# Aegis Matrix Parameter Guide
Aegis Matrix is designed to keep the main settings understandable while leaving technical indicator parameters inside the EA.
This guide explains what each visible parameter controls, how it affects trading, and which values are suitable as a starting point.
> Aegis Matrix is not a “Holy Grail” EA. Risk controls can reduce certain types of exposure, but they cannot eliminate losses, drawdown, slippage, gaps, or abnormal market conditions.
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## 1. Lot Settings
### Lot Mode
Selects how the trading volume is calculated.
- `Balance-based dynamic lot`: lot size increases or decreases with account balance.
- `Fixed lot`: every initial order uses the specified fixed volume.
Dynamic sizing is more convenient for proportional account growth, while fixed sizing is easier to evaluate and compare.
### Balance per 0.01 Lot
Defines how much account balance is required for each `0.01` lot when dynamic sizing is selected.
Examples:
| Account balance | Setting | Calculated lot |
|---:|---:|---:|
| $1,000 | 1,000 | 0.01 |
| $2,000 | 1,000 | 0.02 |
| $2,000 | 2,000 | 0.01 |
| $5,000 | 2,000 | 0.025, normalized by broker rules |
A higher value produces a smaller lot size and lower relative exposure.
Suggested values:
- Active: `$1,000 per 0.01 lot`
- Balanced: `$2,000 per 0.01 lot`
- Conservative: `$3,000 or more per 0.01 lot`
The calculation uses account balance, not floating equity.
### Fixed Lot Size
Volume used when `Fixed lot` mode is selected.
Recommended initial value:
`0.01`
Grid positions normally continue using the volume of the active module basket.
---
## 2. Trade Settings
### Pause Entries
Temporarily stops new module entries.
Existing positions are still managed, including:
- Basket targets
- Grid management
- Loss controls
- Trailing profit
- Basket closure
Use this option when you want to stop new baskets without removing the EA.
### Total Positions
Maximum number of Aegis Matrix positions on the current symbol and Magic Number.
- `0`: unlimited
- `10`: no more than 10 managed positions
- `100`: default emergency ceiling
This is a global position limit, not a per-module limit.
### Magic Number
Unique identifier used to recognize Aegis Matrix positions.
Use a different Magic Number when running:
- Another EA on the same symbol
- Another Aegis Matrix instance
- A different configuration on another chart
Do not change the Magic Number while positions are open. The EA may no longer recognize positions opened under the previous value.
### Maximum Spread
Highest permitted spread, measured in points, for a new order.
- `0`: spread control disabled
- Higher value: allows trading during wider spreads
- Lower value: rejects more entries
The correct value depends on the broker’s XAUUSD digits and point size.
This control applies to first entries and grid additions.
### Maximum Slippage
Maximum execution deviation in points.
It is not a guaranteed execution price. Actual fills still depend on broker liquidity, execution rules, and market conditions.
### Order Comment
Base comment added to Aegis Matrix orders.
The EA automatically appends a module tag such as:
`AM_M1`
`AM_M24`
Keep the comment unchanged while positions are open because the module tag is used to assign positions to the correct basket.
### Trading Direction
Controls the permitted order direction.
- `Buy only`: only Buy signals are accepted.
- `Sell only`: only Sell signals are accepted.
- `Direction per module`: each module uses its configured direction or detected pattern direction.
Recommended setting:
`Direction per module`
Changing all modules to Buy or Sell overrides their intended directional allocation and can create concentrated exposure.
### Entry Mode
Controls how oscillator-based modules confirm an entry.
- `Auto`: each module uses its assigned entry mode.
- `Normal`: accepts the normal oscillator condition.
- `Momentum`: requires directional oscillator momentum.
- `Pullback`: waits for a qualifying movement and re-entry.
Recommended setting:
`Auto`
A global override changes the behavior of multiple modules simultaneously and should be evaluated carefully.
---
## 3. Entry Control
These settings apply to a module’s first order. They do not replace the separate grid-management process.
### First-Entry DD and Long-Hold Control
Evaluates whether the current market environment resembles conditions that may produce:
- Prolonged losing baskets
- Strong adverse momentum
- Excessive price extension
- H1/H4 trend conflict
- Large volatility shocks
- Higher drawdown exposure
When enabled, low-quality first entries can be rejected before a new basket is created.
Recommended setting:
`Enabled`
Disabling it increases the number of entries but can also increase the number of difficult baskets.
### First-Entry Trend Control
Aligns the first entry with a broader trend reference.
For the original oscillator modules:
- Buy entries are expected to remain reasonably aligned with the trend.
- Sell entries are expected to remain reasonably aligned with the trend.
- A small ATR buffer prevents minor movements around the EMA from repeatedly blocking signals.
Pattern and Fusion modules also contain their own structural trend logic.
Recommended setting:
`Enabled`
Disable it only when specifically testing unrestricted module signals.
### Peak and Bottom Entry Control
Helps prevent:
- Buying after excessive upward extension
- Selling after excessive downward extension
- Buying into a bearish upper-wick reversal
- Selling into a bullish lower-wick reversal
For oscillator modules, it checks extreme DeMarker conditions. Pattern and Fusion modules also use EMA/ATR distance and reversal-wick information.
Default setting:
`Disabled`
Enabling this control may improve selectivity, but it can reduce trading frequency substantially.
---
## 4. Grid Control
### Grid Trend Control
Evaluates trend conditions before adding deeper grid positions.
The first grid layers follow the normal adaptive spacing logic. From the internally configured control layer onward, the EA checks whether the trend still supports another recovery order.
If the trend is unfavorable, further additions are paused until conditions recover.
Recommended setting:
`Enabled`
This control does not close the basket. It controls additional exposure.
### Maximum Same-Direction Modules
Maximum number of active modules allowed to hold positions in the same direction.
Examples:
- `1`: only one Buy basket and one Sell basket can be active.
- `2`: up to two module baskets may trade in the same direction.
- `0`: unlimited.
Recommended setting:
`1`
This parameter limits correlated exposure. It does not limit the number of positions inside an existing module basket.
---
## 5. Account Control
### Account Drawdown Mode
Defines what happens when total managed floating loss reaches the configured account drawdown limit.
Available modes include:
- `Off`
- `[Percent] Continue after closing`
- `[Percent] Remove after closing`
- `[Percent] Terminal alert`
- `[Money] Continue after closing`
- `[Money] Remove after closing`
- `[Money] Terminal alert`
#### Continue after closing
Closes all managed module positions when the limit is reached. The EA remains attached and may trade again afterward.
#### Remove after closing
Closes all managed positions and removes the EA after successful closure.
#### Terminal alert
Produces a terminal alert without automatically closing positions.
### Account Drawdown Limit
Threshold used by the selected drawdown mode.
Examples:
- Percent mode with `30`: triggers when managed floating loss reaches approximately 30% of account balance.
- Money mode with `500`: triggers when managed floating loss reaches 500 units of account currency.
The calculation covers positions recognized by the current symbol and Magic Number.
A value of `0` disables the threshold.
### Module Loss Mode
Controls the maximum permitted floating loss for an individual module basket.
Options:
- `Off`
- `Percent of balance`
- `Fixed amount in account currency`
Unlike account drawdown control, this closes only the affected module basket.
### Module Loss Limit
Value used by the selected module loss mode.
Examples:
- Percent mode with `5`: closes the module basket near a 5% balance-based loss.
- Fixed amount mode with `200`: closes the module basket near a loss of 200 account-currency units.
A module loss limit can prevent one basket from consuming most of the account’s available risk capacity.
### Maximum Losing-Basket Hours
Maximum time a losing module basket may remain open.
- `0`: disabled
- `24`: closes a losing basket after 24 hours
- `120`: closes a losing basket after 120 hours
The timer starts from the oldest position in the basket.
The time limit only closes the basket when its combined floating result is negative. A profitable basket is not closed by this setting.
---
## 6. News Control
### WebRequest Setup
Displays the data-source address required by the economic-event control:
The address must be allowed in the MetaTrader 5 WebRequest settings.
### News Entry Control
Pauses new orders around qualifying economic events.
The current implementation can also pause grid additions during the event window. Existing positions remain open and normal exit management continues.
Recommended setting:
`Enabled`
### Minimum News Impact
Selects the lowest event importance that activates the pause.
- `Low`: pauses for low, medium, and high-impact events.
- `Medium`: pauses for medium and high-impact events.
- `High`: pauses only for high-impact events.
Recommended setting:
`High`
Using Low or Medium can create long periods without new trading.
### Pause Before News
Number of minutes before an event when new orders are paused.
Suggested range:
`60–120 minutes`
Default:
`120 minutes`
### Resume After News
Number of minutes after an event before new orders are allowed again.
Suggested range:
`60–120 minutes`
Default:
`120 minutes`
Gold volatility may remain elevated after the published event time, so immediate resumption is not always advisable.
---
## 7. Grid Settings
### Grid ATR Multiplier
Controls volatility-based grid spacing.
The EA calculates an ATR-derived distance:
`ATR × Grid ATR Multiplier`
A higher multiplier creates wider spacing and normally produces fewer grid positions.
General interpretation:
- `1.0`: closer and more active
- `1.5`: balanced default
- `2.0`: wider and more selective
The ATR distance cannot reduce spacing below the configured or module-specific minimum.
### Minimum Grid Distance
Smallest permitted grid spacing in points.
The actual spacing is the largest applicable value among:
- Module-specific minimum spacing
- User minimum spacing
- ATR-based spacing
Therefore, setting a small value does not necessarily force the grid to become equally small.
Recommended default:
`300 points`
Always interpret points according to the broker’s XAUUSD digits.
### Grid Layer Expansion
Percentage of additional spacing applied as the basket becomes deeper.
With a base distance of 1,000 points and expansion of 15%:
| Existing positions | Approximate distance |
|---:|---:|
| 1 | 1,000 points |
| 2 | 1,150 points |
| 3 | 1,300 points |
| 4 | 1,450 points |
This helps slow position accumulation during extended adverse movement.
Recommended setting:
`15%`
Higher values reduce deep-layer frequency but require a larger price movement before the next recovery order.
### Positions per Module
Emergency maximum number of positions permitted in one module basket.
- `0`: unlimited
- `5`: initial position plus additions, up to five positions
- `100`: effectively a high emergency ceiling
This parameter is a final exposure ceiling. It should not be used as the primary method for improving a module. Better entry quality and wider adaptive spacing should normally reduce basket depth before the ceiling is reached.
---
## 8. Profit Target
### Single-Position Exit
Determines how eligible single-position modules manage profit.
- `Fixed target`: closes at the normal target.
- `Smart trailing for all modules`: enables smart trailing for every suitable single-position module.
- `Automatic by module`: uses trailing for Fusion and pattern modules while retaining fixed targets for the original mean-reversion modules.
Recommended setting:
`Automatic by module`
Multi-position recovery baskets continue using basket-level profit targets.
### Use Layered Basket Target
Adjusts the target according to the number of positions in a module basket.
When enabled:
- Shallow baskets seek a larger target.
- Deeper baskets accept a smaller recovery target.
- A basket can exit sooner after recovering from a deeper adverse movement.
### One Position Target
Percentage of the module’s base target used when the basket contains one position.
Default:
`120%`
This allows a clean single-position trade to seek additional profit.
### Two Positions Target
Target percentage used for a two-position basket.
Default:
`100%`
### Three Positions Target
Target percentage used for a three-position basket.
Default:
`75%`
The reduced target helps the basket exit after recovery without requiring the full original profit distance.
### Four or More Positions Target
Target percentage used for baskets with four or more positions.
Default:
`50%`
The purpose is capital recovery and controlled basket closure rather than maximizing profit from a deeply layered basket.
---
## 9. Module Settings
### Maximum Active Modules
Maximum number of module baskets that may remain active simultaneously.
- `1`: one active module basket
- `2`: balanced default
- `0`: unlimited
Recommended setting:
`2`
This limit is independent of the maximum same-direction module setting.
For example:
- Maximum active modules: `2`
- Maximum same-direction modules: `1`
This configuration permits one Buy basket and one Sell basket, but prevents two Buy baskets from opening together.
### Module Switches
Each module can be enabled or disabled independently.
Modules 1–22 contain the original oscillator-based configurations with different:
- Timeframes
- Thresholds
- Trading hours
- Directions
- Entry modes
- Target distances
Module 11 is internally disabled.
Module 23 is intentionally reserved to preserve parameter and module alignment.
Additional modules include:
- `Module 24`: Fusion breakout
- `Module 25`: Descending channel
- `Module 26`: Descending triangle
- `Module 27`: Ascending triangle
- `Module 28`: Double bottom
- `Module 29`: Inverse head and shoulders
- `Module 30`: Falling wedge
Disabling a module prevents it from opening new positions. If it already has an active basket, the EA continues managing that basket.
---
## 10. Trading Schedule
### Friday Cutoff
Enables a late-Friday entry cutoff.
When enabled, new entries are blocked after the configured Friday cutoff hour.
Existing baskets continue to be managed.
### Friday Cutoff Hour
Server-time hour when the Friday cutoff begins.
Default:
`22:00`
This uses broker server time, not local computer time.
### Trading Days
Each weekday can be enabled or disabled individually.
A disabled day prevents new entries on that server-calendar day. Existing baskets remain under normal management.
For most Gold brokers:
- Monday–Friday: enabled
- Saturday–Sunday: normally irrelevant because the market is closed
Some brokers may provide unusual weekend symbols or synthetic pricing. Disable weekend trading unless it is intentionally required.
---
## Balanced Starting Configuration
| Parameter | Suggested value |
|---|---|
| Lot mode | Dynamic or Fixed 0.01 |
| Balance per 0.01 lot | 2,000 |
| Trading direction | Direction per module |
| Entry mode | Auto |
| First-entry DD/long-hold control | Enabled |
| First-entry trend control | Enabled |
| Peak and bottom control | Disabled initially |
| Grid trend control | Enabled |
| Maximum same-direction modules | 1 |
| Maximum active modules | 2 |
| Grid ATR multiplier | 1.5 |
| Minimum grid distance | 300 points |
| Grid layer expansion | 15% |
| Profit exit | Automatic by module |
| Layered basket targets | Enabled |
| News control | Enabled |
| Minimum news impact | High |
| Pause before news | 120 minutes |
| Resume after news | 120 minutes |
## Final Notes
Changing several parameters simultaneously makes it difficult to determine which change improved or weakened performance.
A better evaluation process is:
1. Keep fixed lot sizing at `0.01`.
2. Test one module at a time.
3. Keep the original entry direction and mode.
4. Review basket depth, holding duration, drawdown, and trade count.
5. Change only one parameter category at a time.
6. Repeat the test under the same broker conditions.
7. Increase lot size only after risk behavior is understood.
The most active configuration is not necessarily the most profitable configuration. In grid trading, signal quality, basket depth, and capital usage are generally more important than trade count alone.
