This episode serves as a comprehensive guide for individuals interested in algorithmic trading, particularly independent or retail traders. It covers essential topics such as identifying suitable trading strategies, the critical process of backtesting (including common pitfalls like survivorship and data-snooping bias), and setting up the necessary business and physical infrastructure for an automated trading operation. The author also discusses the distinctions between retail and proprietary trading, emphasizing the benefits of simple models and effective risk management over overly complex approaches