# Learning the Interface
**Level: Standard** • About 15 minutes • Previous: [Core Concepts](./core_concepts.md.html) • Next: [Features Overview](./features_overview.md.html)
How to move around SOAP2 efficiently: the toolstrips, a first hands-on pass, strike intervals, shortcuts, several monitors, and shutting down cleanly.
> **Videos:** [Initial walk-through](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2MDUT2mSkA) (2:28) · [SOAP2 settings](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFeTdHZfTeI) (0:31) · [Sending an order through](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4UQSKk29BI) (1:11) · [Outside RTH](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLoinJ46io8) (0:15) · [All videos](./videos.md.html)
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## Guided tutorials, in order
1. [Initial Walk-Through](./initial_walkthrough.md.html): your first trade, with screenshots (SPX Put Broken Wing Butterfly).
2. [Using the Top Toolstrip](./toolstrip_tutorial.md.html)
3. [Status Bar](./bottomtoolstrip_tutorial.md.html)
4. [OptionsChain (OA Window) Guide](./optionschain_overview.md.html)
5. [OA Toolstrip](./optionschain_toolstrip_tutorial.md.html)
6. [Commit Window (Order Preparation)](./commit_overview.md.html)
7. [Settings Menu](./settings_tutorial.md.html)
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## Quick start (example)
1. Pick `SPY` (default)
2. Pick **Demo Account** (default)
3. Open an OA (Shift+Click Show Selected OA, or select an existing OA)
4. Pick an expiry → **Confirm Expiry** (or press **Enter**)
## Changing strike intervals
- Show/hide strike interval panel: **Alt+Down** / **Alt+Up**
- Toggle minimum strike interval filter: **Ctrl+Down**
## Navigating SOAP
- There are toolbars and keyboard shortcuts for most actions.
- Tooltips show shortcut hints (hover over buttons to see them).
- Most forms have an **Exit** button to return to the higher-level window. Pressing Esc also works in most cases.
## Keyboard shortcuts
Shortcuts are shown in tooltips and documented in [Keyboard Shortcuts](./keyboard_shortcuts.md.html).
Tip: press **F12** to show an in-app shortcuts window (no browser needed).
## Multi-display support
[Using SOAP on multiple displays](./multi_monitor_quick_reference.md.html)
## Settings
All SOAP2 settings are under the **Wheel** icon (except for IB connection settings).
- [Settings Menu](./settings_tutorial.md.html)
- [Symbol Settings](./symbolsettings.md.html)
## Closing SOAP2
Recommended shutdown sequence:
1. Disconnect IB (IB red circle button)
2. Exit SOAP2 (same button to first close OAs then shut down)
This helps ensure data is saved properly and OA windows close cleanly.
Offline mode is possible, but not recommended without an initial successful IB connection (some features rely on initial sync).
NB: clicking the bottom-left IB button will attempt to reconnect, not disconnect. To disconnect, use the top toolbar IB button.