How long did you demo trade before going live?

Some traders spend a year on a demo account; others open a live account the same week. Both groups tend to have strong opinions about it.

If you've made the move, tell us:

1. How long you traded on demo, and roughly how many trades you placed
2. What you measured before deciding you were ready: win rate, drawdown, whether you followed your rules
3. What surprised you in your first month of live trading

The common experience is that fills, spreads and emotions all feel different once real money is involved. Our demo vs live guide covers the differences, but first-hand accounts are more useful than any guide. If you're still on demo, post the questions you're trying to answer before you switch.