Price action · EA-026 · v1.00
PipFix IctOptimalTradeEntry
Buys the 62-79% retracement of an impulsive leg
Backtest
XAUUSD · M30 · 2024-09-01 to 2026-09-01
- Net profit
- $4,748
- Profit factor
- 1.14
- Relative drawdown
- 16.90%
- Trades
- 652
- Win rate
- 55.06%
- Modelling quality
- 98%
Test conditions. Symbol XAUUSD, timeframe M30, 2024-09-01 to 2026-09-01, initial balance $10,000, spread 1 minute OHLC, modelling quality 98%, run on Exness-MT5Real39. Past results do not predict future results.
Publish gate
| Criterion | Measured | Needs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed trades ≥ 80 | 652 trades | >= 80 | Pass |
| Profit factor ≥ 1.15 | 1.140 | >= 1.15 | Fail |
| Relative drawdown ≤ 25% | 16.90% | <= 25% | Pass |
| Modelling quality ≥ 90% | 98.00% | >= 90% | Pass |
| Out-of-sample not a catastrophe | true | true in stats.json | Pass |
| Curve not carried by one trade | true | true in stats.json | Pass |
Download
The EA and its set file are free. You just need to be signed in. There is no payment, no checkout and no licence for anything in this library. An account exists so downloads can be rate limited, and so you can be told when an EA you have taken is updated.
Waiting behind the sign-in: ea.ex5 · PipFix_IctOptimalTradeEntry_XAUUSD_M30_BACKTESTED.set
Limitations
Walk-forward validated on XAUUSD M30 only. Tested at 1% risk per trade on Exness data with 1 minute OHLC modelling; a different broker will give different results.
How it works
# PipFix IctOptimalTradeEntry
**Buys the 62-79% retracement of an impulsive leg**
* Product name: `PipFixIctOptimalTradeEntry`
* File: `PipFix_IctOptimalTradeEntry.mq5`
* Category: ICT
* Default timeframe: M30
* Validated on: **XAUUSD M30** (this is the only symbol it was walk-forward tested on)
* Magic number: 8850214
* Martingale / grid / averaging: **NO - none, ever**
* Stop Loss + Take Profit: **attached to every order at the moment it is opened**
* Branding: `pipfixalgo.com` watermark locked to the chart
---
## 1. What this robot does
Optimal trade entry is the deep part of a retracement - between 62% and 79% of the last impulsive leg. Entering there gives the tightest stop and the best reward for the same target, which is the whole point of waiting rather than chasing.
## 2. Exact trading rules
1. Identify the last impulsive leg between a confirmed swing low and swing high.
2. The leg must be at least 2.0 x ATR to be worth trading.
3. In a bullish leg, BUY when price retraces into the 62-79% zone.
4. In a bearish leg, SELL when price retraces into the same zone.
5. Stop Loss 1.5 x ATR beyond the leg origin, Take Profit 3.0 x ATR.
## 3. Risk management built in
| Protection | What it does |
|---|---|
| Percent risk sizing | Lot size is calculated from `InpRiskPercent` and the real stop distance, so every trade risks the same fraction of the balance. |
| Fixed lot mode | Set `InpUseRiskPercent = false` to use `InpFixedLot` instead. |
| Hard lot cap | `InpMaxLot` can never be exceeded, whatever the balance. |
| One position rule | `InpMaxOpenTrades` (default 1) - no stacking, no averaging down. |
| Daily loss stop | Trading halts for the rest of the day after `InpDailyLossStopPct` percent loss. |
| Daily trade cap | `InpMaxTradesPerDay` limits overtrading (0 = unlimited). |
| Spread guard | No entry while spread is above `InpMaxSpreadPoints`. |
| Break-even | Stop moves to entry after `InpBE_ATR` x ATR of profit. |
| ATR trailing stop | Locks in profit as the move extends. |
**No martingale guarantee.** The position size function of this EA reads only the account balance, the
risk percent and the stop distance. It never reads the result of the previous trade, so a loss can
never increase the next lot size. There is no grid, no hedge basket and no recovery multiplier
anywhere in the code.
## 4. Parameters
| Parameter | Default | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| `InpTF` | `30` | Working timeframe |
| `InpAllowLong` | `true` | Allow BUY trades |
| `InpAllowShort` | `true` | Allow SELL trades |
| `InpUseStrategyExit` | `false` | Close early on opposite signal |
| `InpWing` | `2` | Bars either side that define a swing |
| `InpLookback` | `45` | How far back to search for the leg |
| `InpFibLow` | `62.0` | Lower edge of the entry window, % |
| `InpFibHigh` | `79.0` | Upper edge of the entry window, % |
| `InpMinLegATR` | `2.0` | The leg must be at least ATR x this |
| `InpUseRiskPercent` | `true` | Size position from % risk (false = fixed lot) |
| `InpRiskPercent` | `1.0` | Risk per trade, % of balance |
| `InpFixedLot` | `0.10` | Fixed lot when % risk is off |
| `InpMaxLot` | `5.0` | Hard maximum lot |
| `InpMaxOpenTrades` | `1` | Max simultaneous positions of this EA |
| `InpMaxTradesPerDay` | `0` | Max entries per day (0 = unlimited) |
| `InpDailyLossStopPct` | `5.0` | Stop for the day after this % loss (0 = off) |
| `InpATRPeriod` | `14` | ATR period for stops |
| `InpSL_ATR` | `1.5` | Stop Loss = ATR x this |
| `InpTP_ATR` | `3.0` | Take Profit = ATR x this |
| `InpMinSLPoints` | `80` | Minimum SL distance in points |
| `InpUseBreakEven` | `true` | Move SL to break-even |
| `InpBE_ATR` | `1.0` | Break-even trigger = ATR x this |
| `InpUseTrailing` | `true` | ATR trailing stop |
| `InpTrail_ATR` | `1.5` | Trailing distance = ATR x this |
| `InpMaxSpreadPoints` | `30` | Max allowed spread in points |
| `InpUseTimeFilter` | `false` | Restrict trading hours (server time) |
| `InpStartHour` | `7` | Trading start hour |
| `InpEndHour` | `20` | Trading end hour |
| `InpAvoidFriday` | `false` | No new trades on Friday |
| `InpMagic` | `8850214` | Magic number - keep unique per chart |
| `InpTradeComment` | `PipFix IctOptimalTradeEntry` | Order comment |
| `InpSlippage` | `20` | Max deviation in points |
## 5. Installation
The robot ships **compiled**. There is nothing to build and no source file to copy.
1. In MetaTrader 5: **File -> Open Data Folder** -> open `MQL5\Experts\` -> create a folder `PipFix`
2. Copy **`PipFix_IctOptimalTradeEntry.ex5`** into it
3. Refresh the **Navigator** panel (right-click -> Refresh), then drag **PipFix IctOptimalTradeEntry** onto a
**M30** chart of **XAUUSD**
4. On the **Common** tab tick **Allow Algo Trading**
5. On the **Inputs** tab press **Load** and select
**`Settings/PipFix_IctOptimalTradeEntry_XAUUSD_M30_BACKTESTED.set`**
(or the `_LOWRISK` version for half the risk)
6. Make sure the **Algo Trading** button in the toolbar is green
## 6. How to reproduce the backtest
1. **View -> Strategy Tester** (Ctrl+R).
2. Expert: `PipFix\PipFix_IctOptimalTradeEntry`, Symbol: **XAUUSD**, Period: **M30**.
3. Modelling: *Every tick based on real ticks* (or *1 minute OHLC* for a fast first pass).
4. Set the date range, deposit and leverage you want to publish, load the `.set` file, press **Start**.
5. When it finishes, open the **Backtest** tab, right-click -> **Report** to save the HTML/XML report.
The measured results for this EA are in `Backtest/BACKTEST_RESULTS.md` in this folder, together with
the report screenshots. Those numbers come from an actual Strategy Tester run - the settings, symbol,
period and date range used are printed at the top of that file so anyone can repeat it.
## 7. Honest notes
* Past backtest performance is not a promise of future results. Spread, swap and execution differ
between brokers, and a different broker will produce a different curve.
* This robot trades one position at a time with a fixed stop. It is designed to survive, not to
produce a straight equity line.
* Use it on a demo account for at least a few weeks before risking real money.
---
(c) pipfixalgo.com - PipFix IctOptimalTradeEntry v1.00
**Best conditions:** M30 and H1. Deep retracements are rarer but the reward-to-risk is far better.
**Buys the 62-79% retracement of an impulsive leg**
* Product name: `PipFixIctOptimalTradeEntry`
* File: `PipFix_IctOptimalTradeEntry.mq5`
* Category: ICT
* Default timeframe: M30
* Validated on: **XAUUSD M30** (this is the only symbol it was walk-forward tested on)
* Magic number: 8850214
* Martingale / grid / averaging: **NO - none, ever**
* Stop Loss + Take Profit: **attached to every order at the moment it is opened**
* Branding: `pipfixalgo.com` watermark locked to the chart
---
## 1. What this robot does
Optimal trade entry is the deep part of a retracement - between 62% and 79% of the last impulsive leg. Entering there gives the tightest stop and the best reward for the same target, which is the whole point of waiting rather than chasing.
## 2. Exact trading rules
1. Identify the last impulsive leg between a confirmed swing low and swing high.
2. The leg must be at least 2.0 x ATR to be worth trading.
3. In a bullish leg, BUY when price retraces into the 62-79% zone.
4. In a bearish leg, SELL when price retraces into the same zone.
5. Stop Loss 1.5 x ATR beyond the leg origin, Take Profit 3.0 x ATR.
## 3. Risk management built in
| Protection | What it does |
|---|---|
| Percent risk sizing | Lot size is calculated from `InpRiskPercent` and the real stop distance, so every trade risks the same fraction of the balance. |
| Fixed lot mode | Set `InpUseRiskPercent = false` to use `InpFixedLot` instead. |
| Hard lot cap | `InpMaxLot` can never be exceeded, whatever the balance. |
| One position rule | `InpMaxOpenTrades` (default 1) - no stacking, no averaging down. |
| Daily loss stop | Trading halts for the rest of the day after `InpDailyLossStopPct` percent loss. |
| Daily trade cap | `InpMaxTradesPerDay` limits overtrading (0 = unlimited). |
| Spread guard | No entry while spread is above `InpMaxSpreadPoints`. |
| Break-even | Stop moves to entry after `InpBE_ATR` x ATR of profit. |
| ATR trailing stop | Locks in profit as the move extends. |
**No martingale guarantee.** The position size function of this EA reads only the account balance, the
risk percent and the stop distance. It never reads the result of the previous trade, so a loss can
never increase the next lot size. There is no grid, no hedge basket and no recovery multiplier
anywhere in the code.
## 4. Parameters
| Parameter | Default | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| `InpTF` | `30` | Working timeframe |
| `InpAllowLong` | `true` | Allow BUY trades |
| `InpAllowShort` | `true` | Allow SELL trades |
| `InpUseStrategyExit` | `false` | Close early on opposite signal |
| `InpWing` | `2` | Bars either side that define a swing |
| `InpLookback` | `45` | How far back to search for the leg |
| `InpFibLow` | `62.0` | Lower edge of the entry window, % |
| `InpFibHigh` | `79.0` | Upper edge of the entry window, % |
| `InpMinLegATR` | `2.0` | The leg must be at least ATR x this |
| `InpUseRiskPercent` | `true` | Size position from % risk (false = fixed lot) |
| `InpRiskPercent` | `1.0` | Risk per trade, % of balance |
| `InpFixedLot` | `0.10` | Fixed lot when % risk is off |
| `InpMaxLot` | `5.0` | Hard maximum lot |
| `InpMaxOpenTrades` | `1` | Max simultaneous positions of this EA |
| `InpMaxTradesPerDay` | `0` | Max entries per day (0 = unlimited) |
| `InpDailyLossStopPct` | `5.0` | Stop for the day after this % loss (0 = off) |
| `InpATRPeriod` | `14` | ATR period for stops |
| `InpSL_ATR` | `1.5` | Stop Loss = ATR x this |
| `InpTP_ATR` | `3.0` | Take Profit = ATR x this |
| `InpMinSLPoints` | `80` | Minimum SL distance in points |
| `InpUseBreakEven` | `true` | Move SL to break-even |
| `InpBE_ATR` | `1.0` | Break-even trigger = ATR x this |
| `InpUseTrailing` | `true` | ATR trailing stop |
| `InpTrail_ATR` | `1.5` | Trailing distance = ATR x this |
| `InpMaxSpreadPoints` | `30` | Max allowed spread in points |
| `InpUseTimeFilter` | `false` | Restrict trading hours (server time) |
| `InpStartHour` | `7` | Trading start hour |
| `InpEndHour` | `20` | Trading end hour |
| `InpAvoidFriday` | `false` | No new trades on Friday |
| `InpMagic` | `8850214` | Magic number - keep unique per chart |
| `InpTradeComment` | `PipFix IctOptimalTradeEntry` | Order comment |
| `InpSlippage` | `20` | Max deviation in points |
## 5. Installation
The robot ships **compiled**. There is nothing to build and no source file to copy.
1. In MetaTrader 5: **File -> Open Data Folder** -> open `MQL5\Experts\` -> create a folder `PipFix`
2. Copy **`PipFix_IctOptimalTradeEntry.ex5`** into it
3. Refresh the **Navigator** panel (right-click -> Refresh), then drag **PipFix IctOptimalTradeEntry** onto a
**M30** chart of **XAUUSD**
4. On the **Common** tab tick **Allow Algo Trading**
5. On the **Inputs** tab press **Load** and select
**`Settings/PipFix_IctOptimalTradeEntry_XAUUSD_M30_BACKTESTED.set`**
(or the `_LOWRISK` version for half the risk)
6. Make sure the **Algo Trading** button in the toolbar is green
## 6. How to reproduce the backtest
1. **View -> Strategy Tester** (Ctrl+R).
2. Expert: `PipFix\PipFix_IctOptimalTradeEntry`, Symbol: **XAUUSD**, Period: **M30**.
3. Modelling: *Every tick based on real ticks* (or *1 minute OHLC* for a fast first pass).
4. Set the date range, deposit and leverage you want to publish, load the `.set` file, press **Start**.
5. When it finishes, open the **Backtest** tab, right-click -> **Report** to save the HTML/XML report.
The measured results for this EA are in `Backtest/BACKTEST_RESULTS.md` in this folder, together with
the report screenshots. Those numbers come from an actual Strategy Tester run - the settings, symbol,
period and date range used are printed at the top of that file so anyone can repeat it.
## 7. Honest notes
* Past backtest performance is not a promise of future results. Spread, swap and execution differ
between brokers, and a different broker will produce a different curve.
* This robot trades one position at a time with a fixed stop. It is designed to survive, not to
produce a straight equity line.
* Use it on a demo account for at least a few weeks before risking real money.
---
(c) pipfixalgo.com - PipFix IctOptimalTradeEntry v1.00
**Best conditions:** M30 and H1. Deep retracements are rarer but the reward-to-risk is far better.