> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://api.unusualwhales.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

> ## Agent Instructions
> API requests use the base URL https://api.unusualwhales.com and require a bearer token in the `Authorization` header (`Authorization: Bearer <API_KEY>`). Create and manage API tokens at https://unusualwhales.com/dashboard/api.
> For live market data inside an AI tool, use the Unusual Whales MCP server at https://unusualwhales.com/public-api/mcp.
> Instructions for agents using Unusual Whales tools: https://unusualwhales.com/skill.md

# Trading halts

> Receive live trading state changes (halts, resumes, LULD pauses) for individual tickers.

**NOTE:**
This is the documentation for websocket channel `trading_halts`.
Websocket access for personal use is only available through the [Advanced plan](https://unusualwhales.com/pricing?product=api).

You can find fully-functional examples that stream data from many channels here:

* Python: [https://github.com/unusual-whales/api-examples/tree/main/examples/ws-multi-channel-multi-output](https://github.com/unusual-whales/api-examples/tree/main/examples/ws-multi-channel-multi-output)
* Javascript: [https://github.com/unusual-whales/api-examples/tree/main/examples/ws-multi-channel-multi-output-nodejs](https://github.com/unusual-whales/api-examples/tree/main/examples/ws-multi-channel-multi-output-nodejs)

Connect to the websocket URI:

`wss://api.unusualwhales.com/socket?token=<YOUR_API_TOKEN>`

then `join` the channel you wish to stream: `trading_halts` for live trading-state changes (halts, resumes, LULD pauses, etc.) sourced from UTP/CTA.

Payload format:

```
[
  "trading_halts",
  {
    "ticker": "GME",
    "state": "halted",
    "reason": "LUDP",
    "time": "2026-04-27T14:31:02Z"
  }
]
```

### Field reference

| Field | Type | Description |
| - | - | - |
| `ticker` | string | Ticker whose trading state changed. |
| `state` | string | New trading state, e.g. `"halted"`, `"resumed"`, `"paused"`. Values are passed through from the upstream feed. |
| `reason` | string | Reason code from the upstream feed (e.g. `"LUDP"` for LULD volatility pause, `"T1"` for news pending, `""` if no reason was provided). |
| `time` | ISO 8601 string | When the state change occurred, UTC. |