EA/Buffer EA/QUICK_START_GUIDE.md

Universal Buffer Reader EA - Quick Start Guide

Version: 2.0 Date: 2025-01-20

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Overview

The Universal Buffer Reader EA is a sophisticated MetaTrader 5 Expert Advisor that reads custom indicator buffers to generate trading signals. It features advanced risk management, partial position closing, breakeven, trailing stops, and state persistence.

Key Features:

• ✅ Custom indicator signal detection
• ✅ Multiple take profit levels with partial closing
• ✅ Breakeven and trailing stop management
• ✅ Time-based trading filters
• ✅ Daily profit target enforcement
• ✅ State persistence across EA restarts
• ✅ Manual trading mode with chart controls
• ✅ Smart logging with error deduplication

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Installation

Step 1: Copy Files to MetaTrader 5

1. Navigate to your MetaTrader 5 data folder:

   • Windows: C:\Users\{Username}\AppData\Roaming\MetaQuotes\Terminal\{TerminalID}\MQL5\
   • Mac: Open MetaTrader 5 → File → Open Data Folder

2. Copy the following files:

   Universal_Buffer_Reader_EA.mq5 → MQL5/Experts/
   Include/LoggingManager.mqh → MQL5/Include/
   Include/SignalDetector.mqh → MQL5/Include/
   Include/TimeFilter.mqh → MQL5/Include/
   Include/MoneyManager.mqh → MQL5/Include/
   Include/RiskManager.mqh → MQL5/Include/
   Include/PartialCloseManager.mqh → MQL5/Include/
   Include/TradeExecutor.mqh → MQL5/Include/
   Include/StateManager.mqh → MQL5/Include/
   Include/UIManager.mqh → MQL5/Include/
   

3. Copy your custom indicator file:

   YourIndicator.ex5 → MQL5/Indicators/
   

Step 2: Compile the EA

1. Open MetaEditor 5 (press F4 in MetaTrader 5)
2. Open Universal_Buffer_Reader_EA.mq5
3. Press F7 or click "Compile"
4. Verify no errors in the "Errors" tab
5. Close MetaEditor 5

Step 3: Enable Algorithmic Trading

1. In MetaTrader 5, go to Tools → Options → Expert Advisors
2. Check "Allow algorithmic trading"
3. Check "Allow DLL imports" (if your indicator requires it)
4. Click OK

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Quick Configuration

Option 1: Indicator Mode (Recommended)

1. Open a chart (e.g., EURUSD H1)

2. Drag Universal_Buffer Reader EA from Navigator → Expert Advisors

3. Click on the chart to open EA settings

4. Configure the following essential parameters:

   General Settings:

   • Trade_Mode: MODE_INDICATOR
   • LotSize: 0.03 (or your preferred lot size)
   • MagicNumber: 24680 (or any unique number)
   • EnableDebugPrints: true (for testing)

   Signal Detection:

   • IndicatorName: "Your Indicator Name" (exact name)
   • BuySignalBuffer: 0 (buffer with buy signals)
   • SellSignalBuffer: 1 (buffer with sell signals)
   • BuySLBuffer: 2 (buffer with buy SL)
   • BuyTP1Buffer: 3 (buffer with buy TP1)
   • BuyTP2Buffer: 4 (buffer with buy TP2)
   • BuyTP3Buffer: 5 (buffer with buy TP3)
   • SellSLBuffer: 6 (buffer with sell SL)
   • SellTP1Buffer: 7 (buffer with sell TP1)
   • SellTP2Buffer: 8 (buffer with sell TP2)
   • SellTP3Buffer: 9 (buffer with sell TP3)

5. Click OK

6. Click the "AutoTrading" button in the toolbar (should be green)

Option 2: Manual Mode

1. Open a chart
2. Drag Universal Buffer Reader EA from Navigator → Expert Advisors
3. Configure:
   • Trade_Mode: MODE_MANUAL
   • LotSize: 0.03
   • MagicNumber: 24680
4. Click OK
5. Click "AutoTrading" button
6. Use the Buy/Sell buttons that appear on the chart

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Indicator Buffer Setup

Your custom indicator must provide the following buffers:

Buffer Index	Purpose	Description
0	Buy Signal	Price level for buy entry (0 = no signal)
1	Sell Signal	Price level for sell entry (0 = no signal)
2	Buy SL	Stop loss for buy orders
3	Buy TP1	First take profit for buy orders
4	Buy TP2	Second take profit for buy orders
5	Buy TP3	Third take profit for buy orders
6	Sell SL	Stop loss for sell orders
7	Sell TP1	First take profit for sell orders
8	Sell TP2	Second take profit for sell orders
9	Sell TP3	Third take profit for sell orders

Example Indicator Code:

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Custom Indicator Example                                          |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
#property indicator_buffers 10
#property indicator_plots   2

double BuySignalBuffer[];
double SellSignalBuffer[];
double BuySLBuffer[];
double BuyTP1Buffer[];
double BuyTP2Buffer[];
double BuyTP3Buffer[];
double SellSLBuffer[];
double SellTP1Buffer[];
double SellTP2Buffer[];
double SellTP3Buffer[];

int OnInit() {
    SetIndexBuffer(0, BuySignalBuffer);
    SetIndexBuffer(1, SellSignalBuffer);
    SetIndexBuffer(2, BuySLBuffer);
    SetIndexBuffer(3, BuyTP1Buffer);
    SetIndexBuffer(4, BuyTP2Buffer);
    SetIndexBuffer(5, BuyTP3Buffer);
    SetIndexBuffer(6, SellSLBuffer);
    SetIndexBuffer(7, SellTP1Buffer);
    SetIndexBuffer(8, SellTP2Buffer);
    SetIndexBuffer(9, SellTP3Buffer);
    return(INIT_SUCCEEDED);
}

int OnCalculate(const int rates_total,
                const int prev_calculated,
                const datetime &time[],
                const double &open[],
                const double &high[],
                const double &low[],
                const double &close[],
                const long &tick_volume[],
                const long &volume[],
                const int &spread[]) {

    // Your signal logic here
    // Example: Simple moving average crossover
    // ...

    return(rates_total);
}

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Monitoring the EA

Chart Information

When the EA is running, you'll see:

1. Loss Display (top-left corner):

   • Accumulated Loss: $X.XX
   • Consecutive Losses: X

2. Manual Mode Controls (if in manual mode):

   • Buy button
   • Sell button

Experts Tab

Monitor the Experts tab for:

• Trade execution messages
• Error messages (with deduplication)
• Debug information (if enabled)

Journal Tab

Monitor the Journal tab for:

• EA initialization messages
• EA deinitialization messages
• System-level errors

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Common Tasks

Stop the EA

1. Click the "AutoTrading" button in the toolbar (should turn red)
2. Or right-click on chart → Expert Advisors → Remove

Change Settings

1. Right-click on chart → Expert Advisors → Properties
2. Modify parameters
3. Click OK
4. EA will restart with new settings

View Open Positions

1. Go to Terminal tab → Trade
2. Filter by MagicNumber to see EA trades

Close All EA Trades

1. Go to Terminal tab → Trade
2. Right-click on any EA trade
3. Select "Close by Magic Number" (if available)
4. Or manually close each trade

Reset State

To reset accumulated loss and consecutive losses:

1. Stop the EA
2. Go to Tools → Global Variables
3. Delete variables starting with UnivBufEA_
4. Restart the EA

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Troubleshooting

EA Not Trading

Symptoms: EA is running but no trades are opening

Solutions:

1. Check "AutoTrading" button is green
2. Check EnableTimeFilter - ensure current time is allowed
3. Check DailyProfitTargetPercent - ensure target not reached
4. Check indicator is providing signals (enable EnableDebugPrints)
5. Check Experts tab for error messages

Compilation Errors

Symptoms: Errors when compiling the EA

Solutions:

1. Verify all include files are in MQL5/Include/
2. Verify file paths are correct (use backslashes \\)
3. Check for syntax errors in custom indicator
4. Ensure MetaTrader 5 is up to date

Indicator Not Found

Symptoms: "Indicator not found" error in Experts tab

Solutions:

1. Verify indicator name matches exactly (case-sensitive)
2. Verify indicator is in MQL5/Indicators/
3. Compile the indicator first
4. Check indicator has correct buffer indices

Orders Rejected

Symptoms: Orders are rejected by broker

Solutions:

1. Check LotSize is within broker limits
2. Check account has sufficient margin
3. Increase Slippage parameter
4. Verify symbol is allowed for trading

State Not Persisting

Symptoms: Accumulated loss resets after EA restart

Solutions:

1. Check global variables are not being deleted
2. Verify MagicNumber is consistent
3. Check symbol name is correct
4. Ensure EA is properly closed (not crashed)

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Testing Recommendations

1. Demo Account Testing

Always test on a demo account first!

• Test for at least 1-2 weeks
• Monitor all trades closely
• Check all features are working:
  • Signal detection
  • Order execution
  • Partial closes
  • Breakeven
  • Trailing stops
  • Time filtering
  • Daily profit target

2. Backtesting

1. Open Strategy Tester (press F4 or View → Strategy Tester)
2. Select Universal Buffer Reader EA
3. Select symbol and timeframe
4. Select test period
5. Configure input parameters
6. Click "Start"
7. Review results and optimize parameters

3. Forward Testing

After successful backtesting:

• Test on demo account with live data
• Monitor for 2-4 weeks
• Compare results with backtest
• Adjust parameters if needed

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Safety Tips

1. Start Small: Use small lot sizes initially
2. Monitor Closely: Check trades frequently in first week
3. Use Stop Losses: Always ensure SL is set
4. Test Thoroughly: Never skip demo testing
5. Keep Backups: Save working configurations
6. Review Logs: Check Experts tab regularly
7. Know Limits: Understand broker requirements
8. Stay Updated: Keep EA and indicator updated

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Getting Help

Documentation

• Test Plan: TEST_PLAN.md
• Input Parameters: INPUT_PARAMETERS_REFERENCE.md
• Original MQL4 Code: Indicator Signal EA base code.mq4

Debug Mode

Enable debug prints to see detailed information:

• Set EnableDebugPrints = true
• Monitor Experts tab
• Look for messages with [ClassName] prefix

Common Error Messages

Error	Cause	Solution
"Indicator not found"	Indicator name incorrect	Check exact name in Indicators folder
"Invalid lot size"	Lot size outside broker limits	Adjust LotSize parameter
"Not enough money"	Insufficient margin	Reduce lot size or deposit funds
"Trading not allowed"	Time filter blocking	Check time filter settings
"Daily target reached"	Profit target met	Wait for next day or increase target

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Next Steps

1. ✅ Install the EA
2. ✅ Configure for your indicator
3. ✅ Test on demo account
4. ✅ Monitor and adjust settings
5. ✅ Backtest and optimize
6. ✅ Deploy to live account (when ready)

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Version History

• v2.0 (2025-01-20): Complete rewrite in MQL5 with enhanced features
• v1.0: Original MQL4 version

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Happy Trading! 📈

Last Updated: 2025-01-20 Version: 2.0