diff --git a/lib/auto-trade.ts b/lib/auto-trade.ts
index d4e13bc..c963958 100644
--- a/lib/auto-trade.ts
+++ b/lib/auto-trade.ts
@@ -48,9 +48,28 @@ function mapFirmConfig(firm: FirmWithAccounts): FirmConfig {
 
 
 
+// ── helpers ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+/** Returns true during the 3:00 PM – 4:59 PM Central no-trade window. */
+function isInNoTradeWindow(): boolean {
+    const hour = parseInt(
+        new Intl.DateTimeFormat('en-US', {
+            hour: 'numeric',
+            hour12: false,
+            timeZone: 'America/Chicago',
+        }).format(new Date()),
+        10
+    );
+    return hour >= 15 && hour < 17;
+}
+
 // ── core trade logic ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
 export async function runTrade(action: 'Buy' | 'Sell', symbol: string) {
+    if (isInNoTradeWindow()) {
+        console.log('[auto-trade] no-trade window active (3–5 PM Central) — skipping');
+        return [];
+    }
     const pointValue = POINT_VALUES[symbol];
     if (!pointValue) throw new Error(`Unknown symbol: ${symbol}`);