Articles on trading system automation in MQL5

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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.

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Developing a Replay System (Part 53): Things Get Complicated (V)

Developing a Replay System (Part 53): Things Get Complicated (V)

In this article, we'll cover an important topic that few people understand: Custom Events. Dangers. Advantages and disadvantages of these elements. This topic is key for those who want to become a professional programmer in MQL5 or any other language. Here we will focus on MQL5 and MetaTrader 5.
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Neural networks made easy (Part 58): Decision Transformer (DT)

Neural networks made easy (Part 58): Decision Transformer (DT)

We continue to explore reinforcement learning methods. In this article, I will focus on a slightly different algorithm that considers the Agent’s policy in the paradigm of constructing a sequence of actions.
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Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 2):  Analytical Comment Script

Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 2): Analytical Comment Script

Aligned with our vision of simplifying price action, we are pleased to introduce another tool that can significantly enhance your market analysis and help you make well-informed decisions. This tool displays key technical indicators such as previous day's prices, significant support and resistance levels, and trading volume, while automatically generating visual cues on the chart.
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Neural networks made easy (Part 23): Building a tool for Transfer Learning

Neural networks made easy (Part 23): Building a tool for Transfer Learning

In this series of articles, we have already mentioned Transfer Learning more than once. However, this was only mentioning. in this article, I suggest filling this gap and taking a closer look at Transfer Learning.
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MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 7): Informational Dashboard for Multi-Symbol Position and Account Monitoring

MQL5 Trading Tools (Part 7): Informational Dashboard for Multi-Symbol Position and Account Monitoring

In this article, we develop an informational dashboard in MQL5 for monitoring multi-symbol positions and account metrics like balance, equity, and free margin. We implement a sortable grid with real-time updates, CSV export, and a glowing header effect to enhance usability and visual appeal.
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Introduction to MQL5 (Part 20): Introduction to Harmonic Patterns

Introduction to MQL5 (Part 20): Introduction to Harmonic Patterns

In this article, we explore the fundamentals of harmonic patterns, their structures, and how they are applied in trading. You’ll learn about Fibonacci retracements, extensions, and how to implement harmonic pattern detection in MQL5, setting the foundation for building advanced trading tools and Expert Advisors.
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Neuro-symbolic systems in algorithmic trading: Combining symbolic rules and neural networks

Neuro-symbolic systems in algorithmic trading: Combining symbolic rules and neural networks

The article describes the experience of developing a hybrid trading system that combines classical technical analysis with neural networks. The author provides a detailed analysis of the system architecture from basic pattern analysis and neural network structure to the mechanisms behind trading decisions, and shares real code and practical observations.
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Integrate Your Own LLM into EA (Part 2): Example of Environment Deployment

Integrate Your Own LLM into EA (Part 2): Example of Environment Deployment

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence today, language models (LLMs) are an important part of artificial intelligence, so we should think about how to integrate powerful LLMs into our algorithmic trading. For most people, it is difficult to fine-tune these powerful models according to their needs, deploy them locally, and then apply them to algorithmic trading. This series of articles will take a step-by-step approach to achieve this goal.
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Neural networks made easy (Part 73): AutoBots for predicting price movements

Neural networks made easy (Part 73): AutoBots for predicting price movements

We continue to discuss algorithms for training trajectory prediction models. In this article, we will get acquainted with a method called "AutoBots".
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Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 74): Building an MQL5 Expert Advisor from Indicator Buffers

Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 74): Building an MQL5 Expert Advisor from Indicator Buffers

This article implements an MQL5 Expert Advisor that connects to a weekend gap indicator via iCustom and CopyBuffer, reading six buffers for buy/sell signals and SL/TP. It validates broker stop-distance rules, handles closed-bar confirmation and duplicate-signal control, and executes orders with a configurable magic number. The EA also includes midpoint stop-loss management and a backtesting procedure so you can verify behavior and adapt parameters to your setup.
Object Approach in MQL
Object Approach in MQL

Object Approach in MQL

This article will be interesting first of all for programmers both beginners and professionals working in MQL environment. Also it would be useful if this article were read by MQL environment developers and ideologists, because questions that are analyzed here may become projects for future implementation of MetaTrader and MQL.
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MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 71): Using Patterns of MACD and the OBV

MQL5 Wizard Techniques you should know (Part 71): Using Patterns of MACD and the OBV

The Moving-Average-Convergence-Divergence (MACD) oscillator and the On-Balance-Volume (OBV) oscillator are another pair of indicators that could be used in conjunction within an MQL5 Expert Advisor. This pairing, as is practice in these article series, is complementary with the MACD affirming trends while OBV checks volume. As usual, we use the MQL5 wizard to build and test any potential these two may possess.
Considering Orders in a Large Program
Considering Orders in a Large Program

Considering Orders in a Large Program

General principles of considering orders in a large and complex program are discussed.
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Implementing of a Breakeven Mechanism in MQL5 (Part 1): Base Class and Fixed-Points Breakeven Mode

Implementing of a Breakeven Mechanism in MQL5 (Part 1): Base Class and Fixed-Points Breakeven Mode

This article discusses the application of a breakeven mechanism in automated strategies using the MQL5 language. We will start with a simple explanation of what the breakeven mode is, how it is implemented, and its possible variations. Next, this functionality will be integrated into the Order Blocks expert advisor, which we created in our last article on risk management. To evaluate its effectiveness, we will run two backtests under specific conditions: one using the breakeven mechanism and the other without it.
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Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 60):  Objective Swing-Based Trendlines for Structural Analysis

Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 60): Objective Swing-Based Trendlines for Structural Analysis

We present a rule-based approach to trendlines that avoids indicator pivots and uses ordered swings derived from raw prices. The article walks through swing detection, size qualification via ATR or fixed thresholds, and validation of ascending and descending structures, then implements these rules in MQL5 with non-repainting drawing and selective output. You get a clear, repeatable way to track structural support and resistance that holds up across market conditions.
Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part IV)
Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part IV)

Expert Advisors Based on Popular Trading Systems and Alchemy of Trading Robot Optimization (Part IV)

In this article the author continues to analyze implementation algorithms of simplest trading systems and introduces recording of optimization results in backtesting into one html file in the form of a table. The article will be useful for beginning traders and EA writers.
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Neural networks made easy (Part 20): Autoencoders

Neural networks made easy (Part 20): Autoencoders

We continue to study unsupervised learning algorithms. Some readers might have questions regarding the relevance of recent publications to the topic of neural networks. In this new article, we get back to studying neural networks.
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Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 60):  Objective Swing-Based Trendlines for Structural Analysis

Price Action Analysis Toolkit Development (Part 60): Objective Swing-Based Trendlines for Structural Analysis

We present a rule-based approach to trendlines that avoids indicator pivots and uses ordered swings derived from raw prices. The article walks through swing detection, size qualification via ATR or fixed thresholds, and validation of ascending and descending structures, then implements these rules in MQL5 with non-repainting drawing and selective output. You get a clear, repeatable way to track structural support and resistance that holds up across market conditions.
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Neural Networks Made Easy (Part 88): Time-Series Dense Encoder (TiDE)

Neural Networks Made Easy (Part 88): Time-Series Dense Encoder (TiDE)

In an attempt to obtain the most accurate forecasts, researchers often complicate forecasting models. Which in turn leads to increased model training and maintenance costs. Is such an increase always justified? This article introduces an algorithm that uses the simplicity and speed of linear models and demonstrates results on par with the best models with a more complex architecture.
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Data Science and ML (Part 42): Forex Time series Forecasting using ARIMA in Python, Everything you need to Know

Data Science and ML (Part 42): Forex Time series Forecasting using ARIMA in Python, Everything you need to Know

ARIMA, short for Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average, is a powerful traditional time series forecasting model. With the ability to detect spikes and fluctuations in a time series data, this model can make accurate predictions on the next values. In this article, we are going to understand what is it, how it operates, what you can do with it when it comes to predicting the next prices in the market with high accuracy and much more.
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Self Optimizing Expert Advisors in MQL5 (Part 17): Ensemble Intelligence

Self Optimizing Expert Advisors in MQL5 (Part 17): Ensemble Intelligence

All algorithmic trading strategies are difficult to set up and maintain, regardless of complexity—a challenge shared by beginners and experts alike. This article introduces an ensemble framework where supervised models and human intuition work together to overcome their shared limitations. By aligning a moving average channel strategy with a Ridge Regression model on the same indicators, we achieve centralized control, faster self-correction, and profitability from otherwise unprofitable systems.
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Statistical Arbitrage Through Cointegrated Stocks (Part 1): Engle-Granger and Johansen Cointegration Tests

Statistical Arbitrage Through Cointegrated Stocks (Part 1): Engle-Granger and Johansen Cointegration Tests

This article aims to provide a trader-friendly, gentle introduction to the most common cointegration tests, along with a simple guide to understanding their results. The Engle-Granger and Johansen cointegration tests can reveal statistically significant pairs or groups of assets that share long-term dynamics. The Johansen test is especially useful for portfolios with three or more assets, as it calculates the strength of cointegrating vectors all at once.
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Creating Custom Indicators in MQL5 (Part 4): Smart WaveTrend Crossover with Dual Oscillators

Creating Custom Indicators in MQL5 (Part 4): Smart WaveTrend Crossover with Dual Oscillators

In this article, we develop a custom indicator in MQL5 called Smart WaveTrend Crossover, utilizing dual WaveTrend oscillators—one for generating crossover signals and another for trend filtering—with customizable parameters for channel, average, and moving average lengths. The indicator plots colored candles based on the trend direction, displays buy and sell arrow signals on crossovers, and includes options to enable trend confirmation and adjust visual elements like colors and offsets.
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Developing a multi-currency Expert Advisor (Part 2): Transition to virtual positions of trading strategies

Developing a multi-currency Expert Advisor (Part 2): Transition to virtual positions of trading strategies

Let's continue developing a multi-currency EA with several strategies working in parallel. Let's try to move all the work associated with opening market positions from the strategy level to the level of the EA managing the strategies. The strategies themselves will trade only virtually, without opening market positions.
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Finding custom currency pair patterns in Python using MetaTrader 5

Finding custom currency pair patterns in Python using MetaTrader 5

Are there any repeating patterns and regularities in the Forex market? I decided to create my own pattern analysis system using Python and MetaTrader 5. A kind of symbiosis of math and programming for conquering Forex.
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Creating a market making algorithm in MQL5

Creating a market making algorithm in MQL5

How do market makers work? Let's consider this issue and create a primitive market-making algorithm.
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Neural Networks in Trading: An Ensemble of Agents with Attention Mechanisms (Final Part)

Neural Networks in Trading: An Ensemble of Agents with Attention Mechanisms (Final Part)

In the previous article, we introduced the multi-agent adaptive framework MASAAT, which uses an ensemble of agents to perform cross-analysis of multimodal time series at different data scales. Today we will continue implementing the approaches of this framework in MQL5 and bring this work to a logical conclusion.
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Neural Networks in Trading: Optimizing the Transformer for Time Series Forecasting (LSEAttention)

Neural Networks in Trading: Optimizing the Transformer for Time Series Forecasting (LSEAttention)

The LSEAttention framework offers improvements to the Transformer architecture. It was designed specifically for long-term multivariate time series forecasting. The approaches proposed by the authors of the method can be applied to solve problems of entropy collapse and learning instability, which are often encountered with vanilla Transformer.
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MQL5 Trading Toolkit (Part 1): Developing A Positions Management EX5 Library

MQL5 Trading Toolkit (Part 1): Developing A Positions Management EX5 Library

Learn how to create a developer's toolkit for managing various position operations with MQL5. In this article, I will demonstrate how to create a library of functions (ex5) that will perform simple to advanced position management operations, including automatic handling and reporting of the different errors that arise when dealing with position management tasks with MQL5.
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Developing a multi-currency Expert Advisor (Part 13): Automating the second stage — selection into groups

Developing a multi-currency Expert Advisor (Part 13): Automating the second stage — selection into groups

We have already implemented the first stage of the automated optimization. We perform optimization for different symbols and timeframes according to several criteria and store information about the results of each pass in the database. Now we are going to select the best groups of parameter sets from those found at the first stage.
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From Novice to Expert: Statistical Validation of Supply and Demand Zones

From Novice to Expert: Statistical Validation of Supply and Demand Zones

Today, we uncover the often overlooked statistical foundation behind supply and demand trading strategies. By combining MQL5 with Python through a Jupyter Notebook workflow, we conduct a structured, data-driven investigation aimed at transforming visual market assumptions into measurable insights. This article covers the complete research process, including data collection, Python-based statistical analysis, algorithm design, testing, and final conclusions. To explore the methodology and findings in detail, read the full article.
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Neural Networks in Trading: Hybrid Graph Sequence Models (GSM++)

Neural Networks in Trading: Hybrid Graph Sequence Models (GSM++)

Hybrid graph sequence models (GSM++) combine the advantages of different architectures to provide high-fidelity data analysis and optimized computational costs. These models adapt effectively to dynamic market data, improving the presentation and processing of financial information.
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MQL5 Trading Toolkit (Part 8): How to Implement and Use the History Manager EX5 Library in Your Codebase

MQL5 Trading Toolkit (Part 8): How to Implement and Use the History Manager EX5 Library in Your Codebase

Discover how to effortlessly import and utilize the History Manager EX5 library in your MQL5 source code to process trade histories in your MetaTrader 5 account in this series' final article. With simple one-line function calls in MQL5, you can efficiently manage and analyze your trading data. Additionally, you will learn how to create different trade history analytics scripts and develop a price-based Expert Advisor as practical use-case examples. The example EA leverages price data and the History Manager EX5 library to make informed trading decisions, adjust trade volumes, and implement recovery strategies based on previously closed trades.
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Developing a trading Expert Advisor from scratch (Part 27): Towards the future (II)

Developing a trading Expert Advisor from scratch (Part 27): Towards the future (II)

Let's move on to a more complete order system directly on the chart. In this article, I will show a way to fix the order system, or rather, to make it more intuitive.
How to Cut an EA Code for an Easier Life and Fewer Errors
How to Cut an EA Code for an Easier Life and Fewer Errors

How to Cut an EA Code for an Easier Life and Fewer Errors

A simple concept described in the article allows those developing automated trading systems in MQL4 to simplify existing trading systems, as well as reduce time needed for development of new systems due to shorter codes.
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Neural Networks Made Easy (Part 87): Time Series Patching

Neural Networks Made Easy (Part 87): Time Series Patching

Forecasting plays an important role in time series analysis. In the new article, we will talk about the benefits of time series patching.
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Overcoming The Limitation of Machine Learning (Part 5): A Quick Recap of Time Series Cross Validation

Overcoming The Limitation of Machine Learning (Part 5): A Quick Recap of Time Series Cross Validation

In this series of articles, we look at the challenges faced by algorithmic traders when deploying machine-learning-powered trading strategies. Some challenges within our community remain unseen because they demand deeper technical understanding. Today’s discussion acts as a springboard toward examining the blind spots of cross-validation in machine learning. Although often treated as routine, this step can easily produce misleading or suboptimal results if handled carelessly. This article briefly revisits the essentials of time series cross-validation to prepare us for more in-depth insight into its hidden blind spots.
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Neural Networks in Trading: A Multimodal, Tool-Augmented Agent for Financial Markets (Final Part)

Neural Networks in Trading: A Multimodal, Tool-Augmented Agent for Financial Markets (Final Part)

We continue to develop the algorithms for FinAgent, a multimodal financial trading agent designed to analyze multimodal market dynamics data and historical trading patterns.
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Developing a multi-currency Expert Advisor (Part 12): Developing prop trading level risk manager

Developing a multi-currency Expert Advisor (Part 12): Developing prop trading level risk manager

In the EA being developed, we already have a certain mechanism for controlling drawdown. But it is probabilistic in nature, as it is based on the results of testing on historical price data. Therefore, the drawdown can sometimes exceed the maximum expected values (although with a small probability). Let's try to add a mechanism that ensures guaranteed compliance with the specified drawdown level.
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Developing a multi-currency Expert Advisor (Part 19): Creating stages implemented in Python

Developing a multi-currency Expert Advisor (Part 19): Creating stages implemented in Python

So far we have considered the automation of launching sequential procedures for optimizing EAs exclusively in the standard strategy tester. But what if we would like to perform some handling of the obtained data using other means between such launches? We will attempt to add the ability to create new optimization stages performed by programs written in Python.