Here’s a concise, practical playbook for optimizing the EA — Trend first, then Range, then robustness, then pick setfiles:

0) Preparation

• Tester model: Open prices only (as designed), Genetic optimization on.

• Use fixed lot (e.g., UseFixedLot=true , FixedLot=0.01 ) to keep results comparable.

• Keep global filters stable (session, spread cap, spike breaker) while optimizing modules.

• Split data: in-sample (IS) for optimization, out-of-sample (OOS) for checks (e.g., 24 months IS → 12 months OOS). Do 2–3 walk-forward windows if possible.

1) Optimize the Trend module

• Switches: UseTrendSystem=true , UseRangeSystem=false .

• Optimize (coarse → fine):

  • EMAs: EMA_Fast_T , EMA_Slow_T

  • RSI: RSIPeriod , RSILongMin_T , RSIShortMax_T

  • Regime: TrendGapATR , TrendGapHyst , ConfirmBars

  • Stops/Targets: ATR_Period_T , ATR_MultSL_T , ATR_MultTP_T , Trail_ATRmult_T

  • Pacing: MinBarsBetweenTrades_T

• Keep MaxSpreadPips realistic; for metals, remember larger broker distances.

• Selection metric (primary): Net Profit (EA’s OnTester ) but filter by:

  • Profit Factor ≥ 1.3

  • Trades ≥ 80 (H1; adjust for TF)

  • Max DD ≤ 30% of Net Profit

  • Reasonable stability across months (few deep equity sinks)

2) Optimize the Range module

• Switches: UseTrendSystem=false , UseRangeSystem=true .

• Optimize:

  • EMAs: EMA_Fast_R , EMA_Slow_R

  • Flatness/Deviation: Range_FlatATR , Range_DevATR

  • RSI band: RSICenterLow , RSICenterHigh

  • Stops/Targets: ATR_Period_R , ATR_MultSL_R , ATR_MultTP_R , Trail_ATRmult_R

  • Pacing: MinBarsBetweenTrades_R

• Same selection filters as Trend. Aim for complementarity (works when Trend is flat).

3) Merge & de-conflict

• Switches: UseTrendSystem=true , UseRangeSystem=true .

• Keep best Trend + best Range settings; fine-tune only the pacing ( MinBarsBetweenTrades_* ) and filters (session/spread/spike) to reduce overlap.

• Sanity pass on SL/TP: metals have stricter distance; we already buffer stops.

4) Robustness testing (don’t skip!)

Run the final combined settings through:

• OOS / walk-forward windows (rotate IS/OOS).

• Spread/Slippage stress: +50–100% spread, +2–5 points slippage.

• Parameter jitter: ±10% around each optimized value; equity should not collapse (>20% degradation tolerance).

• Symbol variants (e.g., pro, ecn, metals vs. fx) to ensure stop-distance tolerance holds.

Pass criteria (suggested):

• PF ≥ 1.25 on OOS

• Max DD ≤ 35% of Net Profit

• Monthly return stability (≤ 4 consecutive losing months)

• Similar trade count magnitude as IS (no collapse)

5) Select and package setfiles

• For each symbol/TF, keep top 1–3 configurations that:

  • Pass robustness checks,

  • Are diverse (not the same EMA/RSI cluster),

  • Maintain healthy trade counts and DD control.

• Naming: TRK_v1.09p5_[SYMBOL]_[TF]_trend+range_[date].set

• Keep UseFixedLot and risk fields visible; users may adjust risk post-optimization without impacting signal logic.

Tip: For XAU/GOLD (Daily/H4), accept fewer trades but insist on higher PF and extra stop distance (already handled by the buffered stops). For NZD pairs, ensure “validator” pending logic is tester-only and does not affect live runs.

That’s it — concise flow: Trend → Range → Merge → Robustness → Pick best setfiles.