> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.alphayou.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Risk controls

> What protects you, what can stop a copy, and what still carries risk.

Copying a trader inherits their risk. These controls can reduce some risks. They cannot prevent losses.

## Your funds stay in your wallet

A copy runs through a separate **trade-only key**. It can place and manage trades. It cannot withdraw or send funds. The key lasts 90 days. See [Security and custody](https://docs.alphayou.net/security.md) for how it is protected, renewed and removed.

The app shows the key's status on your account:

| Status | What it means | What to do |
| - | - | - |
| **Expiring soon** | The key expires within 7 days | Regenerate it |
| **Expired** | The key has expired | Re-approve it. The app says "Renew it to start copying again" |
| **Action needed** | Something is stopping trades, such as revoked access or a signing error | Open the account for the reason |

Keys on accounts you have delegated renew automatically. On other accounts, or if a renewal fails, the app shows **Expiring soon** and you renew it yourself.

**If a key is about to expire and has not been renewed, AlphaYou closes the copy's positions about 24 hours before it expires.** This stops a position being left open that nobody can close. After a key expires, AlphaYou can no longer place or close trades, so renew it to start copying again.

## Targets you set

**Close at profit** and **Close at loss** are measured on the copy's own equity. **Max account loss**, which you set in **Edit**, closes the copy when your loss on it reaches the limit you choose. Deposits and withdrawals do not trigger them. AlphaYou checks your targets and limit about every 20 seconds. When one is passed, the copy closes at market. The price is not guaranteed, and your loss can end up larger than the level you set. The copy shows "Your profit or loss target was hit".

## If a position is liquidated

If AlphaYou detects that a copied position was liquidated, it tries to stop the copy and close the rest. This can be delayed or missed. See [Liquidations and funding](https://docs.alphayou.net/liquidations-and-funding.md).

## Safety controls we run

AlphaYou may pause or close a copy without notice if a safety control triggers, or if Hyperliquid or our providers have an outage. This is in the approval you sign and in the [Terms](https://app.alphayou.net/terms).

## Choosing traders

Only traders who clear the shortlist bar appear on the Copy feed. See [How we shortlist traders](https://docs.alphayou.net/how-we-shortlist-traders.md). You can copy other traders too, after a warning. The shortlist is a filter, not advice or a safety rating. A trader who later drops off the list does not stop a copy that is already running. You decide when to stop.

## What still carries risk

* Markets move fast, and leverage cuts both ways.
* A copied trade can fill later or at a different price than the trader's.
* Hyperliquid or a provider can have an outage.
* A trader's past record does not predict their next trade.

Never copy with money you cannot afford to lose.


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