Why Time-in-Force Matters
Most traders obsess over price and size, then leave time-in-force (TIF) on default. On a fast perpetual book like Hyperliquid, TIF controls whether liquidity rests after a partial fill, whether you accept any leftover working size, and whether a “take” is allowed to become a forgotten resting offer that fills hours later at the worst moment.
This guide maps the common TIF behaviors — GTC, IOC, FOK — to real Hyperliquid workflows. Combine with order types, reduce-only, and post-only maker strategy.
GTC — Good Til Canceled
GTC rests on the book until filled or canceled. It is the default mental model for limit entries, ladder bids, and passive take-profit exits.
- Use when you want to provide liquidity, scale in/out at fixed prices, or park a reduce-only TP.
- Risk — stale GTC orders after you manually flatten or flip bias. Always audit open orders when flat.
- Tip — pair GTC reduce-only TP with a living stop; cancel both when the thesis dies, not when you “feel done.”
IOC — Immediate or Cancel
IOC takes whatever is available now at your limit (or marketable price) and cancels the unfilled remainder. Nothing rests.
- Use when you want aggressive participation without leaving a resting footprint.
- Scalpers love IOC for clipping size into the spread without becoming the new best bid/offer.
- Risk — partial fills only; you may get less size than planned. Size the next clip deliberately rather than mashing market.
- Bots — IOC reduces “orphan resting order” bugs after reconnects.
FOK — Fill or Kill
FOK requires the full size immediately or the whole order dies. No partials, no resting.
- Use when partial inventory is worse than no trade — e.g., hedged legs that must be complete, or minimum size constraints in a strategy.
- Risk — in thin books FOK fails often; you may chase and pay more. Check depth first via order book depth.
- Not for patient entries; that is GTC or layered limits.
How TIF Interacts With Other Flags
Post-only + GTC
Classic maker setup: rest only if you do not take. If your price would cross, the order rejects instead of paying taker. Ideal for rebate-seeking quotes — see maker rebate strategy.
Reduce-only + IOC
Emergency or tactical de-risk: take liquidity to flatten, never reverse, never rest a mistaken leftover.
Reduce-only + GTC
Standard passive scale-out ladder. After each partial, re-check residual size versus working stops.
Stop triggers + TIF on child order
Know whether your stop places a marketable IOC-style child or a resting limit. Survival stops usually want immediate liquidity; profit stops may use limits. Details vary by UI path — verify on test size first (testnet practice).
Scenario Playbook
- Breakout entry, must be in now — marketable IOC or careful market; accept slippage budget from slippage guide.
- Pullback limit entry — GTC (optionally post-only) at level; cancel if structure breaks.
- Full hedge that cannot be half-done — FOK if depth supports full size; else split IOC clips with a hard abort if incomplete.
- Scale-out at targets — GTC reduce-only limits; sibling stop adjusted after fills (OCO bracket guide).
- News spike exit — IOC or market reduce-only; do not leave GTC “hopes” in a one-way tape.
Common Mistakes
- Leaving GTC bids live after flipping short — instant wrong-way fill.
- Using FOK on illiquid alts and interpreting rejects as “the platform is broken.”
- IOC chasing without a max price — slippage becomes the silent fee.
- Bot reconnect that re-posts GTC duplicates — always reconcile open orders by client ID.
Operational Checklist
1) Decide intent: rest, snip, or all-or-nothing. 2) Pick TIF to match intent. 3) Add reduce-only when flattening. 4) Add post-only when you refuse taker. 5) After session, flat account should mean zero working orders. 6) Journal which TIF produced best average prices for your style.
Trade Hyperliquid With Clean Order Hygiene
Join with HOLYGRAIL, then default IOC for snipes and GTC reduce-only for planned exits.
Open Hyperliquid with HOLYGRAIL