> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.tradesurge.co/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.tradesurge.co/platform/accounts/phases.md).
# Evaluation and funded phases
Every account is in Evaluation or Funded. The phase changes what Profit Target means and when you can take a payout.
Every account is in one of two phases: Evaluation or Funded. The phase is set by the firm, and it changes what your targets mean. You choose it when you add the account and update it when you pass.
## The phases
| Name | What it means |
| ------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Evaluation - Phase 1** | The first stage of a challenge. The firm sets a fixed profit target to pass. |
| **Evaluation - Phase 2** | The second stage, where a firm has one. Usually a lower target. |
| **Funded** | You passed. You trade the firm's capital and take payouts on the firm's schedule. |
## Profit Target depends on the phase
In Evaluation, Profit Target is the firm's fixed target to pass, for example 8% in Phase 1 and 5% in Phase 2. In Funded, Profit Target is a goal you set yourself before your next payout. TradeSurge always labels which meaning applies.
## Payouts need trading days
A Trading Day is any day with at least one trade on the account. Most firms require a minimum number of trading days before a payout. TradeSurge shows your progress as "X of N".
## Why the phase matters when you scale
An evaluation account and a funded account can run the same strategy with very different pressure. Keeping the phase on each account lets you see which ones are chasing a target and which ones are protecting capital.
{% hint style="info" %}
"Live" in TradeSurge means an account is connected to a real venue, not that it is funded. Use Phase for Evaluation or Funded.
{% endhint %}
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