Articles on trading system automation in MQL5

icon

Read articles on the trading systems with a wide variety of ideas at the core. Learn how to use statistical methods and patterns on candlestick charts, how to filter signals and where to use semaphore indicators.

The MQL5 Wizard will help you create robots without programming to quickly check your trading ideas. Use the Wizard to learn about genetic algorithms.

Add a new article
latest | best
preview
How to create a custom True Strength Index indicator using MQL5

How to create a custom True Strength Index indicator using MQL5

Here is a new article about how to create a custom indicator. This time we will work with the True Strength Index (TSI) and will create an Expert Advisor based on it.
preview
Developing a Trading Strategy: Using a Volume-Bound Approach

Developing a Trading Strategy: Using a Volume-Bound Approach

In the world of technical analysis, price often takes center stage. Traders meticulously map out support, resistance, and patterns, yet frequently ignore the critical force that drives these movements: volume. This article delves into a novel approach to volume analysis: the Volume Boundary indicator. This transformation, utilizing sophisticated smoothing functions like the butterfly and triple sine curves, allows for clearer interpretation and the development of systematic trading strategies.
preview
Building AI-Powered Trading Systems in MQL5 (Part 1): Implementing JSON Handling for AI APIs

Building AI-Powered Trading Systems in MQL5 (Part 1): Implementing JSON Handling for AI APIs

In this article, we develop a JSON parsing framework in MQL5 to handle data exchange for AI API integration, focusing on a JSON class for processing JSON structures. We implement methods to serialize and deserialize JSON data, supporting various data types like strings, numbers, and objects, essential for communicating with AI services like ChatGPT, enabling future AI-driven trading systems by ensuring accurate data handling and manipulation.
preview
William Gann methods (Part I): Creating Gann Angles indicator

William Gann methods (Part I): Creating Gann Angles indicator

What is the essence of Gann Theory? How are Gann angles constructed? We will create Gann Angles indicator for MetaTrader 5.
preview
Creating an EA that works automatically (Part 05): Manual triggers (II)

Creating an EA that works automatically (Part 05): Manual triggers (II)

Today we'll see how to create an Expert Advisor that simply and safely works in automatic mode. At the end of the previous article, I suggested that it would be appropriate to allow manual use of the EA, at least for a while.
preview
Reimagining Classic Strategies (Part 15): Daily Breakout Trading Strategy

Reimagining Classic Strategies (Part 15): Daily Breakout Trading Strategy

Human traders had long participated in financial markets before the rise of computers, developing rules of thumb that guided their decisions. In this article, we revisit a well-known breakout strategy to test whether such market logic, learned through experience, can hold its own against systematic methods. Our findings show that while the original strategy produced high accuracy, it suffered from instability and poor risk control. By refining the approach, we demonstrate how discretionary insights can be adapted into more robust, algorithmic trading strategies.
preview
Creating Custom Indicators in MQL5 (Part 6): Evolving RSI Calculations with Smoothing, Hue Shifts, and Multi-Timeframe Support

Creating Custom Indicators in MQL5 (Part 6): Evolving RSI Calculations with Smoothing, Hue Shifts, and Multi-Timeframe Support

In this article, we build a versatile RSI indicator in MQL5 supporting multiple variants, data sources, and smoothing methods for improved analysis. We add hue shifts for color visuals, dynamic boundaries for overbought/oversold zones, and notifications for trend alerts. It includes multi-timeframe support with interpolation, offering us a customizable RSI tool for diverse strategies.
preview
Understanding Programming Paradigms (Part 2): An Object-Oriented Approach to Developing a Price Action Expert Advisor

Understanding Programming Paradigms (Part 2): An Object-Oriented Approach to Developing a Price Action Expert Advisor

Learn about the object-oriented programming paradigm and its application in MQL5 code. This second article goes deeper into the specifics of object-oriented programming, offering hands-on experience through a practical example. You'll learn how to convert our earlier developed procedural price action expert advisor using the EMA indicator and candlestick price data to object-oriented code.
preview
Multiple indicators on one chart (Part 05): Turning MetaTrader 5 into a RAD system (I)

Multiple indicators on one chart (Part 05): Turning MetaTrader 5 into a RAD system (I)

There are a lot of people who do not know how to program but they are quite creative and have great ideas. However, the lack of programming knowledge prevents them from implementing these ideas. Let's see together how to create a Chart Trade using the MetaTrader 5 platform itself, as if it were an IDE.
Working with Files. An Example of Important Market Events Visualization
Working with Files. An Example of Important Market Events Visualization

Working with Files. An Example of Important Market Events Visualization

The article deals with the outlook of using MQL4 for more productive work at FOREX markets.
preview
Optimizing Long-Term Trades: Engulfing Candles and Liquidity Strategies

Optimizing Long-Term Trades: Engulfing Candles and Liquidity Strategies

This is a high-timeframe-based EA that makes long-term analyses, trading decisions, and executions based on higher-timeframe analyses of W1, D1, and MN. This article will explore in detail an EA that is specifically designed for long-term traders who are patient enough to withstand and hold their positions during tumultuous lower time frame price action without changing their bias frequently until take-profit targets are hit.
preview
Introduction to MQL5 (Part 19): Automating Wolfe Wave Detection

Introduction to MQL5 (Part 19): Automating Wolfe Wave Detection

This article shows how to programmatically identify bullish and bearish Wolfe Wave patterns and trade them using MQL5. We’ll explore how to identify Wolfe Wave structures programmatically and execute trades based on them using MQL5. This includes detecting key swing points, validating pattern rules, and preparing the EA to act on the signals it finds.
preview
Implementing the Generalized Hurst Exponent and the Variance Ratio test in MQL5

Implementing the Generalized Hurst Exponent and the Variance Ratio test in MQL5

In this article, we investigate how the Generalized Hurst Exponent and the Variance Ratio test can be utilized to analyze the behaviour of price series in MQL5.
preview
Developing a trading Expert Advisor from scratch (Part 22): New order system (V)

Developing a trading Expert Advisor from scratch (Part 22): New order system (V)

Today we will continue to develop the new order system. It is not that easy to implement a new system as we often encounter problems which greatly complicate the process. When these problems appear, we have to stop and re-analyze the direction in which we are moving.
preview
Experiments with neural networks (Part 5): Normalizing inputs for passing to a neural network

Experiments with neural networks (Part 5): Normalizing inputs for passing to a neural network

Neural networks are an ultimate tool in traders' toolkit. Let's check if this assumption is true. MetaTrader 5 is approached as a self-sufficient medium for using neural networks in trading. A simple explanation is provided.
preview
Price Movement: Mathematical Models and Technical Analysis

Price Movement: Mathematical Models and Technical Analysis

Forecasting the movements of currency pairs is an important factor in trading success. This article explores various price movement models, analyzes their advantages and disadvantages, and explores their practical application in trading strategies. We will consider approaches that allow us to identify hidden patterns and improve the accuracy of forecasts.
preview
Graph Theory: Dijkstra's Algorithm Applied in Trading

Graph Theory: Dijkstra's Algorithm Applied in Trading

Dijkstra's algorithm, a classic shortest-path solution in graph theory, can optimize trading strategies by modeling market networks. Traders can use it to find the most efficient routes in the candlestick chart data.
preview
Data Science and Machine Learning (Part 06): Gradient Descent

Data Science and Machine Learning (Part 06): Gradient Descent

The gradient descent plays a significant role in training neural networks and many machine learning algorithms. It is a quick and intelligent algorithm despite its impressive work it is still misunderstood by a lot of data scientists let's see what it is all about.
preview
Neural Networks in Trading: A Multi-Agent System with Conceptual Reinforcement (FinCon)

Neural Networks in Trading: A Multi-Agent System with Conceptual Reinforcement (FinCon)

We invite you to explore the FinCon framework, which is a a Large Language Model (LLM)-based multi-agent system. The framework uses conceptual verbal reinforcement to improve decision making and risk management, enabling effective performance on a variety of financial tasks.
preview
Creating a Dynamic Multi-Symbol, Multi-Period Relative Strength Indicator (RSI) Indicator Dashboard in MQL5

Creating a Dynamic Multi-Symbol, Multi-Period Relative Strength Indicator (RSI) Indicator Dashboard in MQL5

In this article, we develop a dynamic multi-symbol, multi-period RSI indicator dashboard in MQL5, providing traders real-time RSI values across various symbols and timeframes. The dashboard features interactive buttons, real-time updates, and color-coded indicators to help traders make informed decisions.
preview
Neural networks made easy (Part 67): Using past experience to solve new tasks

Neural networks made easy (Part 67): Using past experience to solve new tasks

In this article, we continue discussing methods for collecting data into a training set. Obviously, the learning process requires constant interaction with the environment. However, situations can be different.
preview
Modified Grid-Hedge EA in MQL5 (Part IV): Optimizing Simple Grid Strategy (I)

Modified Grid-Hedge EA in MQL5 (Part IV): Optimizing Simple Grid Strategy (I)

In this fourth part, we revisit the Simple Hedge and Simple Grid Expert Advisors (EAs) developed earlier. Our focus shifts to refining the Simple Grid EA through mathematical analysis and a brute force approach, aiming for optimal strategy usage. This article delves deep into the mathematical optimization of the strategy, setting the stage for future exploration of coding-based optimization in later installments.
preview
Data Science and Machine Learning (Part 07): Polynomial Regression

Data Science and Machine Learning (Part 07): Polynomial Regression

Unlike linear regression, polynomial regression is a flexible model aimed to perform better at tasks the linear regression model could not handle, Let's find out how to make polynomial models in MQL5 and make something positive out of it.
preview
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.
preview
MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 19): Building an Interactive Tools Palette for Chart Drawing

MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 19): Building an Interactive Tools Palette for Chart Drawing

In this article, we build an interactive tools palette in MQL5 for chart drawing, with draggable, resizable panels and theme switching. We add buttons for tools like crosshair, trendlines, lines, rectangles, Fibonacci, text, and arrows, handling mouse events for activation and instructions. This system improves trading analysis through a customizable UI, supporting real-time interactions on charts
preview
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.
preview
Neural networks made easy (Part 32): Distributed Q-Learning

Neural networks made easy (Part 32): Distributed Q-Learning

We got acquainted with the Q-learning method in one of the earlier articles within this series. This method averages rewards for each action. Two works were presented in 2017, which show greater success when studying the reward distribution function. Let's consider the possibility of using such technology to solve our problems.
preview
Introduction to MQL5 (Part 25): Building an EA that Trades with Chart Objects (II)

Introduction to MQL5 (Part 25): Building an EA that Trades with Chart Objects (II)

This article explains how to build an Expert Advisor (EA) that interacts with chart objects, particularly trend lines, to identify and trade breakout and reversal opportunities. You will learn how the EA confirms valid signals, manages trade frequency, and maintains consistency with user-selected strategies.
preview
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.
preview
Developing a Replay System — Market simulation (Part 02): First experiments (II)

Developing a Replay System — Market simulation (Part 02): First experiments (II)

This time, let's try a different approach to achieve the 1 minute goal. However, this task is not as simple as one might think.
preview
Self-Learning Expert Advisor with a Neural Network Based on a Markov State-Transition Matrix

Self-Learning Expert Advisor with a Neural Network Based on a Markov State-Transition Matrix

Self-training EA with a neural network based on a state matrix. We combine Markov chains with a multilayer neural network MLP developed using the ALGLIB MQL5 library. How can Markov chains and neural networks be combined for Forex forecasting?
preview
Neural networks made easy (Part 16): Practical use of clustering

Neural networks made easy (Part 16): Practical use of clustering

In the previous article, we have created a class for data clustering. In this article, I want to share variants of the possible application of obtained results in solving practical trading tasks.
preview
Neural Networks in Trading: An Agent with Layered Memory

Neural Networks in Trading: An Agent with Layered Memory

Layered memory approaches that mimic human cognitive processes enable the processing of complex financial data and adaptation to new signals, thereby improving the effectiveness of investment decisions in dynamic markets.
preview
Neural networks made easy (Part 15): Data clustering using MQL5

Neural networks made easy (Part 15): Data clustering using MQL5

We continue to consider the clustering method. In this article, we will create a new CKmeans class to implement one of the most common k-means clustering methods. During tests, the model managed to identify about 500 patterns.
preview
Data Science and ML (Part 37): Using Candlestick patterns and AI to beat the market

Data Science and ML (Part 37): Using Candlestick patterns and AI to beat the market

Candlestick patterns help traders understand market psychology and identify trends in financial markets, they enable more informed trading decisions that can lead to better outcomes. In this article, we will explore how to use candlestick patterns with AI models to achieve optimal trading performance.
preview
Statistical Arbitrage Through Mean Reversion in Pairs Trading: Beating the Market by Math

Statistical Arbitrage Through Mean Reversion in Pairs Trading: Beating the Market by Math

This article describes the fundamentals of portfolio-level statistical arbitrage. Its goal is to facilitate the understanding of the principles of statistical arbitrage to readers without deep math knowledge and propose a starting point conceptual framework. The article includes a working Expert Advisor, some notes about its one-year backtest, and the respective backtest configuration settings (.ini file) for the reproduction of the experiment.
preview
Neural networks made easy (Part 21): Variational autoencoders (VAE)

Neural networks made easy (Part 21): Variational autoencoders (VAE)

In the last article, we got acquainted with the Autoencoder algorithm. Like any other algorithm, it has its advantages and disadvantages. In its original implementation, the autoenctoder is used to separate the objects from the training sample as much as possible. This time we will talk about how to deal with some of its disadvantages.