Articles with examples of trading robots developed in MQL5

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An Expert Advisor is the 'pinnacle' of programming and the desired goal of every automated trading developer. Read the articles in this section to create your own trading robot. By following the described steps you will learn how to create, debug and test automated trading systems.

The articles not only teach MQL5 programming, but also show how to implement trading ideas and techniques. You will learn how to program a trailing stop, how to apply money management, how to get the indicator values, and much more.

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Experiments with neural networks (Part 4): Templates

Experiments with neural networks (Part 4): Templates

In this article, I will use experimentation and non-standard approaches to develop a profitable trading system and check whether neural networks can be of any help for traders. MetaTrader 5 as a self-sufficient tool for using neural networks in trading. Simple explanation.
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Neural networks made easy (Part 53): Reward decomposition

Neural networks made easy (Part 53): Reward decomposition

We have already talked more than once about the importance of correctly selecting the reward function, which we use to stimulate the desired behavior of the Agent by adding rewards or penalties for individual actions. But the question remains open about the decryption of our signals by the Agent. In this article, we will talk about reward decomposition in terms of transmitting individual signals to the trained Agent.
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Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 14): Parabolic Stop and Reverse Tool

Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 14): Parabolic Stop and Reverse Tool

Embracing technical indicators in price action analysis is a powerful approach. These indicators often highlight key levels of reversals and retracements, offering valuable insights into market dynamics. In this article, we demonstrate how we developed an automated tool that generates signals using the Parabolic SAR indicator.
Graphical Interfaces X: Updates for the Rendered table and code optimization (build 10)
Graphical Interfaces X: Updates for the Rendered table and code optimization (build 10)

Graphical Interfaces X: Updates for the Rendered table and code optimization (build 10)

We continue to complement the Rendered table (CCanvasTable) with new features. The table will now have: highlighting of the rows when hovered; ability to add an array of icons for each cell and a method for switching them; ability to set or modify the cell text during the runtime, and more.
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Introduction to MQL5 (Part 21): Automating Harmonic Pattern Detection

Introduction to MQL5 (Part 21): Automating Harmonic Pattern Detection

Learn how to detect and display the Gartley harmonic pattern in MetaTrader 5 using MQL5. This article explains each step of the process, from identifying swing points to applying Fibonacci ratios and plotting the full pattern on the chart for clear visual confirmation.
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Larry Williams Market Secrets (Part 9): Patterns to Profit

Larry Williams Market Secrets (Part 9): Patterns to Profit

An empirical study of Larry Williams' short-term trading patterns, showing how classic setups can be automated in MQL5, tested on real market data, and evaluated for consistency, profitability, and practical trading value.
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Neural networks made easy (Part 66): Exploration problems in offline learning

Neural networks made easy (Part 66): Exploration problems in offline learning

Models are trained offline using data from a prepared training dataset. While providing certain advantages, its negative side is that information about the environment is greatly compressed to the size of the training dataset. Which, in turn, limits the possibilities of exploration. In this article, we will consider a method that enables the filling of a training dataset with the most diverse data possible.
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Developing a multi-currency Expert Advisor (Part 4): Pending virtual orders and saving status

Developing a multi-currency Expert Advisor (Part 4): Pending virtual orders and saving status

Having started developing a multi-currency EA, we have already achieved some results and managed to carry out several code improvement iterations. However, our EA was unable to work with pending orders and resume operation after the terminal restart. Let's add these features.
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Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 32): Creating a Price Action 5 Drives Harmonic Pattern System

Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 32): Creating a Price Action 5 Drives Harmonic Pattern System

In this article, we develop a 5 Drives pattern system in MQL5 that identifies bullish and bearish 5 Drives harmonic patterns using pivot points and Fibonacci ratios, executing trades with customizable entry, stop loss, and take-profit levels based on user-selected options. We enhance trader insight with visual feedback through chart objects like triangles, trendlines, and labels to clearly display the A-B-C-D-E-F pattern structure.
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News Trading Made Easy (Part 5): Performing Trades (II)

News Trading Made Easy (Part 5): Performing Trades (II)

This article will expand on the trade management class to include buy-stop and sell-stop orders to trade news events and implement an expiration constraint on these orders to prevent any overnight trading. A slippage function will be embedded into the expert to try and prevent or minimize possible slippage that may occur when using stop orders in trading, especially during news events.
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MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 13): Creating a Canvas-Based Price Dashboard with Graph and Stats Panels

MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 13): Creating a Canvas-Based Price Dashboard with Graph and Stats Panels

In this article, we develop a canvas-based price dashboard in MQL5 using the CCanvas class to create interactive panels for visualizing recent price graphs and account statistics, with support for background images, fog effects, and gradient fills. The system includes draggable and resizable features via mouse event handling, theme toggling between dark and light modes with dynamic color adjustments, and minimize/maximize controls for efficient chart space management.
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News Trading Made Easy (Part 6): Performing Trades (III)

News Trading Made Easy (Part 6): Performing Trades (III)

In this article news filtration for individual news events based on their IDs will be implemented. In addition, previous SQL queries will be improved to provide additional information or reduce the query's runtime. Furthermore, the code built in the previous articles will be made functional.
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Chaos theory in trading (Part 1): Introduction, application in financial markets and Lyapunov exponent

Chaos theory in trading (Part 1): Introduction, application in financial markets and Lyapunov exponent

Can chaos theory be applied to financial markets? In this article, we will consider how conventional Chaos theory and chaotic systems are different from the concept proposed by Bill Williams.
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Using PSAR, Heiken Ashi, and Deep Learning Together for Trading

Using PSAR, Heiken Ashi, and Deep Learning Together for Trading

This project explores the fusion of deep learning and technical analysis to test trading strategies in forex. A Python script is used for rapid experimentation, employing an ONNX model alongside traditional indicators like PSAR, SMA, and RSI to predict EUR/USD movements. A MetaTrader 5 script then brings this strategy into a live environment, using historical data and technical analysis to make informed trading decisions. The backtesting results indicate a cautious yet consistent approach, with a focus on risk management and steady growth rather than aggressive profit-seeking.
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Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 49): The Quasimodo (QM) Reversal Pattern

Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 49): The Quasimodo (QM) Reversal Pattern

In this article, we build an automated trading program in MQL5 that detects the Quasimodo reversal pattern from a zig-zag of confirmed swing pivots. We work through swing detection, pattern arming, retrace entries at the QM line, and structural stop placement with risk-based sizing. We also add trade management with breakeven, trailing, and partial closing to handle open positions.
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Neural Networks in Trading: Scene-Aware Object Detection (HyperDet3D)

Neural Networks in Trading: Scene-Aware Object Detection (HyperDet3D)

We invite you to get acquainted with a new approach to detecting objects using hypernetworks. A hypernetwork generates weights for the main model, which allows taking into account the specifics of the current market situation. This approach allows us to improve forecasting accuracy by adapting the model to different trading conditions.
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From Novice to Expert: Parameter Control Utility

From Novice to Expert: Parameter Control Utility

Imagine transforming the traditional EA or indicator input properties into a real-time, on-chart control interface. This discussion builds upon our foundational work in the Market Periods Synchronizer indicator, marking a significant evolution in how we visualize and manage higher-timeframe (HTF) market structures. Here, we turn that concept into a fully interactive utility—a dashboard that brings dynamic control and enhanced multi-period price action visualization directly onto the chart. Join us as we explore how this innovation reshapes the way traders interact with their tools.
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Neural networks made easy (Part 35): Intrinsic Curiosity Module

Neural networks made easy (Part 35): Intrinsic Curiosity Module

We continue to study reinforcement learning algorithms. All the algorithms we have considered so far required the creation of a reward policy to enable the agent to evaluate each of its actions at each transition from one system state to another. However, this approach is rather artificial. In practice, there is some time lag between an action and a reward. In this article, we will get acquainted with a model training algorithm which can work with various time delays from the action to the reward.
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Neural Networks Made Easy (Part 94): Optimizing the Input Sequence

Neural Networks Made Easy (Part 94): Optimizing the Input Sequence

When working with time series, we always use the source data in their historical sequence. But is this the best option? There is an opinion that changing the sequence of the input data will improve the efficiency of the trained models. In this article I invite you to get acquainted with one of the methods for optimizing the input sequence.
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Neural Networks in Trading: Hierarchical Vector Transformer (HiVT)

Neural Networks in Trading: Hierarchical Vector Transformer (HiVT)

We invite you to get acquainted with the Hierarchical Vector Transformer (HiVT) method, which was developed for fast and accurate forecasting of multimodal time series.
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Using the MQL5 Economic Calendar for News Filtering (Part 2): Stop Management Positions During News Releases

Using the MQL5 Economic Calendar for News Filtering (Part 2): Stop Management Positions During News Releases

In part 2, we extend the news filter to protect existing positions during news events. Instead of closing trades, we temporarily remove stop-loss and take-profit levels, storing them safely in memory. When the news window ends, stops are deterministically restored, adjusted if price has already crossed the original levels, while respecting broker minimum distance rules. The result is a mechanism that preserves trade integrity without interfering with entry logic, keeping the EA in control through volatility.
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Reimagining Classic Strategies (Part II): Bollinger Bands Breakouts

Reimagining Classic Strategies (Part II): Bollinger Bands Breakouts

This article explores a trading strategy that integrates Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) with Bollinger Bands, leveraging categorical zone predictions for strategic market entry signals.
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Practicing the development of trading strategies

Practicing the development of trading strategies

In this article, we will make an attempt to develop our own trading strategy. Any trading strategy must be based on some kind of statistical advantage. Moreover, this advantage should exist for a long time.
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Forex Arbitrage Trading: A Matrix Trading System for Return to Fair Value with Risk Control

Forex Arbitrage Trading: A Matrix Trading System for Return to Fair Value with Risk Control

The article contains a detailed description of the cross-rate calculation algorithm, a visualization of the imbalance matrix, and recommendations for optimally setting the MinDiscrepancy and MaxRisk parameters for efficient trading. The system automatically calculates the "fair value" of each currency pair using cross rates, generating buy signals in case of negative deviations and sell signals in case of positive ones.
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Building a Candlestick Trend Constraint Model (Part 10): Strategic Golden and Death Cross (EA)

Building a Candlestick Trend Constraint Model (Part 10): Strategic Golden and Death Cross (EA)

Did you know that the Golden Cross and Death Cross strategies, based on moving average crossovers, are some of the most reliable indicators for identifying long-term market trends? A Golden Cross signals a bullish trend when a shorter moving average crosses above a longer one, while a Death Cross indicates a bearish trend when the shorter average moves below. Despite their simplicity and effectiveness, manually applying these strategies often leads to missed opportunities or delayed trades.
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Using Deep Reinforcement Learning to Enhance Ilan Expert Advisor

Using Deep Reinforcement Learning to Enhance Ilan Expert Advisor

We revisit the Ilan grid Expert Advisor and integrate Q-learning in MQL5 to build an adaptive version for MetaTrader 5. The article shows how to define state features, discretize them for a Q-table, select actions with ε-greedy, and shape rewards for averaging and exits. You will implement saving/loading the Q-table, tune learning parameters, and test on EURUSD/AUDUSD in the Strategy Tester to evaluate stability and drawdown risks.
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Developing a multi-currency Expert Advisor (Part 5): Variable position sizes

Developing a multi-currency Expert Advisor (Part 5): Variable position sizes

In the previous parts, the Expert Advisor (EA) under development was able to use only a fixed position size for trading. This is acceptable for testing, but is not advisable when trading on a real account. Let's make it possible to trade using variable position sizes.
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Fortified Profit Architecture: Multi-Layered Account Protection

Fortified Profit Architecture: Multi-Layered Account Protection

In this discussion, we introduce a structured, multi-layered defense system designed to pursue aggressive profit targets while minimizing exposure to catastrophic loss. The focus is on blending offensive trading logic with protective safeguards at every level of the trading pipeline. The idea is to engineer an EA that behaves like a “risk-aware predator”—capable of capturing high-value opportunities, but always with layers of insulation that prevent blindness to sudden market stress.
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Mastering Kagi Charts in MQL5 (Part I): Creating the Indicator

Mastering Kagi Charts in MQL5 (Part I): Creating the Indicator

Learn how to build a complete Kagi Chart engine in MQL5—constructing price reversals, generating dynamic line segments, and updating Kagi structures in real time. This first part teaches you how to render Kagi charts directly on MetaTrader 5, giving traders a clear view of trend shifts and market strength while preparing for automated Kagi-based trading logic in Part 2.
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Neural networks made easy (Part 44): Learning skills with dynamics in mind

Neural networks made easy (Part 44): Learning skills with dynamics in mind

In the previous article, we introduced the DIAYN method, which offers the algorithm for learning a variety of skills. The acquired skills can be used for various tasks. But such skills can be quite unpredictable, which can make them difficult to use. In this article, we will look at an algorithm for learning predictable skills.
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Neural networks made easy (Part 38): Self-Supervised Exploration via Disagreement

Neural networks made easy (Part 38): Self-Supervised Exploration via Disagreement

One of the key problems within reinforcement learning is environmental exploration. Previously, we have already seen the research method based on Intrinsic Curiosity. Today I propose to look at another algorithm: Exploration via Disagreement.
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Risk Management (Part 5): Integrating the Risk Management System into an Expert Advisor

Risk Management (Part 5): Integrating the Risk Management System into an Expert Advisor

In this article, we will implement the risk management system developed in previous publications and add the Order Blocks indicator described in other articles. In addition, we will run a backtest so we can compare results with the risk management system enabled and evaluate the impact of dynamic risk.
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Seasonality Filtering and time period for Deep Learning ONNX models with python for EA

Seasonality Filtering and time period for Deep Learning ONNX models with python for EA

Can we benefit from seasonality when creating models for Deep Learning with Python? Does filtering data for the ONNX models help to get better results? What time period should we use? We will cover all of this over this article.
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Neural Networks in Trading: An Agent with Layered Memory (Final Part)

Neural Networks in Trading: An Agent with Layered Memory (Final Part)

We continue our work on creating the FinMem framework, which uses layered memory approaches that mimic human cognitive processes. This allows the model not only to effectively process complex financial data but also to adapt to new signals, significantly improving the accuracy and effectiveness of investment decisions in dynamically changing markets.
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MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 4): Improving the Multi-Timeframe Scanner Dashboard with Dynamic Positioning and Toggle Features

MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 4): Improving the Multi-Timeframe Scanner Dashboard with Dynamic Positioning and Toggle Features

In this article, we upgrade the MQL5 Multi-Timeframe Scanner Dashboard with movable and toggle features. We enable dragging the dashboard and a minimize/maximize option for better screen use. We implement and test these enhancements for improved trading flexibility.
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Formulating Dynamic Multi-Pair EA (Part 2): Portfolio Diversification and Optimization

Formulating Dynamic Multi-Pair EA (Part 2): Portfolio Diversification and Optimization

Portfolio Diversification and Optimization strategically spreads investments across multiple assets to minimize risk while selecting the ideal asset mix to maximize returns based on risk-adjusted performance metrics.
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Neural Networks in Trading: Hyperbolic Latent Diffusion Model (Final Part)

Neural Networks in Trading: Hyperbolic Latent Diffusion Model (Final Part)

The use of anisotropic diffusion processes for encoding the initial data in a hyperbolic latent space, as proposed in the HypDIff framework, assists in preserving the topological features of the current market situation and improves the quality of its analysis. In the previous article, we started implementing the proposed approaches using MQL5. Today we will continue the work we started and will bring it to its logical conclusion.
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Neural networks made easy (Part 43): Mastering skills without the reward function

Neural networks made easy (Part 43): Mastering skills without the reward function

The problem of reinforcement learning lies in the need to define a reward function. It can be complex or difficult to formalize. To address this problem, activity-based and environment-based approaches are being explored to learn skills without an explicit reward function.
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Trading Insights Through Volume: Moving Beyond OHLC Charts

Trading Insights Through Volume: Moving Beyond OHLC Charts

Algorithmic trading system that combines volume analysis with machine learning techniques, specifically LSTM neural networks. Unlike traditional trading approaches that primarily focus on price movements, this system emphasizes volume patterns and their derivatives to predict market movements. The methodology incorporates three main components: volume derivatives analysis (first and second derivatives), LSTM predictions for volume patterns, and traditional technical indicators.
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Neural networks made easy (Part 50): Soft Actor-Critic (model optimization)

Neural networks made easy (Part 50): Soft Actor-Critic (model optimization)

In the previous article, we implemented the Soft Actor-Critic algorithm, but were unable to train a profitable model. Here we will optimize the previously created model to obtain the desired results.