Part 6: Reference Methods & Example Settings
Analytics & Forecasts

Part 6: Reference Methods & Example Settings

10 November 2026, 08:35
Duc Hoan Nguyen
Duc Hoan Nguyen
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About This User Guide

This guide explains the shared settings and trade management features of the MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 robots listed below. Each robot uses its own built-in trading strategy. Signal parameters, available options and preset compatibility can differ by product, version and platform edition.

Robots Covered by This Guide

Use the individual product description to understand the EA's Buy/Sell signals and supported functions.

MT4 & MT5 EA User Guide — Part 6: Reference Trading Methods & Example Settings

EA User Guide - all parts

Telegram support: @dh99trading

Purpose of these presets: The 14 configurations in this article are reference examples showing how to build different trade-management methods with the EA's shared controls. They are not universal settings, optimized configurations or a promise of trading results.

Adapt each example: Adjust it for the financial instrument, broker specifications, account, timeframe and the particular EA's signal logic. Different EAs can produce different entries and results with the same management preset. Read Parts 1–5 to understand each function before combining it with others.

How to Use a Reference Preset

  1. Read the description of your EA and identify how it creates and confirms Buy/Sell signals. Choose the matching MT4 or MT5 edition.
  2. Select the management method below. Read its requirements in the earlier parts before loading or recreating its settings.
  3. Save your current inputs separately. Load a compatible preset in the EA Inputs, or enter the illustrated settings manually if your product uses different labels or does not accept that file.
  4. Review all inputs after loading. Check signal parameters, timeframe, sessions, filters, history, Magic Number and permissions as well as the management values. Do not assume a partial reference file supplies the rest of the strategy.
  5. Adapt the lot allocation, SL/TP distances, units, entry limits and basket behavior to the intended instrument and account.
  6. Inspect the method in Strategy Tester and then on Demo as described in Part 4. Save the adjusted configuration under a name identifying the EA, instrument, timeframe and version.

The filenames below identify the reference examples. They do not imply that a preset from one product or platform edition can be loaded unchanged into every other EA. Use the preset files attached at the end of this article, and review all settings before applying them.

Choose a Method

The numbering moves from one-position configurations to combinations involving multiple positions, Grid and Hedging. It is an order for learning and comparison, rather than a ranking of risk or expected performance.

Preset file Management method Main learning purpose
01. Single position - basic SL TP.set One position; individual ATR SL and RR TP. Check the basic signal-to-entry-to-exit cycle.
02. Single position - close opposing before entry.set Close an opposing position before the next eligible entry. Compare signal-driven exits with SL/TP exits.
03. Single position - trailing by points.set Trail each position using a point distance. Learn activation, distance and update timing.
04. Single position - trailing by TP distance.set Trail each position using a multiple of its TP distance. Relate trailing distances to the individual target.
05. Single position - loss recovery.set Calculate subsequent lot size to recover selected historical losses. Understand history-, cost- and TP-dependent sizing.
06. Multi positions - no lot progression - basket TP.set Multiple eligible entries; Basket TP; no lot progression. Separate basket closing from volume progression.
07. Multi positions - additive lots - basket TP - keep SL TP.set Additive lot progression; individual SL/TP and Basket TP. Observe individual exits alongside a basket target.
08. Multi positions - additive lots - basket TP - no SL TP.set Additive lot progression; Basket TP; individual SL/TP OFF. Observe a basket-managed exit configuration.
09. Multi positions - multiplier lots - basket TP - no SL TP.set Multiplier lot progression; Basket TP; individual SL/TP OFF. Compare additive and multiplicative progression.
10. Grid - point spacing - multiplier lots.set Add same-direction Grid positions by point spacing. Inspect price-distance additions and Grid sizing.
11. Grid - SL distance spacing - multiplier lots.set Add same-direction Grid positions by initial SL distance. Relate Grid spacing to the configured SL reference.
12. Hedging - SL distance - no lot progression.set Open an equal-lot opposite hedge at an SL-distance threshold. Understand linked pairs and basket exits.
13. Hedging - SL distance - multiplier lots.set SL-based Hedging plus progression on subsequent original entries. Separate hedge volume from entry-lot progression.
14. Hedging - SL distance - multiplier lots - basket trailing.set SL-based Hedging plus progression and money-based Basket TSL. Combine linked pairs with a trailing basket exit.

Common Settings and Units

The values below describe the supplied reference files. A saved value is used only when its corresponding method is active.

Setting Reference configuration Meaning
Entry lot sizing Minimum Volume per Balance Uses the symbol's minimum volume as the unit for balance allocation. This is not fixed 0.01-lot sizing or fixed risk per trade.
Balance per minimum-lot unit 2000 in presets 01–04, 06 and 09; 10000 in 05, 07–08 and 10–14 Amounts are in account currency. The two allocations change initial sizing; account balance and symbol volume rules also matter.
Individual SL, when enabled ATR period 200; SL multiplier 5 Used as the individual SL method in the applicable examples. In SL-based Hedging, the initial distance is a reference; broker SL/TP is removed as described below.
Individual TP, when enabled Reward-to-Risk ratio 1 The TP distance equals the SL distance before normalization and execution.
Basket TP, when enabled 100 points Points is the selected basket unit. This is not 100 units of account currency, 100 pips or a guaranteed net profit amount.
Initial entries At bar open; entry limit per bar = 1 These controls do not make all management actions bar-only or determine whether the EA signal uses a closed candle.
Virtual SL/TP OFF The virtual SL/TP feature is not enabled by these presets.
Daily drawdown action OFF The stored percentage basis and value 5 do not activate a daily 5% protection action.
Basket SL OFF The stored value -100 is inactive. It is not a basket loss limit in these reference files.
Maximum managed lot size 0 No cap through this group 08 setting; this is not an aggregate open-volume limit or a substitute for broker volume/margin rules.
Maximum spread 0 The spread filter is disabled in these files. Choose a suitable spread policy separately.
Commission mode OFF This configuration does not mean the broker charges no commission. Review costs and the EA's commission handling in Part 2.

Grid clarification for these reference presets: Maximum orders per grid = 0 means unlimited Grid orders. Maximum open positions = 1 is required for Grid and counts the initial entry; it does not block the additional Grid positions. Zero disables only the Grid order-count cap; it does not disable Grid itself. Use Enable grid trading to turn the method ON or OFF. A finite cap includes the initial position and its additions.

For point-based values, price distance = points × the instrument's Point value. Check the exact symbol specifications; the same point count, minimum lot or account-currency value does not represent the same exposure on every market.

Reference Configurations

01. Single position with basic SL/TP

Preset file: 01. Single position - basic SL TP.set

Method: Start with one eligible position and individual exits. Grid, Hedging, volume progression, trailing, basket exits and automatic opposing-position closing are OFF.

Setting Reference value
Entry lot sizing method Minimum Volume per Balance
Balance per fixed/minimum lot 2000.0 (account currency)
ATR period 200
Stop-loss calculation method ATR
Stop-loss ATR multiplier 5.0
Take-profit calculation method Reward-to-Risk
Take-profit reward-to-risk ratio 1.0
Maximum open positions 1
Entry limit per bar 1

Observe: Check a Buy and a Sell, their initial lot, SL and TP, and the reason for closing. A TP/SL ratio of 1 refers to price distances, not guaranteed equal net winning and losing amounts after costs.

Adapt: Configure the actual EA signal, allocation, timeframe and SL/TP relationship first. This is the starting point for examples 02–04. Read Part 1: Installation & Risk Controls.

02. Close opposing position before entry

Preset file: 02. Single position - close opposing before entry.set

Method: Keep the basic ATR SL and RR TP, and allow an eligible new entry to close an existing opposing position before entry.

Setting Reference value
Automatic closing mode Close OPPOSING order before ENTRY
Stop-loss calculation method ATR
Take-profit calculation method Reward-to-Risk
Maximum open positions 1

Observe: An eligible Sell entry can close an existing Buy before opening the Sell, and vice versa. This mode closes before entry after entry conditions are satisfied; it is different from closing as soon as an opposing signal appears. The EA performs the opposing-position close before entry, so the one-position limit is compatible with this method.

Adapt: Decide whether exits should depend on an eligible entry or on the raw signal state, including how filters affect that distinction. See Closing Rules in Part 2: Trade Management — Grid & Hedging.

03. Per-position trailing by points

Preset file: 03. Single position - trailing by points.set

Method: Keep individual SL/TP and trail each position using points.

Setting Reference value
Trailing stop mode Per-position trailing
Trailing stop calculation basis Points
Activation threshold 20
Trail distance 20
Minimum step 0.0
Update trailing stop only on a new bar false — eligible updates may occur on Ticks

Observe: Activation and trail distance are both 20 points. Step 0 permits updates at each eligible check; false for new-bar-only updates allows Tick-based management even though initial entries are checked at bar open.

Adapt: Reassess both point values against the symbol's price increment, spread and permitted stop distances. Grid and Hedging remain OFF. See Trailing Stop in Part 1: Installation & Risk Controls.

04. Per-position trailing by TP distance

Preset file: 04. Single position - trailing by TP distance.set

Method: Trail each position with thresholds expressed as multiples of its individual TP distance.

Setting Reference value
Trailing stop mode Per-position trailing
Trailing stop calculation basis TP-distance multiple
Activation threshold 0.5
Trail distance 0.5
Minimum step 0.0
Take-profit calculation method Reward-to-Risk
Take-profit reward-to-risk ratio 1.0

Observe: Start 0.5 and Stop 0.5 mean half the TP distance. If a position has a TP distance of 1000 points, the example activates after a 500-point favorable move and trails at a 500-point distance. In simple distance arithmetic, the first adjustment is around the entry price; that is not a guarantee of net breakeven after costs and execution.

Adapt: Keep a valid individual TP and per-position trailing. Changing RR changes the TP distance and therefore these trailing distances. Do not combine TP-distance trailing with Grid, Hedging or basket trailing. See Part 1: Installation & Risk Controls and the compatibility table in Part 4: Control Panels & Backtesting.

05. Single-position loss recovery

Preset file: 05. Single position - loss recovery.set

Method: Use Recover to calculate the next lot from losses in the selected history and the potential result at the configured individual TP.

Setting Reference value
Balance per fixed/minimum lot 10000 (account currency)
Volume management mode Recover
Maximum managed lot size 0 — no cap through this setting
Maximum open positions 1
Take-profit calculation method Reward-to-Risk
Automatic closing mode OFF
Basket take-profit mode OFF
Basket stop-loss mode OFF

Observe: Recover is not a fixed doubling rule. Compare the selected historical loss, commission treatment, TP distance and resulting lot. The individual SL remains ATR-based; Grid and Hedging are OFF.

Adapt: Review history scope, Magic Number and the maximum managed lot setting. A lot cap can prevent the intended amount from being recovered in one winning trade; the method does not guarantee recovery. Keep the required one-position limit, individual TP, and incompatible features OFF. Read Volume Management in Part 2: Trade Management — Grid & Hedging and history/testing in Part 4: Control Panels & Backtesting.

06. Multiple positions without lot progression

Preset file: 06. Multi positions - no lot progression - basket TP.set

Method: Allow multiple eligible signal entries and close the managed basket at its point-based profit target, without progressing lots through group 08.

Setting Reference value
Volume management mode OFF — no lot progression through this feature
Stop-loss calculation method OFF
Take-profit calculation method OFF
Basket take-profit mode Points
Basket take-profit value 100.0
Basket stop-loss mode OFF
Maximum open positions 0 — unlimited
Entry limit per bar 1

Observe: Additional initial entries still depend on the EA signal and entry conditions. They are not automatic Grid additions. OFF for volume management does not guarantee identical lots: the balance-based entry-lot method can still change the base lot.

Adapt: Review position limits, lot allocation and the intended basket exit. Individual SL/TP and Basket SL are OFF in this file. Basket closing concerns the same symbol/Magic management scope described in Part 2: Trade Management — Grid & Hedging.

07. Multiple positions with additive lots and individual SL/TP

Preset file: 07. Multi positions - additive lots - basket TP - keep SL TP.set

Method: Combine multiple eligible entries, additive volume management, individual ATR SL/RR TP and Basket TP.

Setting Reference value
Balance per fixed/minimum lot 10000 (account currency)
Volume management mode Add
Lot increment 0.01
Stop-loss calculation method ATR
Take-profit calculation method Reward-to-Risk
Basket take-profit mode Points
Basket take-profit value 100.0
Maximum open positions 0 — unlimited

Observe: Individual positions may reach their own SL/TP before the basket target is reached. In group 08 Add mode, progression follows the applicable losing sequence; it is not a promise that every newly opened position is larger. As explained in Part 2, a winning trade returns sizing to the initial method.

Adapt: Check which exit acts first and how closing outcomes affect lot progression. An increment of 0.01 must fit the symbol volume step. Read Volume Management and Closing Rules in Part 2: Trade Management — Grid & Hedging.

08. Multiple positions with additive lots, without individual SL/TP

Preset file: 08. Multi positions - additive lots - basket TP - no SL TP.set

Method: Use the same additive-lot management as example 07, with individual SL/TP turned OFF and Basket TP as the configured profit exit.

Setting Reference value
Volume management mode Add
Lot increment 0.01
Stop-loss calculation method OFF
Take-profit calculation method OFF
Basket take-profit mode Points
Basket take-profit value 100.0
Basket stop-loss mode OFF
Maximum open positions 0 — unlimited

Observe: Compare this file with example 07 to see the effect of removing individual exits. Entry additions still require the signal/entry rules; Grid and Hedging remain OFF.

Adapt: Define the intended limit and loss-exit policy before using a basket-only configuration. This file has no individual SL, no Basket SL and no daily drawdown action enabled. See Part 1: Installation & Risk Controls and Part 2: Trade Management — Grid & Hedging for the available controls and compatibility.

09. Multiple positions with multiplier lots

Preset file: 09. Multi positions - multiplier lots - basket TP - no SL TP.set

Method: Replace additive progression with multiplier progression, retain Basket TP and leave individual SL/TP OFF.

Setting Reference value
Balance per fixed/minimum lot 2000.0 (account currency)
Volume management mode Multiplier
Lot multiplier 2.0
Maximum managed lot size 0 — no cap through this setting
Stop-loss calculation method OFF
Take-profit calculation method OFF
Basket take-profit mode Points
Basket take-profit value 100.0
Maximum open positions 0 — unlimited

Observe: During an applicable progression sequence, a hypothetical 0.01 lot multiplied by 2 can become 0.02, then 0.04, before symbol normalization and limits. This is group 08 progression, not Grid sizing. Review progression and reset behavior in Part 2.

Adapt: Inspect both individual lot sizes and total open volume. For comparison with example 08, first account for the different base-lot allocations: this file uses 2000, while example 08 uses 10000. Otherwise, a comparison changes both initial sizing and progression.

10. Grid with point spacing and multiplier lots

Preset file: 10. Grid - point spacing - multiplier lots.set

Method: After an initial signal entry, add same-direction Grid positions when price moves against the basket by the selected point spacing. Grid lot progression is configured separately from group 08.

Setting Reference value
Enable grid trading true
Grid spacing method Points
Buy grid spacing in points 100.0
Sell grid spacing in points 100.0
Grid lot progression method Multiplier
Grid lot multiplier 2.0
Maximum orders per grid 0 — unlimited Grid orders
Maximum open positions 1
Basket take-profit mode Points
Basket take-profit value 100.0

Observe: Spacing is measured from the latest Grid position. Both directions use 100 points; the Grid lot multiplier is 2. Individual TP is OFF, while ATR SL remains configured. Maximum open positions = 1 controls the initial entry; it does not limit the Grid to one actual position.

Adapt: Decide whether to retain an unlimited Grid or enter a finite order limit, and adapt spacing and Grid volume to the instrument and account. Keep Hedging, Recover, automatic signal closing and per-position trailing OFF. MT5 requires a Hedging account for these independent positions; check equivalent broker permissions for MT4. Read Grid in Part 2: Trade Management — Grid & Hedging with the zero-limit clarification above.

11. Grid with SL-distance spacing and multiplier lots

Preset file: 11. Grid - SL distance spacing - multiplier lots.set

Method: Use an initial SL-distance multiple for Grid spacing instead of a fixed point distance.

Setting Reference value
Grid spacing method Initial SL-distance multiple
Buy grid spacing (SL multiple) 1
Sell grid spacing (SL multiple) 1
Stop-loss calculation method ATR
ATR period 200
Stop-loss ATR multiplier 5.0
Grid lot multiplier 2.0
Maximum orders per grid 0 — unlimited Grid orders
Maximum open positions 1
Basket take-profit value 100.0

Observe: A multiplier of 1 means one initial SL distance for the applicable Buy or Sell Grid. It does not mean one point. The reference SL is ATR(200) × 5; changes to that SL method or multiplier also change the Grid spacing reference.

Adapt: Keep a valid SL distance, the required initial-entry limit of 1 and the supported basket profit exit. Check both spacing and volume progression together. A new signal does not replace the Grid's price-distance addition rule. Read Part 2: Trade Management — Grid & Hedging and Part 4: Control Panels & Backtesting, applying the clarified meaning that a Grid limit of 0 is unlimited.

12. SL-based Hedging without lot progression

Preset file: 12. Hedging - SL distance - no lot progression.set

Method: Open an opposite hedge automatically when an original position reaches a losing distance equal to its initial SL distance. Group 08 volume progression is OFF.

Setting Reference value
Enable hedging true
Hedging mode Initial SL-distance multiple
Buy hedge trigger (initial SL multiple) 1
Sell hedge trigger (initial SL multiple) 1
Stop-loss calculation method ATR
Volume management mode OFF — no lot progression through this feature
Take-profit calculation method OFF
Basket take-profit mode Points
Basket take-profit value 100.0
Maximum open positions 0 — unlimited

Observe: A losing original Buy can trigger a Sell hedge; a losing original Sell can trigger a Buy hedge. Each hedge copies its original position's lot and does not wait for another opposite signal. These are SL-distance multipliers, not point counts.

SL behavior: Hedging removes broker SL/TP from eligible original positions as they are processed, potentially before the hedge trigger. The initial ATR SL is therefore a distance reference, not an assurance that the original position will close at that price. The hedge is opened without individual SL/TP.

Adapt: Use an account that permits independent opposite positions and inspect linked pairs, actual total positions, costs and basket closing. An equal-lot pair does not recover a locked loss merely through further price movement. Turning Hedging OFF does not close existing pairs or restore removed SL/TP. Read Hedging in Part 2: Trade Management — Grid & Hedging before using this method.

13. SL-based Hedging with multiplier lots

Preset file: 13. Hedging - SL distance - multiplier lots.set

Method: Keep the SL-based hedge trigger and Basket TP from example 12, and enable group 08 multiplier progression for subsequent original entries.

Setting Reference value
Volume management mode Multiplier
Lot multiplier 2.0
Maximum managed lot size 0 — no cap through this setting
Hedging mode Initial SL-distance multiple
Buy hedge trigger (initial SL multiple) 1
Sell hedge trigger (initial SL multiple) 1
Basket take-profit mode Points
Basket take-profit value 100.0

Observe: The factor 2 belongs to entry-volume progression. It does not make a hedge twice the size of its original position: the hedge still copies the original lot. Follow the progression/reset rules and distinguish new signal entries from automatically created hedges.

Adapt: Inspect the volume of each original/hedge pair and aggregate volume across all pairs. Grid, Recover and per-position trailing must remain OFF. The original-SL removal behavior of example 12 also applies. Read Part 2: Trade Management — Grid & Hedging and check the actual managed positions as described in Part 4: Control Panels & Backtesting.

14. SL-based Hedging with multiplier lots and basket trailing

Preset file: 14. Hedging - SL distance - multiplier lots - basket trailing.set

Method: Combine SL-based Hedging and multiplier progression with trailing of the basket from aggregate breakeven. The fixed Basket TP is OFF.

Setting Reference value
Volume management mode Multiplier
Lot multiplier 2.0
Hedging mode Initial SL-distance multiple
Buy hedge trigger (initial SL multiple) 1
Sell hedge trigger (initial SL multiple) 1
Trailing stop mode Basket trailing from aggregate breakeven
Trailing stop calculation basis Account currency
Activation threshold 100
Trail distance 50
Minimum step 0.0
Basket take-profit mode OFF
Basket stop-loss mode OFF

Observe: Start 100 and Stop 50 are in account currency. They are not points or TP multiples. For an account denominated in USD, they are USD amounts; do not assume every account has that denomination. Step 0 permits each eligible trailing update.

Compatibility: Individual TP is OFF. The initial ATR SL remains configured for the supported SL-based Hedging exception; it is the hedge-distance reference and is removed from eligible original positions by the Hedging process. This exception does not permit arbitrary individual SL/TP combinations with Basket TSL.

Adapt: Check the basket result used for activation, trailing updates and closing, alongside actual open exposure and costs. A balanced hedge may not have one unique breakeven market price. The stored Basket TP value 100 is inactive in this file. Read Trailing Stop in Part 1: Installation & Risk Controls, Hedging/Closing in Part 2: Trade Management — Grid & Hedging and feature compatibility in Part 4: Control Panels & Backtesting.

Adapt the Method to the Product and EA Signal

What changes What to review
EA / signal strategy Buy/Sell conditions, signal confirmation, persistence, direction and entry frequency. A preset changes management; it does not turn one EA's signal into another EA's strategy.
Instrument and broker Point value, price precision, tick value, minimum lot, lot step, stop restrictions, spread, commission, swap and available margin.
Timeframe Signal frequency, the ATR distance used by the strategy and the suitability of point/SL/TP-based management distances. Recheck behavior after switching timeframe.
Account and initial sizing Account currency, balance, leverage and volume rules. Reassess the balance allocation rather than copying 2000 or 10000 without context.
Progression and limits Whether lots remain base-sized, add or multiply; managed-lot caps, actual total open volume, initial-entry limits and Grid limits. These controls have different scopes.
Exit and loss handling Which of individual SL/TP, opposing-entry close, basket exits or trailing is active. A displayed line or stored inactive value does not create an exit rule.
Entry filters Sessions, weekdays, holidays, technical/news filters, spread and direction. Use the controls actually supplied with the EA and review Part 3.
Management scope and operation History and Magic Number, existing positions, Pause permissions and whether open-position management remains active. Use a controlled Demo setup when switching methods.

Changing lot sizing: If you choose risk-amount or risk-percentage sizing instead of the balance-based mode, use a compatible SL that supplies a valid price distance, as explained in Part 1. Do not apply that change blindly to the examples with SL OFF. In Hedging, removal of the original broker SL also changes the meaning of the initial risk calculation.

Changing basket units: Re-enter a suitable value when switching between Points, account currency and percentage. The number 100 has a different meaning in each mode. Basket TP must be positive; an enabled Basket SL uses a negative value. Keep the feature-compatibility requirements from Part 4, including the restrictions on Recover.

Validate the Method You Have Built

  1. Confirm entries: Inspect signal timing, direction, filters, base lot and initial SL/TP. Check why an expected entry is accepted or blocked.
  2. Confirm additions and volume: For multiple-position examples, distinguish eligible signal entries, price-driven Grid additions and loss-threshold hedges. Inspect the applicable lot progression and reset, including the equal-lot hedge rule.
  3. Confirm exits: Observe individual exits, opposing-position closing, Basket TP or Basket TSL as applicable. Check inactive exit fields, the management scope and any remaining positions after partial closing requests.
  4. Compare under matching conditions: Keep EA version, signal parameters, symbol, timeframe, history interval, deposit, leverage and cost assumptions consistent. Standardize base-lot allocation if the purpose is to isolate the difference between management methods.
  5. Inspect more than profit: Review drawdown, actual peak position count, open volume, margin usage, costs and time spent with an open basket. Inspect both favorable and adverse sequences without assuming a preset number predicts performance.
  6. Verify on Demo: Check broker execution, account mode, spread, commissions, swaps, Pause/management behavior and logs. In this EA, News Filter and News Panel do not operate in Strategy Tester; check them separately on Demo. Follow the platform-specific testing instructions in Part 4.

EA-managed basket exits, virtual exits and trailing requests need the EA, connection and relevant trade-management permissions to remain active. Review the two Pause permissions in Part 4; Pause is not the same action as Close All.

If the observed behavior differs from the intended method, use Part 5: Messages & Troubleshooting to interpret messages and inspect Experts/Journal before changing several controls at once.

Build Your Own Reference Configuration

Choose a signal strategy first, then define base lot sizing, individual exits, the entry/addition method, volume progression and the final exit method. Add compatible filters and limits, test each change, and save the configuration for the exact product and environment.

Use these 14 examples as building blocks. Their purpose is to show which controls create a method and how those controls interact. A suitable final configuration depends on the EA's signal, the instrument and the conditions under which it will be used.

Telegram support: @dh99trading

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