> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://helpdesk.telegramfxcopier.io/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# 6. Connecting a Broker Account

You need to connect a broker account before you can deploy a strategy to live trading. EdgeLab connects to brokers via **MetaAPI** — the same integration used by TelegramFX Copier.  You can see the process for creating an account in MetaAPI [here](https://helpdesk.telegramfxcopier.io/en/article/step-1-how-to-set-up-metaapi-api-connection-1enjqyw/) and connecting one [here](https://helpdesk.telegramfxcopier.io/en/article/step-3-connect-metaapi-to-the-copier-1rqb7b3/).

You do not need a broker connection to use the research or backtesting features.
### What you will need
* A MetaAPI account (runs about $10/mo)
* Your MetaAPI API token
* Your MetaAPI account ID for the MT4 or MT5 account you want to trade on
### Step-by-step
1. Open EdgeLab and click **Account** in the top navigation
2. In the **Connect Broker Account** card, fill in the following:
    * **Label** — A name you choose to identify this account (e.g. "IC Markets Live" or "Pepperstone Demo")
    * **MetaAPI Token** — Found in your MetaAPI dashboard under API Tokens
    * **Account ID** — The account ID from your MetaAPI terminal list
3. Click **Save Broker Account**
4. Your account will appear in the **Connected Brokers** list below
### Testing a connection
After saving, click the **Test** button next to your broker account. EdgeLab will attempt to connect and will report back with your current account balance if successful, or an error message if the connection failed.
### Managing connected accounts
You can connect multiple broker accounts — for example, a demo account and a live account. When you deploy a strategy, you will choose which account to use at that point.
To remove an account, click **Remove** next to it in the Connected Brokers list. Removing an account does not stop any strategies that are currently deployed to it — stop those first from the Strategies view.
### Using a demo account first
We strongly recommend connecting a demo account first and deploying strategies there before going live.  You will find that many successful  strategies fall apart in real trading, this is common. MetaAPI supports demo accounts from most major brokers. This lets you confirm that the strategy executes correctly and that symbol mapping and lot sizing behave as expected before real funds are involved.