MAEA/README.md

# MAEA - Moving Average Expert Advisor

Advanced trend-following Expert Advisor for MetaTrader 4 with sophisticated filtering and risk management features.

## 📋 Table of Contents

- [Overview](#overview)
- [Features](#features)
- [Strategy Details](#strategy-details)
- [Installation](#installation)
- [Parameters](#parameters)
- [Usage](#usage)
- [Visual Indicators](#visual-indicators)
- [Risk Management](#risk-management)
- [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting)
- [Disclaimer](#disclaimer)

## 🎯 Overview

MAEA is a sophisticated trading robot that uses Exponential Moving Averages (EMAs) with dynamic border lines to identify trend-following opportunities. The EA includes multiple filters to ensure high-quality trade entries and comprehensive risk management to protect your account.

**Repository:** https://git.moreminimore.com/kunthawat/MAEA  
**Platform:** MetaTrader 4  
**Language:** MQL4  
**Timezone:** Thailand (UTC+7)

## ✨ Features

### Core Strategy
- **5 Visual Indicator Lines:** 3 EMA lines + 2 dynamic Border Lines
- **Breakthrough Signals:** Entry when price breaks through EMA High/Low
- **Pullback Signals:** Enhanced lot sizing after pullback detection
- **Dynamic Lot Sizing:** 0.01 or 0.02 lots based on market behavior
- **Single Order Management:** Prevents over-trading

### Advanced Filters
- **Volume Filter:** Trade only when volume exceeds 20-bar average
- **Spread Filter:** Avoid high spread periods (max 30 points)
- **Multiple Timeframe Filter:** D1 trend confirmation (optional)
- **News Filter:** Avoid specific hours/days (Thailand timezone, optional)

### Risk Management
- **Take Profit:** Target in USD (default $5)
- **Stop Loss:** At dynamic Border Lines
- **Breakeven:** Move SL to entry at 100 points profit
- **Trailing Stop:** Trail by 100 points after breakeven
- **Max Drawdown Protection:** Stop trading at 10% drawdown

## 📊 Strategy Details

### Indicator System

#### EMA Lines (3 Base Lines)
All EMAs use period 30 with different price sources:

1. **EMA High** (Light Blue) - EMA of High prices
2. **EMA Medium** (Yellow) - EMA of Close prices
3. **EMA Low** (Orange) - EMA of Low prices

#### Border Lines (2 Dynamic Lines)
Calculated based on the range between EMAs:

1. **High Border** (Purple) = EMA High + (EMA Medium - EMA Low)
2. **Low Border** (Purple) = EMA Low - (EMA Medium - EMA Low)

**Example Calculation:**
```
EMA High = 3500
EMA Medium = 3400
EMA Low = 3300
Range = EMA Medium - EMA Low = 3400 - 3300 = 100

High Border = 3500 + 100 = 3600
Low Border = 3300 - 100 = 3200
```

### Signal Types

#### 1. Breakthrough Signal
- **Buy Signal:** Close price breaks above EMA High
- **Sell Signal:** Close price breaks below EMA Low
- **Purpose:** Triggers order opening

#### 2. Pullback Signal
- **Buy Pullback:** Price moves down to hit any line, then closes above the line
- **Sell Pullback:** Price moves up to hit any line, then closes below the line
- **Purpose:** Increases lot size when breakthrough occurs in same direction
- **Tracking:** Separate for buy and sell directions

### Order Management
- **Single Order:** Only one order at a time
- **Dynamic Lot Sizing:**
  - 0.01 lot (no pullback before breakthrough)
  - 0.02 lot (pullback occurred before breakthrough)
- **Stop Loss:** At Border Lines (Low Border for buys, High Border for sells)
- **Take Profit:** Target in USD (default $5)
- **Breakeven:** Move SL to entry at X points profit (default 100)
- **Trailing Stop:** Trail by X points after breakeven (default 100)

## 🚀 Installation

1. **Download the EA:**
   - Clone the repository: `git clone https://git.moreminimore.com/kunthawat/MAEA.git`
   - Or download [`MAEA.mq4`](MAEA.mq4) directly

2. **Copy to MT4:**
   - Navigate to your MT4 data folder
   - Go to `MQL4/Indicators` or `MQL4/Experts`
   - Copy [`MAEA.mq4`](MAEA.mq4) to that folder

3. **Compile in MetaEditor:**
   - Open MetaEditor (press F4 in MT4)
   - Open [`MAEA.mq4`](MAEA.mq4)
   - Press F7 to compile
   - Ensure no compilation errors

4. **Attach to Chart:**
   - Open MT4
   - Drag MAEA from Navigator to your chart
   - Recommended timeframe: H1
   - Configure parameters as needed

5. **Enable Auto Trading:**
   - Click "Auto Trading" button in MT4 toolbar
   - Ensure EA is allowed to trade in Tools → Options → Expert Advisors

## ⚙️ Parameters

### EMA Settings
| Parameter | Default | Description |
|-----------|---------|-------------|
| `EMAPeriod` | 30 | EMA period for all lines |

### Lot Settings
| Parameter | Default | Description |
|-----------|---------|-------------|
| `LotSizeNormal` | 0.01 | Lot size without pullback |
| `LotSizePullback` | 0.02 | Lot size with pullback |

### Risk Management
| Parameter | Default | Description |
|-----------|---------|-------------|
| `TakeProfitUSD` | 5.0 | Take profit target in USD |
| `BreakevenPoints` | 100 | Points to trigger breakeven |
| `TrailingStopPoints` | 100 | Trailing stop distance |
| `MaxDrawdownPercent` | 10.0 | Maximum drawdown percentage |

### Filters
| Parameter | Default | Description |
|-----------|---------|-------------|
| `MaxSpread` | 30 | Maximum allowed spread in points |
| `VolumePeriod` | 20 | Period for volume average |
| `UseMTFFilter` | true | Enable MTF filter |
| `UseNewsFilter` | true | Enable news filter |
| `NewsAvoidHours` | "14,15,20,21" | Hours to avoid (Thailand time) |
| `NewsAvoidDays` | "1,5" | Days to avoid (Monday=1, Friday=5) |

### General
| Parameter | Default | Description |
|-----------|---------|-------------|
| `MagicNumber` | 12345 | EA unique identifier |

## 📖 Usage

### Basic Setup
1. Attach MAEA to an H1 chart
2. Adjust parameters according to your risk tolerance
3. Enable Auto Trading
4. Monitor the EA's performance

### Recommended Timeframes
- **Trading Timeframe:** H1 (recommended)
- **Filter Timeframe:** D1 (for MTF filter)

### Currency Pairs
- Works on all major currency pairs
- Best performance on trending pairs (EURUSD, GBPUSD, USDJPY)

### Account Types
- Compatible with any MT4 account type
- Ensure sufficient margin for lot sizes

## 🎨 Visual Indicators

The EA displays 5 lines on your chart:

| Line | Color | Style | Description |
|------|-------|-------|-------------|
| EMA High | Light Blue | Solid | EMA of High prices |
| EMA Medium | Yellow | Solid | EMA of Close prices |
| EMA Low | Orange | Solid | EMA of Low prices |
| High Border | Purple | Dashed | Upper dynamic border |
| Low Border | Purple | Dashed | Lower dynamic border |

### Reading the Indicators
- **Price above all lines:** Strong uptrend
- **Price below all lines:** Strong downtrend
- **Price between lines:** Consolidation/ranging
- **Border Lines:** Dynamic support/resistance levels

## 🛡️ Risk Management

### Take Profit
- Closes order when profit reaches target amount in USD
- Automatically calculated based on lot size and symbol

### Stop Loss
- **Buy Orders:** SL at Low Border Line
- **Sell Orders:** SL at High Border Line
- Moves dynamically as Border Lines update

### Breakeven
- Triggered when profit reaches specified points (default 100)
- Moves Stop Loss to breakeven (entry price)
- Protects profits while allowing room for trend continuation

### Trailing Stop
- Activates after breakeven is reached
- Trails Stop Loss by specified points (default 100)
- Locks in profits as trend continues

### Drawdown Protection
- Calculates drawdown percentage from peak equity
- Stops trading if drawdown exceeds limit (default 10%)
- Resumes trading when drawdown is below limit

## 🔧 Troubleshooting

### EA Not Opening Orders

**Problem:** EA is attached but not opening any orders

**Solutions:**
1. Check if Auto Trading is enabled (green button in MT4 toolbar)
2. Verify EA is allowed in Tools → Options → Expert Advisors
3. Check if filters are too restrictive:
   - Reduce `MaxSpread` if spread is too high
   - Disable `UseMTFFilter` temporarily
   - Disable `UseNewsFilter` temporarily
4. Verify account has sufficient margin
5. Check Experts tab for error messages

### Compilation Errors

**Problem:** EA fails to compile in MetaEditor

**Solutions:**
1. Ensure you're using MT4 (not MT5)
2. Check for missing brackets or semicolons
3. Verify all function names are spelled correctly
4. Update MetaEditor to latest version

### Incorrect Indicator Display

**Problem:** Lines not displaying correctly on chart

**Solutions:**
1. Ensure sufficient historical data (at least 50 bars)
2. Check if `EMAPeriod` is too high for available data
3. Refresh chart (right-click → Refresh)
4. Reattach EA to chart

### Orders Closing Prematurely

**Problem:** Orders closing too early or not reaching TP

**Solutions:**
1. Check if `TakeProfitUSD` is too low
2. Verify `MaxDrawdownPercent` is not too restrictive
3. Check if spread is causing SL hits
4. Review trade logs for closure reasons

### Drawdown Protection Triggering

**Problem:** EA stops trading due to drawdown

**Solutions:**
1. Increase `MaxDrawdownPercent` if too conservative
2. Wait for equity to recover above threshold
3. Review trading strategy and risk settings
4. Consider reducing lot sizes

### Timezone Issues

**Problem:** News filter not working at expected times

**Solutions:**
1. Verify your MT4 server timezone
2. Adjust `NewsAvoidHours` accordingly
3. Thailand timezone is UTC+7
4. Test with different hour values

### Performance Issues

**Problem:** EA slow or causing MT4 lag

**Solutions:**
1. Reduce `EMAPeriod` for faster calculations
2. Disable MTF filter if not needed
3. Close unnecessary charts and indicators
4. Check MT4 and computer performance

## 📝 Best Practices

1. **Start Small:** Begin with minimum lot sizes and conservative settings
2. **Test Thoroughly:** Use demo account before live trading
3. **Monitor Regularly:** Check EA performance and adjust as needed
4. **Keep Records:** Track trades and analyze performance
5. **Stay Informed:** Be aware of market conditions and news events
6. **Use Stop Loss:** Never disable risk management features
7. **Diversify:** Don't rely on a single EA or strategy

## ⚠️ Disclaimer

**IMPORTANT NOTICE:**

Trading Forex and CFDs involves significant risk of loss and may not be suitable for all investors. MAEA is provided as-is without any warranty or guarantee of performance.

- Past performance is not indicative of future results
- Always trade with money you can afford to lose
- Test thoroughly on demo accounts before live trading
- The authors are not responsible for any financial losses
- Use at your own risk

**By using MAEA, you acknowledge that:**
- You understand the risks involved in trading
- You are solely responsible for your trading decisions
- You will not hold the authors liable for any losses
- You have read and understood this disclaimer

## 📞 Support

For issues, questions, or contributions:
- **Repository:** https://git.moreminimore.com/kunthawat/MAEA
- **Issues:** Report bugs or request features via repository issues

## 📄 License

This project is provided for educational and research purposes. Use responsibly and in accordance with your broker's terms of service.

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**Version:** 1.00  
**Last Updated:** 2026-01-02  
**Timezone:** Thailand (UTC+7)