Planar is a free, open-source crypto trading bot and framework written in Julia, made for traders who write or modify code and want more control than a point-and-click tool offers. It connects to exchanges through CCXT, a widely used library that presents many exchange APIs in a common format. Because the project is built to be extended, it suits developers who want their own trading logic rather than a preset strategy.
The key idea is that you can change almost any part of the bot without maintaining a private fork. When one exchange behaves unexpectedly, you write a targeted fix and leave the rest of the code alone. Planar is a good match for people comfortable with a programming language and less suited to anyone looking for a graphical dashboard out of the box. The latest release is Planar-v1.9.0, and the repository shows recent code activity.
What Planar Is and Who It Suits
Planar is a trading bot and a framework in one package. A bot runs rules that place orders on an exchange, and a framework gives you the building blocks to write those rules yourself. Planar leans toward the second role, so it is most useful when your idea does not match what off-the-shelf tools offer.
The typical reader is a developer or a technically confident trader who already writes some code. They may want to connect to an exchange with unusual behavior, test a custom order-handling approach, or keep trading logic in version control. For them, the open-source model matters because every part of the system can be inspected.
Planar is less natural for someone who wants to click through settings and start in five minutes. Expect to read documentation, edit configuration and occasionally write Julia. That trade-off is central to the project: more control in exchange for more responsibility for the code you run.
How Multiple Dispatch Works in Plain Terms
Many programming languages organize behavior around objects, so a method belongs to a class. Julia uses multiple dispatch instead: the version of a function that runs is chosen by the types of all its arguments. In practice, you can write a new version of a function for a specific situation and leave the general version untouched.
Imagine an exchange that reports partial fills in a slightly different field than other venues. A traditional approach might require forking the project and editing the parsing code. With dispatch, you define a narrow method for that single case, and the rest of the bot keeps using the standard path. Your change stays confined to the situation it was written for.
This also helps with maintenance. Custom methods remain separate from core code, so merging upstream updates is less painful. A reader can see exactly which behavior was overridden and why. The cost is that you need to understand the types your functions receive, so take time to learn Julia's type system before you start.
Practical Scenarios for a Julia Trading Bot
Planar fits several concrete situations. The examples below show how the framework can be used, without suggesting any particular return.
- A developer testing a small order-execution idea on one exchange, starting with Bitcoin (BTC) or USDT pairs.
- A team that keeps its trading rules in a repository and reviews changes like any other software.
- An operator running the bot in a Docker container on a server, with dependencies isolated from the desktop.
- A trader who has found that one exchange's API behaves oddly and wants a targeted fix without waiting for an upstream release.
Each scenario shares one thread: the user is willing to read code and check results carefully. Start small, log what the bot does, and compare its actions with what you expected before increasing any position size. Treat each experiment as a way to learn how the system behaves, not as a proven method.
Key features
Julia-Based Core
Customization Through Dispatch
Exchange Connectivity via CCXT
Framework, Not Just a Bot
Docker Deployment
Supported coins
The documentation mentions Bitcoin (BTC) and USDT as examples of assets Planar works with. Because exchange access runs through CCXT, the pairs you can trade depend on the exchange you connect to and how that exchange is configured. Check the exchange's own market list before building a strategy around a specific coin.
How to install Planar on Windows
- 1
Open the official source
Go to the project repository at github.com/psydyllic/Planar.jl and open the Releases page. Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, not from mirror sites or links shared in chats. The latest release is tagged Planar-v1.9.0.
- 2
Look for a Windows build
Review the release assets for a Windows package. The project describes Windows support as likely rather than guaranteed, so do not assume every release includes a ready-made Windows file.
- 3
Verify the file
If the release page publishes a SHA-256 checksum or a signature, compute the hash of your download with a standard tool such as PowerShell's Get-FileHash and compare it with the published value. Do not run the file if the values do not match.
-
Install or build
Unpack or run the package as the release notes describe. If you build from source instead, the project expects Julia 1.13 or newer. Docker is also listed as a supported platform if you prefer a containerized setup.
How to use Planar
Planar is configured through code and settings rather than a menu-driven wizard, so plan time for setup before any live trading.
- Read the project documentation for the exchange you plan to use, and confirm which pairs it covers.
- Create exchange API keys with only the permissions the bot needs, and avoid granting withdrawal rights.
- Store keys in a local configuration file or environment variables, never in code you share publicly.
- Start the bot in a test setup or with small amounts, and watch the logs for connection errors or unexpected order responses.
- When an exchange behaves differently from the documentation, write a targeted dispatch method rather than editing core files.
- Test each change separately before combining it with others.
- Check the Releases page regularly for newer versions and read the release notes before updating.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, so you can read and modify the code
- Julia dispatch allows targeted fixes for exchange quirks without maintaining a fork
- Uses CCXT for a common approach to many exchange APIs
- Works as a framework for custom trading logic, not only a fixed bot
- Docker is listed as a supported platform
- The repository shows recent code activity
- Meaningful customization requires Julia knowledge
- Windows support is described as likely rather than certain, so you need to check each release for a Windows build
- The documentation highlights only Bitcoin and USDT, so coverage must be verified for each exchange
- It is not a graphical, point-and-click product; setup involves configuration and code
- Trading bots carry financial risk, and no software can guarantee results
Is Planar safe?
Planar handles exchange API keys and places trades, so treat it with the same care as any software that touches your money. Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page, and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature when one is published before running anything. Never enter a seed phrase into a third-party website or a bot that requests it, since a trading bot should not need your wallet's seed phrase. Create exchange API keys without withdrawal permissions and restrict them by IP address where the exchange allows it. Review recent changes in the open-source repository when you can, and check the latest version on the official website before installing. Software cannot promise profits, so keep your exposure small while you learn.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/psydyllic/Planar.jl. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
Planar occupies a different niche from several programs in this catalog. OctoBot is built around a web interface, which suits people who want a dashboard, while Planar is a Julia codebase aimed at people who plan to edit it. Hummingbot focuses on market making and arbitrage, so its design goals differ from a general-purpose bot framework. Quantify combines a Python trading terminal with multi-strategy backtesting, a different emphasis from Planar's extensibility. Gekko is listed as an archived project, so treat it as a reference rather than a current choice. If you want to customize exchange behavior in code, Planar is the more direct fit; if you prefer a visual interface, start with OctoBot or Quantify.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- Planar-v1.9.0
- Last update
- 10 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Likely (builds for Windows; check releases)
- Source code
- github.com/psydyllic/Planar.jl
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Planar is free and open source, so there is no purchase price for the software itself. Exchange fees and any costs of running the bot on your own computer or server still apply.
Planar is described as likely to work on Windows, but this is not guaranteed. Check the Releases page for a Windows package first. If none is available, you can build from source, which expects Julia 1.13 or newer.
It can be, as long as you get it from the project's GitHub repository. Verify the published SHA-256 checksum or signature when one exists, and never enter a seed phrase on a third-party website. These habits prevent most common download risks.
The documentation mentions Bitcoin (BTC) and USDT. Because Planar reaches exchanges through CCXT, the pairs you can trade depend on the exchange you connect to, so check that exchange's market list before setting up a strategy.
Basic setup involves configuration, but getting real value from Planar usually means reading and writing Julia code. If you want a ready-made interface with buttons and dashboards, another tool may suit you better. Learning the basics of Julia's dispatch system is the most useful next step.
No. Planar is a tool for running and customizing trading logic and does not promise any return. Market conditions, fees and strategy choices all affect results, and losses are possible. Test with small amounts and treat the bot as an execution tool, not a source of income.
OctoBot is built around a web interface, while Planar is a Julia framework for developers who want to change how the bot behaves. Choose Planar if you plan to write code for exchange quirks or custom logic. Choose OctoBot if a dashboard matters more to you.
Verdict
Planar is a strong choice for developers and technically confident traders who want a free, open-source crypto trading bot they can reshape in code. Its use of Julia dispatch and CCXT gives it a clear identity: flexible, extensible and demanding of hands-on work. It is less suited to people who want a ready-made interface. Before committing, confirm a Windows build on the current release, test with small amounts and keep API permissions tight.