The core difference between AI grid and manual grid is not about "which is smarter", but about the basis of decisions and sources of risk. AI grid relies on statistical advantages from historical data backtesting, while manual grid depends on your judgment of current market conditions. Neither is absolutely superior; they suit different scenarios and carry different risks.
Prerequisites
Logged into OKX account, go to [Trade] → [Strategy Trading].
Select the trading pair you intend to use (spot or futures).
Have a clear budget for the investment.
Where to Find and How to Choose
OKX strategy trading supports both AI recommendation and manual creation modes, located in the same place.
Spot grid: App [Trade] → [Strategies] → [Spot Grid]. For futures grid, similarly choose [Futures Grid].
The creation page offers two options:
AI Strategy: The system auto-recommends price range and grid count based on the last 7 days' market backtest.
Manual Create: You fill in all parameters yourself; the system only executes, no recommendations.
Parameter Differences: What AI Does, What You Do Manually
| Parameter | AI Grid | Manual Grid |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range | System backtest recommendation | Judge based on technical analysis |
| Grid Count | System recommended (usually 10-50 grids) | Self-defined; more grids mean denser trading |
| Grid Mode | Usually arithmetic | Optional: arithmetic or geometric |
| Direction | Spot: long only; Futures: long/short/neutral | Same as AI, but can be freely switched |
| Investment Amount | Self-defined | Self-defined |
The essence of OKX's AI strategy is "using historical data backtesting to find statistically dominant parameter combinations". Backtest evaluations of six major AI models showed significant performance divergence: the highest return model approached 10.23%, and the highest Sharpe ratio model approached 379%.
Common failure reasons: Some assume an AI grid "makes money automatically" and leave it unattended. In reality, AI only "recommends parameters"; after the strategy runs, the buy/sell logic is exactly the same as a manual grid—pending orders waiting to be filled, not AI making real-time trading decisions. Moreover, AI recommendations are based on the past 7-day backtest; if market rhythm shifts, the recommended parameters may become completely ineffective.
Risk Comparison: AI Grid Is Not Necessarily Safer
Hidden risks of AI grid:
Backtest parameters rely on historical data; they fail immediately when the market structure changes abruptly. A backtest model from a past cycle may be completely inapplicable to a new market environment.
Under the same conditions, the model with the highest backtest return also incurred the largest drawdown (around 5.32%). The AI recommendation itself does not control risk for you.
Hidden risks of manual grid:
Setting the range too narrow means trading stops as soon as the price breaks out. If the trend continues strongly in one direction, held positions will face floating losses or even liquidation risk.
Setting too many grids can cause fees and slippage to eat up profits. High-frequency, small-profit strategies actually ranked lowest in backtest returns (around 5.91%) due to transaction cost erosion.
Which to Choose: Quick Reference Table
| Your Situation | Recommendation | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| First time using grid, no idea how to set parameters | AI Grid | Let the system recommend first, skip parameter confusion; run a few rounds then learn manual adjustments |
| Clear judgment on the range, able to draw support/resistance levels | Manual Grid | Your judgment fits the current market better than backtesting |
| Want to set and forget | Neither suitable | Grid requires monitoring; when price breaks the range, manual stop or adjustment is needed |
| New to futures, afraid of liquidation | AI Grid + Low Leverage | AI recommendation typically offers a reasonable range; use low leverage (e.g., 2-5x) to control risk |
Risk reminder: After grid creation, funds are segregated from the trading account for independent use. If the price continuously falls below the lowest grid price, the strategy stops placing orders, but the spot you have already bought will incur floating losses. Whether AI or manual, the loss logic is identical when the price breaks below the grid bottom. Moreover, OKX futures grid supports up to 100x leverage, but the higher the leverage, the closer the liquidation price. AI recommendations may not suit your risk tolerance; manual review is required.
Verification After Setup
After creation, check on the [Strategies] → [Spot Grid/Futures Grid] page:
Is the current running status "Running"
Is the current price within the set range
For futures grids, additionally check "Estimated Liquidation Price" to confirm a safe distance from the current price
If all three items are normal, the strategy has started correctly. Next step: set a stop-loss price to prevent large losses if the price breaks out of the range. Verification channel: OKX App [Strategies] page.
