Terminology
API Keys
API Keys consist of a client ID (clientId) and a consumer key (consumerKey).
Aliases: app credentials, integration credentials
Learn more: Getting Started: API Keys, FAQ: API Keys
Client ID
The public key for your SnapTrade API key. In direct API requests, it is sent as the clientId query parameter.
Consumer Key
The secret key for your SnapTrade API key. Use the consumer key when generating request signatures or validating webhook signatures. Aliases: client secret
SnapTrade User
A user record under your API key that represents one of your end users and authorizes access to that user's SnapTrade data. Aliases: connected user record, SnapTrade profile
Learn more: Getting Started: Users, FAQ: Users
Institution
The financial provider a user connects through SnapTrade, such as a broker or exchange. Aliases: broker, brokerage, provider, integration
Learn more: Brokerage Integrations
Connection
An authorized link between a SnapTrade user and one brokerage login that grants data access and optionally trading access. Aliases: brokerage authorization, linked brokerage, authorization
Learn more: Connections, Getting Started: Connections
Connection Portal
The hosted SnapTrade UI flow your user completes to create, repair, or upgrade a connection. Aliases: connect flow, linking flow, auth portal
Learn more: Connection Portal
Disabled Connection
A connection state where brokerage authorization is invalid so fresh data and trading actions are blocked until repaired. Aliases: broken connection, disconnected connection
Learn more: Fix Disabled Connections
Reconnect
A re-authorization flow that repairs an existing disabled connection by sending the user through the Connection Portal again. Aliases: repair flow, re-authorize connection
Learn more: Fix Disabled Connections
Account
A specific brokerage account under a connection that SnapTrade exposes for balances, holdings, activity, and trading. Aliases: portfolio account, trading account, brokerage account
Learn more: Getting Started: Accounts, Account Data
Balance
Cash and buying-power values reported for an account. Aliases: cash balance, account cash
Learn more: Account Data: Balances
Position
A holding of a specific asset in an account, typically represented by quantity and market value. Aliases: holding, asset position
Learn more: Account Data: Positions
Order
A brokerage instruction to buy or sell an instrument, including open, filled, canceled, and rejected states. Aliases: trade order, instruction
Learn more: Account Data: Orders
Transaction
A brokerage-reported account event that records cash or position movement, such as buys, sells, dividends, fees, deposits, or withdrawals. Aliases: activity, account activity, ledger entry
Learn more: Account Data: Activities
Periodic Sync
The process where SnapTrade updates account data from the connected brokerage. Aliases: data refresh, update cycle, sync
Learn more: Syncing and Data Freshness
Manual Refresh
An explicit API-triggered sync request for a connection outside the periodic sync schedule. Aliases: forced sync, on-demand refresh
Learn more: Syncing and Data Freshness
MCP Server
SnapTrade's hosted Model Context Protocol server that lets AI assistants securely read a user's connected brokerage data. Aliases: AI connector, Claude connector, ChatGPT app
Learn more: SnapTrade MCP Server