Gekko
A Node.js bitcoin technical-analysis trading and backtesting platform, now unmaintained.
- Stars
- 10.2k
- Forks
- 3.8k
- Licence
- MIT
- Language
- JavaScript
- Last update
- 6.7 years ago
- Type
- App
This repository is archived and no longer maintained.
What it is
Gekko is a bitcoin trading platform written in JavaScript that runs on Node.js. It connects to popular bitcoin exchanges and uses technical analysis to support both backtesting (testing a strategy on past data) and automated trading. The author has officially archived the repository and no longer maintains it.
- Backtest a technical-analysis trading strategy against past bitcoin price data
- Connect to a supported bitcoin exchange through the platform
- Read the JavaScript source to learn how a trading bot is built
Great for
- Developers who want to study how a Node.js trading bot is structured
- People who want to backtest technical-analysis strategies on historical bitcoin data
- Learners exploring algorithmic trading concepts, with the archived status in mind
Not ideal for
- Anyone wanting current support or bug fixes, since the author has stopped maintaining the repo; check forks instead
- People who want to trade real money without experience, because the README itself warns to use Gekko at your own risk
- Users who need a non-JavaScript stack or a hosted service, since the README describes it only as a Node.js program
How to get it
- 1
See the README
You'll need: Node.js
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/askmike/gekko.git - 2
Run it
- Read the archival notice and the project's documentation website before installing
- Follow the installation guide linked from the README (gekko.wizb.it docs)
- Configure a backtest on historical data before considering any live use
- Check the forum or forks if you need current support
- 3
Get the most out of it
- Use backtesting to evaluate strategies before any live trading, as the README's warning suggests
- Look at forks mentioned in the archival notice, since some may still be maintained
- Review the documentation site for configuration and strategy details not included in this README
Downloads
Strengths
- Open-source under the MIT license, so the code can be read, modified and reused
- Supports both backtesting and live trading in one platform, per the README
- Has a documentation website, a forum and a Discord community for help
Trade-offs
- Officially archived and unmaintained; the last push was in February 2020, so it may not work with current exchanges or Node.js versions
- The README does not give details on which exchanges or strategies are included, so this analysis is limited
- Trading bots carry financial risk, and the README explicitly says to use it at your own risk
How it compares
| Project | Stars | Type | Level | Updated | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| gekko (this) | 10.2k | App | advanced | 6.7 years ago | Developers who want to study how a Node.js trading bot is structured |
| ccxt | 44.7k | Library | intermediate | 4 days ago | Developers building trading bots or algorithmic trading software |
| Qbot | 18.8k | App | advanced | 8 months ago | Python users who want to research quantitative trading strategies |
| bitcoin | 90.6k | App | advanced | 4 days ago | People who want to verify Bitcoin transactions themselves rather than trust a third party |
| machine-learning-for-trading | 21.7k | Learning resource | intermediate | 8 days ago | Readers of the Machine Learning for Trading book who want to run its code |
Stats synced from GitHub. The assessment above was drafted with AI from the project's README on 2026-10-29 and may miss recent changes — check the README before relying on a command. MIT licence: free to use, modify and distribute, including commercially, as long as you keep the copyright notice.