Qc Backtest Runner

• User explicitly asks to run QuantConnect backtest
• After strategy modifications when validation is needed
• When comparing strategy performance

Prerequisites

1. LEAN CLI installed:

   pip install lean
   lean login
   

2. Environment variables in .env:

   QC_PROJECT_NAME="Your Project Name"
   

3. GitHub repo configured:

   • Repo: [email protected]:vinamra2013/QuantConnectAlgoTradingStratigies.git
   • Strategy files in strategies/ directory

Parameters

Required

• None (uses defaults from .env)

Optional

• --project: QuantConnect project name (default: from QC_PROJECT_NAME env var)
• --commit: Commit and push to GitHub before backtest
• --commit-message: Custom git commit message
• --open: Open results in browser after starting backtest
• --wait: Wait for backtest to complete (polls every 10s)
• --save: Download and save results locally to results/qc/
• --timeout: Wait timeout in seconds (default: 300)
• --no-push: Skip pushing to QC cloud (use existing code)

How to Use This Skill

The skill includes a bundled script scripts/qc_cloud_backtest.py that automates the entire backtest workflow.

Quick Backtest (Start Only)

Execute the bundled script to start a backtest and open results in browser:

venv/bin/python  .claude/skills/qc-backtest-runner/scripts/qc_cloud_backtest.py --open

Full Workflow (Wait for Results)

Execute with wait and save flags to retrieve complete results:

venv/bin/python  .claude/skills/qc-backtest-runner/scripts/qc_cloud_backtest.py --wait --save

With Git Commit

Commit and push changes before running backtest:

venv/bin/python  .claude/skills/qc-backtest-runner/scripts/qc_cloud_backtest.py --commit --wait --save

Custom Project

Specify a different QuantConnect project:

venv/bin/python .claude/skills/qc-backtest-runner/scripts/qc_cloud_backtest.py --project "My Custom Strategy" --open

Output

Immediate Feedback

• ✓ LEAN CLI version
• ✓ Project name confirmation
• ✓ Git push status (if --commit)
• ✓ Cloud push status
• ✓ Backtest started confirmation

When Using --wait --save

============================================================
BACKTEST RESULTS
============================================================
Total Return        : 392.23%
Sharpe Ratio        : 0.829
Total Orders        : 2
Win Rate            : 0%
Loss Rate           : 0%
Average Win         : 0%
Average Loss        : 0%
Max Drawdown        : 59.000%
Sortino Ratio       : 0.856
Net Profit          : $3922.28
Annual Return       : 37.501%
============================================================

Result Files

• JSON results saved to: results/qc/backtest_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS.json

Error Handling

LEAN CLI not installed:

Error: LEAN CLI not installed
Install with: pip install lean
Then login with: lean login

Missing credentials:

Error: QC_PROJECT_NAME not set in .env
Add to .env file:
QC_PROJECT_NAME="Your Project Name"

Backtest timeout:

⚠ Backtest timed out after 300 seconds
Check status at: https://www.quantconnect.com/terminal

Integration with Claude Code

Auto-Activation Patterns

Automatically activate this skill when detecting:

• File changes in strategies/*.py or lean_projects/*/main.py
• Keywords: "backtest", "quantconnect", "test strategy", "qc cloud", "lean backtest"
• Strategy modification followed by validation requests
• Performance testing requests

Workflow Integration

1. Strategy Development:

   • Detect strategy file modifications
   • Execute bundled script with appropriate flags
   • Parse and present performance metrics

2. Result Analysis:

   • Use --wait --save flags to retrieve complete results
   • Parse JSON output for key metrics
   • Provide analysis and recommendations

3. Iterative Testing:

   • Modify strategy parameters
   • Commit changes if requested
   • Execute backtest and compare results

Success Criteria

Backtest Started: Exit code 0, "Backtest started" message Backtest Completed: Results JSON downloaded, metrics displayed Git Integration: Changes committed and pushed successfully Error Handling: Clear error messages with actionable steps

Related Skills

• data-manager: Download historical data before backtesting
• backtest-runner: Run local Backtrader backtests
• parameter-optimizer: Optimize strategy parameters before cloud testing

Notes

• GitHub Sync: If GitHub integration is enabled in QuantConnect, changes pushed to [email protected]:vinamra2013/QuantConnectAlgoTradingStratigies.git will auto-sync to QuantConnect within 1-2 minutes
• Rate Limits: QuantConnect Research Seat allows unlimited backtests
• Execution Time: Typical backtest (5 years daily data) completes in 30-90 seconds
• Cost: $27/month Research Seat (unlimited backtests)

Troubleshooting

Issue: "Project not found"

Solution: Check QC_PROJECT_NAME matches exact project name in QuantConnect terminal

Issue: "Authentication failed"

Solution: Run lean login and re-enter credentials from https://www.quantconnect.com/account

Issue: "Results not found"

Solution: Backtest may still be running. Increase --timeout or check web UI manually

Issue: Git push fails

Solution: Ensure SSH key is configured for [email protected]:vinamra2013/QuantConnectAlgoTradingStratigies.git