alpha-skills helps you explore factor research for stock data with an AI coding assistant. It is built for people who want to test ideas, compare results, and review signals without setting up a complex research stack.
Use it to work with:
- Factor ideas for stock research
- Backtests for simple trading rules
- China stock market data workflows
- AI-assisted coding in tools like Cursor and Windsurf
- Quant research tasks with a clear, guided flow
You need:
- A Windows computer
- Internet access
- Enough free space to download the app and data files
- A recent version of Windows 10 or Windows 11
For the best setup, keep your browser open so you can return to the release page if you need another file.
Visit this page to download the latest release:
On the release page:
- Open the newest release
- Download the Windows file
- Wait for the file to finish
- Open the file from your Downloads folder
- If Windows asks for permission, choose Run or Yes
If the release comes as a ZIP file:
- Right-click the ZIP file
- Choose Extract All
- Open the extracted folder
- Run the app file inside the folder
If the release comes as an EXE file:
- Double-click the EXE file
- Follow the setup window
- Finish the install
- Open the app from the Start menu or desktop shortcut
When you open alpha-skills for the first time:
- Let the app finish loading
- Wait for any setup prompts
- Choose your data folder if the app asks for one
- Sign in to your AI coding tool if needed
- Open the main screen and review the sample workspace
If you see a blank screen at first, give the app a few moments to load local data and index the project files.
To get started fast, prepare these items:
- A folder for your research files
- A text editor or AI coding assistant
- A stock data source, if your workflow uses one
- A clear name for each factor test
Recommended folder layout:
alpha-skillsdataresearchresultsnotes
This layout keeps your files in one place and makes it easier to review past tests.
alpha-skills supports a simple research flow:
Try out ideas such as:
- Value
- Momentum
- Quality
- Volatility
- Reversal
- Size
You can compare each factor across time and review how it behaves in different market conditions.
Use backtests to check how a rule would have worked in the past. This helps you see:
- Return shape
- Drawdown
- Win rate
- Holding period impact
- Turnover
The app fits well with AI coding assistants. You can ask your assistant to:
- Write research scripts
- Clean data
- Build charts
- Explain results
- Fix simple code issues
If your research uses China stock data, the app can fit that workflow too. You can organize:
- Ticker lists
- Market filters
- Industry groups
- Rebalance dates
- Daily or monthly bars
A simple way to use the app:
- Pick one factor idea
- Choose a market and stock set
- Decide the test period
- Set basic rules for entry and exit
- Run the backtest
- Review the results
- Adjust one thing at a time
- Save the version that works best
This keeps your research clear and helps you avoid mixing too many changes in one test.
Depending on the release, you may see files like:
alpha-skills.exealpha-skills.zipdataexamplesconfigresults
If the package includes sample files, use them as a guide for your own research setup.
People use alpha-skills for:
- Factor screening
- Simple stock signal testing
- Research with AI coding tools
- Learning basic quant workflows
- Comparing one stock rule against another
- Reviewing China market ideas
When a new version is available:
- Return to the release page
- Download the newest build
- Remove or keep the older folder, based on your preference
- Open the new version
- Reuse your data files if they are stored outside the app folder
Keeping your research files in a separate folder helps you update without losing work.
If the app does not start:
- Check that the download finished
- Make sure the file is not still in a ZIP folder
- Try opening it again as an administrator
- Check whether Windows blocked the file
- Download the latest release again
If the app opens but looks empty:
- Confirm that your data folder has files
- Check your file paths
- Open the sample project if one is included
- Restart the app
If you use Cursor or Windsurf, a good prompt pattern is:
- Load the project folder
- Find the research entry point
- Explain the file structure
- Add a factor test for one signal
- Keep the code simple
- Show the output in a clean table
This works best when you ask for one task at a time.
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