Complete Configuration Guide
EA AXIS and LINK Neural for MetaTrader 5
Welcome! In this guide, you will learn step by step how to adjust each parameter of the EAs AXIS and LINK Neural, so that you understand, in a friendly language, how each configuration influences your trading operations.
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Table of Contents
- Trading Symbols
- Timeframe Selection
- Lot Size Strategy
- Slippage and Spread Filter
- Chart Display
- Moving Averages
- Bollinger Bands
- Trade Limit
- Update Frequency
- Trade Control
- Final Tips and Interactive Exercises
- Success Stories
1. Trading Symbols (Symbol Settings)
These parameters define the EA's operations on up to three different instruments (for example, EURUSD, GBPUSD, XAUUSD, etc.).
Key Parameters for Each Symbol
Parameter | Description | Example | Benefit / Risk |
---|---|---|---|
First symbol to trade | Name of the currency pair or asset (depends on the broker). | “EURUSD”, “GBPUSD.m” | Benefit: Focus your operations exactly where you want. Risk: If your broker uses suffixes and you don’t include them (e.g., “.m”, “-ECN”), the EA will not open orders. |
Magic number for the first symbol | Unique identifier for the operations of this EA. | 8834 (or any integer) | Benefit: Prevents conflicts with other EAs or manual trades. Risk: Using the same Magic Number as another EA can cause interference. |
Enable trading for the first symbol | Enables or disables trading on this symbol (true/false). | “true” | Benefit: Allows pausing operations on a pair without modifying the entire EA. Risk: Forgetting to reactivate it could make you miss opportunities. |
Take profit in points for symbol 1 | Distance in points (not pips) for closing a profitable operation. | 450 (equivalent to 45 pips in 5 digits) | Benefit: Sets clear profit targets. Risk: A very short TP can limit profits, a very long one might not be reached. |
Step size for symbol 1 | Separation in points to open additional positions (grid mode) if there is already an open position. | 40 (4 pips in 5-digit brokers) | Benefit: Allows averaging positions against or in favor. Risk: A very small step increases frequency (and thus risk) in volatile markets. |
Lot multiplier coefficient | Indicates how much the lot increases in each additional operation within that grid. | 1.3 | Benefit: Expands profits in staggered operations. Risk: Increasing the lot size too much also multiplies losses if the position goes against you. |
Note: You will find Symbol 2 and Symbol 3 with exactly the same 6 parameters, but applied to each additional instrument. Use different Magic Numbers for each symbol to avoid mixing them.
2. Timeframe Selection (Timeframe Settings)
These settings determine the timeframe on which the EA will base its calculations and, optionally, display it on your chart:
- Automatically set timeframe
- If set to true, the EA will automatically change the chart's timeframe (e.g., to M30).
- Useful when you want uniformity and avoid forgetting to set the chart to the desired timeframe. - Manual timeframe for the strategy
- Select here the timeframe you want (M1, M5, M30, H1, H4...).
- For example, PERIOD_M30 if your strategy is for 30 minutes.
For Beginners: Longer timeframes like H1 or H4 generate less stress and noise.
For Advanced Users: M1 or M5 can be more dynamic, but require stricter risk control.
3. Lot Size Strategy (Lot Size Strategy)
- Initial lot size (applies to all symbols)
- It is the base of your first trade per symbol, before applying multipliers.
- Example: “0.01” in small accounts. Helps to limit initial risk and familiarize yourself with the EA.
Practical Example
If you start with 0.01 and your Lot multiplier is 1.2, the second operation will be 0.012, the third 0.0144, etc. Always check if your broker rounds lots to certain decimals.
4. Slippage and Spread Filters (Slippage and Spread Filters)
They protect your entries during times of high volatility or when the spread is too wide.
Parameter | Description | Example | Benefit / Risk |
---|---|---|---|
Maximum allowed slippage in pips | Maximum tolerance for slippage between your ideal price and execution price. | 5 (0.5 pips) | Benefit: Avoids bad executions during news. Risk: A very low value could prevent many trades; a very high one could allow suboptimal entries. |
Maximum allowed spread in pips | Upper limit of the spread to open orders. | 15 (1.5 pips) | Benefit: Blocks trades when costs are excessive. Risk: If too low, you could miss trades during slightly more expensive but potentially profitable times. |
Highlighted Warning
During times of high volatility (e.g., NFP news, interest rate changes), the spread can spike. If you are not willing to assume those costs, maintain a Maximum allowed spread.
5. Chart Display (Display Settings)
- Show information on the chart
- Displays statistics on the screen (profit, balance, spread...).
- Perfect for real-time monitoring without changing windows. - Comment to identify orders
- Brief text attached to trades to know who generated them.
- Example: “AXIS Neural” or “MyGridSystem”.
Multimedia Suggestion:
Include screenshots with the EA showing the information in the top corner of the chart. This way your readers will know exactly where to see the evolution of their account.
6. Moving Averages (Moving Average Periods)
The EA can use several moving averages in different timeframes to confirm signals. Adjusting the “periods” changes the system's sensitivity:
Period | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
MA period for M1 | Number of 1-minute candles for the moving average. | 40 |
MA period for M5 | Number of 5-minute candles for the moving average. | 45 |
MA period for M15 | Number of 15-minute candles for the moving average. | 10 |
MA period for H1 | Number of 1-hour candles for the moving average. | 25 |
Practical Case:
If you trade on M5 and set “MA period for M5 = 10”, you will be closely following the last 50 minutes (10 candles of 5 min). More sensitive, but also more subject to false signals.
7. Bollinger Bands (Bollinger Bands Settings)
Used to measure volatility and detect possible range breaks.
- Bollinger Bands period for H1
- It is based on 1-hour candles to calculate the central moving average and deviation bands.
- Example: “35”. - Bollinger Bands deviation
- Number of standard deviations to draw the bands.
- Example: “0.5” (narrower bands); “2” (wider bands).
Benefit: You identify overbought or oversold zones when the price touches or exceeds the bands.
Risk: If the market unexpectedly increases or decreases its volatility, the settings may become temporarily obsolete.
8. Trade Limit (Trade Limit Settings)
- Maximum open trades per symbol
- Prevents opening more trades than you can tolerate.
- Example: “10” means that the 11th trade will not open if you already have 10 open (including BUY and SELL).
Recommendation:
Adjust this limit based on the size of your account and your risk tolerance level. With a small account, excessive values could exacerbate your losses in adverse trends.
9. Update Frequency (Update Symbol Values)
- Frequency in seconds to update symbol values
- Defines how many seconds between recalculating market data.
- Example: “60” (once per minute).
- Very low values can overload your CPU; very high values could delay important orders.
10. Trade Control (Trade Control Settings)
- Allow opening new trading cycles
- Allows (true) or not (false) to start new series of orders.
- Useful when you want to close existing positions without opening more (for example, as the weekend approaches).
Simple Exercise
1. Activate “Allow opening new trading cycles”.
2. Observe the new operations the EA opens.
3. Deactivate it and see how the EA stops opening more trades but continues managing those already open.
11. Final Tips and Interactive Exercises
Class Tips
- Verify the symbol with your broker: It can be “EURUSD”, “EURUSD.m” or “EURUSD-ECN”.
- Start with small lots (0.01): Gain confidence gradually.
- Monitor Spread and Slippage: Adjust “MaxSpread” and “MaxSlippage” according to your broker.
- Test first on a demo account: This way you evaluate the real behavior without risking capital.
- Configure the grid with caution: Small step size + high multiplier = more risk in against markets.
- Manage your time: Turn off new trades before a weekend or important news if you don’t want extra exposure.
- Patience and discipline: Trading is a marathon, not a 100-meter race.
Exercise for Beginners
- Configure Symbol 1 with EURUSD and a simple Magic Number (e.g., 1001).
- Set Initial lot size to 0.01 and Take profit to 450 points.
- Observe for 3-5 days on a demo account:
- How many trades does it open?
- What is the average result?
Objective: Understand the basic dynamics of the EA and see if the TP and Step are suitable for your style.
Exercise for Advanced Users
- Choose a Step size small (20-30 points) and a Lot multiplier of 1.5 or 2.
- Use a low timeframe (M1 or M5) and perform a backtest or forward test on demo.
- Adjust Maximum open trades and analyze if you prefer a more conservative or aggressive operation.
Objective: Discover your own risk-benefit balance and refine your grid settings.
12. Success Stories in the Community
Several users have shared their experience after following these parameters:
“After adjusting the Lot multiplier to 1.2 and setting a Maximum open trades of 10, my account better withstood an adverse trend. I recovered in a few subsequent trades.” – Luis, Retail Trader.
“Testing first on demo allowed me to optimize the Take profit and Step size for EURUSD and GBPUSD. Now I feel much more confident to move to a live account!” – María, Trading in Training.
These comments reflect that, if you spend time configuring and testing before risking capital, the learning curve is smoother and more rewarding.
Final Words
Remember that no EA guarantees constant profits. Your best ally is risk management and discipline. Each parameter you set brings you closer to full control of your strategy and a better understanding of how the EA reacts to different market scenarios.
Motivational Message
“Every day in trading is a new opportunity to grow. Adjust, test, and repeat; consistency and self-evaluation are the keys that open the door to success.”
If you have any questions or want to share your results, don't hesitate to join our community!
- Share your configurations and what you have learned.
- Ask without fear, we all start from zero.
Success on your automated trading journey!