Set up your first options workspace

Start with one underlying and one purpose

An options workspace is easiest to understand when it answers a specific question, such as where modeled exposure is concentrated or how execution premium has developed during the selected session. Begin with one supported underlying instead of mixing several roots and expiration ranges. SPX, SPY and QQQ are useful examples of recognizable selections, but their availability still depends on the account and source. An index option family and an ETF option family are different instruments with different contract economics; their numerical totals should not be treated as directly interchangeable.

Build a first exposure view

Gamma → Overview provides a prepared starting point. You can investigate the same tool families in Map when you want a custom arrangement. Establish a repeatable selection before adding complexity.

1. Open Gamma and select Overview in its inner sidebar.
2. Choose the underlying, then set the session and verify the trading date.
3. Inspect the current exposure metric and expiration selection. Start with a clearly named selection such as 0DTE or the broader available chain.
4. Read the level and chart units and any source or availability state.
5. Use another Gamma section when you need a different perspective on the same underlying, then confirm that its header still matches your intended selection.

Add execution context with Options Flow

Open Options Flow → Live tape to inspect captured option prints. Premium describes the executed value admitted by the current selection and filters. The tape can include individual or consolidated presentations; those presentations are not alternative GEX calculations. A print's inferred direction depends on the available classification evidence and can remain unknown. Do not infer that a call execution opened a bullish position or that a put execution established a bearish one. When you compare tape activity with Gamma, distinguish actual executions from modeled sensitivity and check their respective dates and scopes.

Bring the investigation into Map

Map → Exposure and Flow Analysis are starting layouts that collect related tools. Choose the layout, inspect each panel's active tab and identify the tools you will actually use. Use Add Tool if you need an additional chart or table. Tools can be placed in tab groups so the layout remains readable. Assign compatible widgets to the same A–H link group when you want to share selections, then verify their headers after changing the group symbol. Keep one tool unlinked if you deliberately want to compare a different expiration or underlying.

Choose expiration and strike ranges deliberately

A 0DTE view and an all-expiration view can produce very different totals without either being wrong. A strike-range filter can hide concentrations beyond your visible band, while an exact-contract selection narrows the question further to expiration, strike and call or put right. After changing the underlying, recheck restrictive filters that were useful for the previous selection. If a chart becomes empty, broaden one filter at a time and inspect availability. Changing the display's price basis to ES or another eligible future changes coordinates; it does not turn option exposure or premium into futures volume.

Compare observations on the same clock

Use the same session and trading date across the tools you are comparing. During a closed session, a widget may answer for the last available eligible session. A freshly received response can still contain a dated source observation. Gamma history and a current strike snapshot also have different time meanings. For a practical comparison, record the underlying, session, date, expiration scope and selected minute before moving between views. If you pin date and time through a tool's menu, check the pin state later so an intentionally historical view is not mistaken for a frozen live screen.

Save and troubleshoot your first setup

Once the layout is useful, wait for its saved status and choose a descriptive name through the available layout controls. Save a separate copy before building a substantially different investigation. If part of the setup is unavailable, inspect the specific tool rather than replacing the entire workspace: missing quotes, incomplete history, unsupported sessions and plan restrictions require different responses. Refresh data when you want another capture of the same question. A support ticket should include both widgets' selections and screenshots with labels, especially when the apparent disagreement involves GEX versus premium, gross versus net values or different expiration sets.