lives in that ladder's own settings, not in a global preferences panel.
Open the SuperDOM Settings from the Gear Icon
Look to the top-right corner of the SuperDOM and click the gear icon. That opens the settings menu for that specific ladder, where the order-entry defaults, quantity, stop type, and the rest, are configured. If you have several DOMs open, each one carries its own settings, so make sure you're on the ladder you mean to change.
Choose Your Default Stop Type
In the settings menu, find Stop Type and open it. You'll get the four options from the table above: Stop Market, Stop Limit, Trailing Stop, and Trailing Stop Limit. Pick the one you want as your default and it sticks, from now on, stops you place on this ladder go in as that type without you touching the order ticket each time. Wording shifts a little between platform updates, so if you don't see "Stop Type" spelled out exactly, look for the stop or order-type setting in the same menu.
Test It on the Ladder
Don't take it on faith, prove it. Stage a stop on the ladder (use the sim account if you're mid-session on a live one) and check the order ticket. It should read your chosen type. One caveat: a fresh DOM you open later may not inherit this setting, so glance at the stop type on any new ladder before you trade it. Two seconds of checking beats finding a stop-limit sat unfilled while price ran away.
Which Default Should You Use?
- Trading liquid index futures (ES, NQ) for protection? Stop-market is the safe default, you'll always be out.
- Scalping thinner or more volatile contracts? A stop-limit keeps a bad tick from filling you at a runaway price, as long as you accept the occasional missed fill.
- Want the exit to move with the trade? Set a trailing type so profit locks in without you dragging the line yourself.
- On a prop-firm evaluation? Firms differ on which order types and stop distances they allow, check your firm's current rules before you make stop-limit your default, since a no-fill can blow a drawdown limit.
Automate This with PickMyTrade
Picking a default is great until a signal fires while you're away from the desk. PickMyTrade routes your TradingView alerts straight into Tradovate and attaches the stop type, distance, and target you've defined, every entry lands with a stop already in place, no ladder clicks required.
Let Your Alerts Set the Stop
PickMyTrade attaches the stop type, distance, and target you've defined to every entry, so a stop is already in place even when you're away from the desk.
Start Your Free 5-Day TrialFrequently Asked Questions
Out of the box, stops you place on the SuperDOM go in as stop-market orders, they fire a market order at your trigger, so they're built to guarantee an exit.
The setting lives in each ladder's own gear menu, so a change applies to that DOM. If you open a new SuperDOM, confirm the stop type before trading it rather than assuming it carried over.
Use stop-market when getting out matters more than the exact price, which is most protective stops. Use stop-limit when you'd rather cap slippage and can live with a missed fill in a fast move.
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.