THE STORY BEHIND HL TERMINAL
I’m Michael Knecht, an independent software developer from Germany. I’ve built software professionally since 1990. HL Terminal began as a personal project: the trading workspace I wanted to use myself.
How it beganTHE ORIGIN
Over the years I’ve worked across communications, social media, VoIP, video calling and e-commerce. Trading came later, as a hobby. The crypto market drew me in, and Hyperliquid opened up an especially compelling way to explore a growing range of markets.
Once I started trading there, I found myself wanting more from the interface: clearer market context, faster preparation and a closer connection between analysis and execution. So I began building my own terminal. What started as a tool for my own trading became HL Terminal.
HOW THE IDEA GREW
I spent a lot of time with Smart Money Concepts: liquidity, Order Blocks, Fair Value Gaps, order flow and premium and discount arrays. That work led to the native PTA indicator. Its purpose is to bring those ideas together on the chart so I can see the structure, inspect possible paths for price and form my own thesis.
Direct AI conversations were a start, but I wanted deeper analysis. HL Terminal connects chart and market context to AI in the app and through MCP, so assistants such as Codex can explore supported markets, compare scenarios and propose trade setups grounded in the data the terminal already has.
I wanted the Long or Short setup on my chart and the order ticket to be the same plan. Entry, stop loss and take profit can be adjusted visually or in the ticket, with changes reflected on both sides. A proposed AI setup can enter that same editable chart preview before I decide whether to place it.
WHERE IT STANDS TODAY
I’m developing HL Terminal around real use: understanding a chart, refining a plan and staying close to a setup. It is available in the browser and as a native beta for iPhone, iPad and Mac. The platform comparison explains the current features and requirements.
Every live order remains a personal decision. AI helps me research, prepare and monitor; I review and submit each order myself. Hyperliquid remains the source of truth for live orders and positions. SMC readings and AI proposals are analysis, not investment advice.
Practical walkthroughs, the chart guide and the Codex installation steps are collected in Learn.
I’m still building the terminal I want to trade with—and I’m glad to share the journey.
Michael Knecht
EXPLORE HL TERMINAL
Open the web app or try the native Apple beta. Start with the chart and build your own workflow.
