FAQ
Straight answers.
If your question isn’t here, the help centre goes deeper — or write to us.
The basics
What is BYP?
BYP (Build Your Pocket) is a research and market-monitoring workspace. It brings charts, technical indicators, alerts, your portfolio, a trade journal and an AI research assistant called Captain Umro together in one app, on Windows, Android and the web. It is software for your own research — not a broker and not an adviser.
Which platforms can I use?
Windows (from the Microsoft Store), Android (from Google Play) and the web at app.buildyourpocket.com. Windows is the complete workspace. Android covers research, charts, portfolio, journal and paper trading. The web app is for your account and workspace; market data, broker connections and AI keys need the Windows app. See the platform comparison.
Do I need an account?
Yes. You sign in with a BYP account on every platform. Creating one is free.
Can I buy BYP?
Not yet. Purchasing isn't open, so there is nothing to pay and no card is requested. When purchasing opens, the plans, prices, duration and terms will be published on the pricing page and shown to you in full before any charge.
Where does the market data come from?
From the sources you connect. On Windows you can add your own keys for providers such as Finnhub, Marketstack, Twelve Data, Polygon.io and FRED, connect a broker, and use several free keyless sources for crypto, currencies and macro data. Freshness depends on the source: every value is labelled Live, Delayed, Updating, Demo or Unavailable. With nothing connected you see clearly labelled demo data. More on the data and brokers page.
Can BYP place trades for me?
BYP never trades on its own. In the Windows app you can place US stock and ETF orders through your own Alpaca account, and you review and confirm every order before it is sent. Interactive Brokers, Tradier and OANDA connections are read-only, and live trading through Interactive Brokers is on hold. Android and the web app do not place broker orders.
Is Captain Umro giving me investment advice?
No. Captain Umro explains charts, indicators and your own data, and shows the sources it used. It does not tell you what to buy or sell and it cannot place orders. With no AI key connected it answers from deterministic rules; on Windows and Android you can connect your own AI provider key for fuller answers.
Where are my broker and data keys stored?
In the Windows app, keys are kept in the Windows Credential Manager on your PC and sent only to the provider they belong to. The web app does not accept broker keys.
Is my data private?
Your portfolio and journal live on your device. If you turn on encrypted sync on Windows, your data is encrypted on your device before upload and the server stores only ciphertext. Read the security and privacy overview and the Privacy Policy.
How do I get help?
Start with the help centre. For anything else, email support@buildyourpocket.com — the contact page lists every mailbox.
Details and limits
Is the screener a live market scan?
Not today. The screener on Windows and the web runs over a fixed sample universe and says so with a DEMO UNIVERSE badge. It is useful for learning the filters and the plain-English query box; it is not a live scan of the whole market.
How does order-book depth work in BYP?
On Windows the depth ladder in the terminal is simulated and labelled SIMULATED. On Android, crypto order-book depth comes from public exchange snapshots that refresh periodically; it is not a streaming feed.
Are backtests run on real prices?
On Windows, backtests use real daily history when you connect an Alpaca account. Without one, they run on a generated series that is labelled SIMULATED. No backtest result predicts future returns.
Does sync work between my phone and my PC?
Not yet. Encrypted sync is available in the Windows app. The Android app does not sync your workspace today, so treat each device as separate.
What happens when I sign out on Android?
From Android version 1.0.4, signing out removes that account's data from the phone (after a warning). Version 1.0.4 is on Google Play; update the app to get it.
Which AI providers can I use?
On Windows: Anthropic Claude, OpenAI, OpenRouter, Groq or Google Gemini with your own key, or a local model server (Ollama, LM Studio or llama.cpp) that you run yourself. On Android: Anthropic Claude with your own key. BYP is not the AI provider and does not include AI usage.
Can I delete my account?
Yes, from Settings in the app. Deleting your account removes it and its cloud data from BYP's servers. Data stored only on a device stays on that device until you remove it or uninstall the app.
Is BYP available on iPhone or macOS?
No. BYP is available for Windows, Android and the web.