Articles on manual and algorithmic trading in MetaTrader 5

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This category features articles on all aspects of trading - from manual to fully automatic trading, from Expert Advisor ideas to trading robot creation using the MQL5 Wizard. Position management, processing of trade events and money management - these integral parts of trading are covered in theses articles.

Learn how to copy trading signals and how to provide around-the-clock operation of Expert Advisors, how to create a trading robot and how to run MetaTrader on Linux and MacOS, what social trading is and how to order a trading robot.

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Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 2): The Kumo Breakout System with Ichimoku and Awesome Oscillator

Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 2): The Kumo Breakout System with Ichimoku and Awesome Oscillator

In this article, we create an Expert Advisor (EA) that automates the Kumo Breakout strategy using the Ichimoku Kinko Hyo indicator and the Awesome Oscillator. We walk through the process of initializing indicator handles, detecting breakout conditions, and coding automated trade entries and exits. Additionally, we implement trailing stops and position management logic to enhance the EA's performance and adaptability to market conditions.
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MetaTrader 5 Machine Learning Blueprint (Part 5): Sequential Bootstrapping—Debiasing Labels, Improving Returns

MetaTrader 5 Machine Learning Blueprint (Part 5): Sequential Bootstrapping—Debiasing Labels, Improving Returns

Sequential bootstrapping reshapes bootstrap sampling for financial machine learning by actively avoiding temporally overlapping labels, producing more independent training samples, sharper uncertainty estimates, and more robust trading models. This practical guide explains the intuition, shows the algorithm step‑by‑step, provides optimized code patterns for large datasets, and demonstrates measurable performance gains through simulations and real backtests.
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Crow Search Algorithm (CSA)

Crow Search Algorithm (CSA)

The Crow Search Algorithm (CSA) is an elegant metaheuristic inspired by crows’ ability to hide food and find other crows' caches, solving optimization problems by balancing following successful solutions with random exploration of the search space. Let's find out how well the algorithm performs.
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Creating an EA that works automatically (Part 03): New functions

Creating an EA that works automatically (Part 03): New functions

Today we'll see how to create an Expert Advisor that simply and safely works in automatic mode. In the previous article, we started to develop an order system that we will use in our automated EA. However, we have created only one of the necessary functions.
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How to Create an Interactive MQL5 Dashboard/Panel Using the Controls Class (Part 2): Adding Button Responsiveness

How to Create an Interactive MQL5 Dashboard/Panel Using the Controls Class (Part 2): Adding Button Responsiveness

In this article, we focus on transforming our static MQL5 dashboard panel into an interactive tool by enabling button responsiveness. We explore how to automate the functionality of the GUI components, ensuring they react appropriately to user clicks. By the end of the article, we establish a dynamic interface that enhances user engagement and trading experience.
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Introduction to MQL5 (Part 10): A Beginner's Guide to Working with Built-in Indicators in MQL5

Introduction to MQL5 (Part 10): A Beginner's Guide to Working with Built-in Indicators in MQL5

This article introduces working with built-in indicators in MQL5, focusing on creating an RSI-based Expert Advisor (EA) using a project-based approach. You'll learn to retrieve and utilize RSI values, handle liquidity sweeps, and enhance trade visualization using chart objects. Additionally, the article emphasizes effective risk management, including setting percentage-based risk, implementing risk-reward ratios, and applying risk modifications to secure profits.
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Understanding functions in MQL5 with applications

Understanding functions in MQL5 with applications

Functions are critical things in any programming language, it helps developers apply the concept of (DRY) which means do not repeat yourself, and many other benefits. In this article, you will find much more information about functions and how we can create our own functions in MQL5 with simple applications that can be used or called in any system you have to enrich your trading system without complicating things.
Universal regression model for market price prediction (Part 2): Natural, technological and social transient functions
Universal regression model for market price prediction (Part 2): Natural, technological and social transient functions

Universal regression model for market price prediction (Part 2): Natural, technological and social transient functions

This article is a logical continuation of the previous one. It highlights the facts that confirm the conclusions made in the first article. These facts were revealed within ten years after its publication. They are centered around three detected dynamic transient functions describing the patterns in market price changes.
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How to create a simple Multi-Currency Expert Advisor using MQL5 (Part 4): Triangular moving average — Indicator Signals

How to create a simple Multi-Currency Expert Advisor using MQL5 (Part 4): Triangular moving average — Indicator Signals

The Multi-Currency Expert Advisor in this article is Expert Advisor or trading robot that can trade (open orders, close orders and manage orders for example: Trailing Stop Loss and Trailing Profit) for more than one symbol pair only from one symbol chart. This time we will use only 1 indicator, namely Triangular moving average in multi-timeframes or single timeframe.
Filtering Signals Based on Statistical Data of Price Correlation
Filtering Signals Based on Statistical Data of Price Correlation

Filtering Signals Based on Statistical Data of Price Correlation

Is there any correlation between the past price behavior and its future trends? Why does the price repeat today the character of its previous day movement? Can the statistics be used to forecast the price dynamics? There is an answer, and it is positive. If you have any doubt, then this article is for you. I'll tell how to create a working filter for a trading system in MQL5, revealing an interesting pattern in price changes.
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Using PatchTST Machine Learning Algorithm for Predicting Next 24 Hours of Price Action

Using PatchTST Machine Learning Algorithm for Predicting Next 24 Hours of Price Action

In this article, we apply a relatively complex neural network algorithm released in 2023 called PatchTST for predicting the price action for the next 24 hours. We will use the official repository, make slight modifications, train a model for EURUSD, and apply it to making future predictions both in Python and MQL5.
Tips for Purchasing a Product on the Market. Step-By-Step Guide
Tips for Purchasing a Product on the Market. Step-By-Step Guide

Tips for Purchasing a Product on the Market. Step-By-Step Guide

This step-by-step guide provides tips and tricks for better understanding and searching for a required product. The article makes an attempt to puzzle out different methods of searching for an appropriate product, sorting out unwanted products, determining product efficiency and essentiality for you.
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Exploring Advanced Machine Learning Techniques on the Darvas Box Breakout Strategy

Exploring Advanced Machine Learning Techniques on the Darvas Box Breakout Strategy

The Darvas Box Breakout Strategy, created by Nicolas Darvas, is a technical trading approach that spots potential buy signals when a stock’s price rises above a set "box" range, suggesting strong upward momentum. In this article, we will apply this strategy concept as an example to explore three advanced machine learning techniques. These include using a machine learning model to generate signals rather than to filter trades, employing continuous signals rather than discrete ones, and using models trained on different timeframes to confirm trades.
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Python + LLM API + MetaTrader 5: Real-World Experience Building an Autonomous Trading Bot

Python + LLM API + MetaTrader 5: Real-World Experience Building an Autonomous Trading Bot

The article describes the development of an MVP prototype for an autonomous trading bot for MetaTrader 5 that uses large language models (LLMs) via the OpenRouter API to analyze the market and make trading decisions. A Python script retrieves historical OHLCV data, sends it to an LLM for technical analysis based on support/resistance levels and Price Action patterns, and then automatically places orders with specified stop loss and take profit levels.
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From Novice to Expert: Creating an MTF CRT Overlay Indicator in MQL5

From Novice to Expert: Creating an MTF CRT Overlay Indicator in MQL5

Higher-timeframe CRT ranges are informative, yet traders often execute on lower timeframes without that context. We implement an MQL5 indicator that reads higher-timeframe OHLC, projects the full candle range, body, and wicks onto the active lower-timeframe chart, and marks entries, stops, and targets. This improves situational awareness and removes the need to switch windows.
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Using optimization algorithms to configure EA parameters on the fly

Using optimization algorithms to configure EA parameters on the fly

The article discusses the practical aspects of using optimization algorithms to find the best EA parameters on the fly, as well as virtualization of trading operations and EA logic. The article can be used as an instruction for implementing optimization algorithms into an EA.
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From Novice to Expert: Programming Candlesticks

From Novice to Expert: Programming Candlesticks

In this article, we take the first step in MQL5 programming, even for complete beginners. We'll show you how to transform familiar candlestick patterns into a fully functional custom indicator. Candlestick patterns are valuable as they reflect real price action and signal market shifts. Instead of manually scanning charts—an approach prone to errors and inefficiencies—we'll discuss how to automate the process with an indicator that identifies and labels patterns for you. Along the way, we’ll explore key concepts like indexing, time series, Average True Range (for accuracy in varying market volatility), and the development of a custom reusable Candlestick Pattern library for use in future projects.
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Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 29): Creating a price action Gartley Harmonic Pattern system

Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 29): Creating a price action Gartley Harmonic Pattern system

In this article, we develop a Gartley Pattern system in MQL5 that identifies bullish and bearish Gartley harmonic patterns using pivot points and Fibonacci ratios, executing trades with precise entry, stop loss, and take-profit levels. We enhance trader insight with visual feedback through chart objects like triangles, trendlines, and labels to clearly display the XABCD pattern structure.
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Creating a Trading Administrator Panel in MQL5 (Part XII): Integration of a Forex Values Calculator

Creating a Trading Administrator Panel in MQL5 (Part XII): Integration of a Forex Values Calculator

Accurate calculation of key trading values is an indispensable part of every trader’s workflow. In this article, we will discuss, the integration of a powerful utility—the Forex Calculator—into the Trade Management Panel, further extending the functionality of our multi-panel Trading Administrator system. Efficiently determining risk, position size, and potential profit is essential when placing trades, and this new feature is designed to make that process faster and more intuitive within the panel. Join us as we explore the practical application of MQL5 in building advanced, trading panels.
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How to create a simple Multi-Currency Expert Advisor using MQL5 (Part 5):  Bollinger Bands On Keltner Channel — Indicators Signal

How to create a simple Multi-Currency Expert Advisor using MQL5 (Part 5): Bollinger Bands On Keltner Channel — Indicators Signal

The Multi-Currency Expert Advisor in this article is an Expert Advisor or Trading Robot that can trade (open orders, close orders and manage orders for example: Trailing Stop Loss and Trailing Profit) for more than one symbol pair from only one symbol chart. In this article we will use signals from two indicators, in this case Bollinger Bands® on Keltner Channel.
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Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 21): Enhancing Neural Network Trading with Adaptive Learning Rates

Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 21): Enhancing Neural Network Trading with Adaptive Learning Rates

In this article, we enhance a neural network trading strategy in MQL5 with an adaptive learning rate to boost accuracy. We design and implement this mechanism, then test its performance. The article concludes with optimization insights for algorithmic trading.
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Master MQL5 from Beginner to Pro (Part VI): Basics of Developing Expert Advisors

Master MQL5 from Beginner to Pro (Part VI): Basics of Developing Expert Advisors

This article continues the series for beginners. Here we will discuss the basic principles of developing Expert Advisors (EAs). We will create two EAs: the first one will trade without indicators, using pending orders, and the second one will be based on the standard MA indicator, opening deals at the current price. Here I assume that you are no longer a complete beginner and have a relatively good command of the material from the previous articles.
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Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 48): Order Blocks, Inducement, Break of Structure

Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 48): Order Blocks, Inducement, Break of Structure

We implement an MQL5 expert advisor that detects order blocks formed after consolidation breakouts and confirms them with fair value gaps. Each zone is validated by a break of structure and a preceding inducement, then filtered by the higher-timeframe trend. The program adds mitigation tracking, risk-based lot sizing, and two trailing stop modes, providing clear on-chart visuals and backtest-ready trade execution logic.
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Building a Trading System (Part 1): A Quantitative Approach

Building a Trading System (Part 1): A Quantitative Approach

Many traders evaluate strategies based on short-term performance, often abandoning profitable systems too early. Long-term profitability, however, depends on positive expectancy through optimized win rate and risk-reward ratio, along with disciplined position sizing. These principles can be validated using Monte Carlo simulation in Python with back-tested metrics to assess whether a strategy is robust or likely to fail over time.
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Implementing the Deus EA: Automated Trading with RSI and Moving Averages in MQL5

Implementing the Deus EA: Automated Trading with RSI and Moving Averages in MQL5

This article outlines the steps to implement the Deus EA based on the RSI and Moving Average indicators for guiding automated trading.
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From Novice to Expert: Creating a Liquidity Zone Indicator

From Novice to Expert: Creating a Liquidity Zone Indicator

The extent of liquidity zones and the magnitude of the breakout range are key variables that substantially affect the probability of a retest occurring. In this discussion, we outline the complete process for developing an indicator that incorporates these ratios.
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Swing Extremes and Pullbacks in MQL5 (Part 1): Developing a Multi-Timeframe Indicator

Swing Extremes and Pullbacks in MQL5 (Part 1): Developing a Multi-Timeframe Indicator

In this discussion we will Automate Swing Extremes and the Pullback Indicator, which transforms raw lower-timeframe (LTF) price action into a structured map of market intent, precisely identifying swing highs, swing lows, and corrective phases in real time. By programmatically tracking microstructure shifts, it anticipates potential reversals before they fully unfold—turning noise into actionable insight.
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Rebuy algorithm: Math model for increasing efficiency

Rebuy algorithm: Math model for increasing efficiency

In this article, we will use the rebuy algorithm for a deeper understanding of the efficiency of trading systems and start working on the general principles of improving trading efficiency using mathematics and logic, as well as apply the most non-standard methods of increasing efficiency in terms of using absolutely any trading system.
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ALGLIB numerical analysis library in MQL5

ALGLIB numerical analysis library in MQL5

The article takes a quick look at the ALGLIB 3.19 numerical analysis library, its applications and new algorithms that can improve the efficiency of financial data analysis.
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Creating an EA that works automatically (Part 15): Automation (VII)

Creating an EA that works automatically (Part 15): Automation (VII)

To complete this series of articles on automation, we will continue discussing the topic of the previous article. We will see how everything will fit together, making the EA run like clockwork.
Using cryptography with external applications
Using cryptography with external applications

Using cryptography with external applications

In this article, we consider encryption/decryption of objects in MetaTrader and in external applications. Our purpose is to determine the conditions under which the same results will be obtained with the same initial data.
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Machine Learning Blueprint (Part 4): The Hidden Flaw in Your Financial ML Pipeline — Label Concurrency

Machine Learning Blueprint (Part 4): The Hidden Flaw in Your Financial ML Pipeline — Label Concurrency

Discover how to fix a critical flaw in financial machine learning that causes overfit models and poor live performance—label concurrency. When using the triple-barrier method, your training labels overlap in time, violating the core IID assumption of most ML algorithms. This article provides a hands-on solution through sample weighting. You will learn how to quantify temporal overlap between trading signals, calculate sample weights that reflect each observation's unique information, and implement these weights in scikit-learn to build more robust classifiers. Learning these essential techniques will make your trading models more robust, reliable and profitable.
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Brute force approach to patterns search (Part VI): Cyclic optimization

Brute force approach to patterns search (Part VI): Cyclic optimization

In this article I will show the first part of the improvements that allowed me not only to close the entire automation chain for MetaTrader 4 and 5 trading, but also to do something much more interesting. From now on, this solution allows me to fully automate both creating EAs and optimization, as well as to minimize labor costs for finding effective trading configurations.
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Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 31): Creating a Price Action 3 Drives Harmonic Pattern System

Automating Trading Strategies in MQL5 (Part 31): Creating a Price Action 3 Drives Harmonic Pattern System

In this article, we develop a 3 Drives Pattern system in MQL5 that identifies bullish and bearish 3 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.
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Metamodels in machine learning and trading: Original timing of trading orders

Metamodels in machine learning and trading: Original timing of trading orders

Metamodels in machine learning: Auto creation of trading systems with little or no human intervention — The model decides when and how to trade on its own.
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Creating an EA that works automatically (Part 08): OnTradeTransaction

Creating an EA that works automatically (Part 08): OnTradeTransaction

In this article, we will see how to use the event handling system to quickly and efficiently process issues related to the order system. With this system the EA will work faster, so that it will not have to constantly search for the required data.
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Data Science and Machine Learning (Part 05): Decision Trees

Data Science and Machine Learning (Part 05): Decision Trees

Decision trees imitate the way humans think to classify data. Let's see how to build trees and use them to classify and predict some data. The main goal of the decision trees algorithm is to separate the data with impurity and into pure or close to nodes.
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How to create a simple Multi-Currency Expert Advisor using MQL5 (Part 7): ZigZag with Awesome Oscillator Indicators Signal

How to create a simple Multi-Currency Expert Advisor using MQL5 (Part 7): ZigZag with Awesome Oscillator Indicators Signal

The multi-currency expert advisor in this article is an expert advisor or automated trading that uses ZigZag indicator which are filtered with the Awesome Oscillator or filter each other's signals.
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Deep Learning GRU model with Python to ONNX  with EA, and GRU vs LSTM models

Deep Learning GRU model with Python to ONNX with EA, and GRU vs LSTM models

We will guide you through the entire process of DL with python to make a GRU ONNX model, culminating in the creation of an Expert Advisor (EA) designed for trading, and subsequently comparing GRU model with LSTM model.
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Self Optimizing Expert Advisors in MQL5 (Part 9): Double Moving Average Crossover

Self Optimizing Expert Advisors in MQL5 (Part 9): Double Moving Average Crossover

This article outlines the design of a double moving average crossover strategy that uses signals from a higher timeframe (D1) to guide entries on a lower timeframe (M15), with stop-loss levels calculated from an intermediate risk timeframe (H4). It introduces system constants, custom enumerations, and logic for trend-following and mean-reverting modes, while emphasizing modularity and future optimization using a genetic algorithm. The approach allows for flexible entry and exit conditions, aiming to reduce signal lag and improve trade timing by aligning lower-timeframe entries with higher-timeframe trends.