One-time buy Signal at System Start

• 10/29/2024 at 9:59 AM #239684
  stalba

  I’m setting up a simple trading system and need a way to trigger a one-time entry (either long or short) at the start if there’s no existing position. This is particularly important after rolling contracts and restarting the system, so it can re-enter immediately if required. I’ve tried using ONCE and various flags, but the system keeps triggering unintended signals. Looking for a simple, reliable code solution to execute an entry just once at the start without affecting ongoing trade signals. Any suggestions?

  // Set code parameters DEFPARAM CumulateOrders = False // Cumulating positions disabled ONCE checkLongPosition = NOT LONGONMARKET // Buy only once on system start IF checkLongPosition THEN BUY 1 SHARE AT MARKET ENDIF superTrendValue = SuperTrend[5.4,36] // Conditions for entering long positions c1 = (close CROSSES OVER superTrendValue) IF NOT LONGONMARKET AND c1 THEN BUY 1 SHARES AT MARKET ENDIF // Conditions for exiting long positions c2 = (close CROSSES UNDER superTrendValue) IF LONGONMARKET AND c2 THEN SELL AT MARKET ENDIF // Conditions for entering short positions c3 = (close CROSSES UNDER superTrendValue) IF NOT SHORTONMARKET AND c3 THEN SELLSHORT 1 SHARES AT MARKET ENDIF // Conditions for exiting short positions c4 = (close CROSSES OVER superTrendValue) IF SHORTONMARKET AND c4 THEN EXITSHORT AT MARKET ENDIF

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  // Set code parameters DEFPARAM CumulateOrders = False // Cumulating positions disabled   ONCE checkLongPosition = NOT LONGONMARKET   // Buy only once on system start IF checkLongPosition THEN BUY 1 SHARE AT MARKET ENDIF   superTrendValue = SuperTrend[5.4,36]   // Conditions for entering long positions c1 = (close CROSSES OVER superTrendValue)   IF NOT LONGONMARKET AND c1 THEN BUY 1 SHARES AT MARKET ENDIF   // Conditions for exiting long positions c2 = (close CROSSES UNDER superTrendValue)   IF LONGONMARKET AND c2 THEN SELL AT MARKET ENDIF   // Conditions for entering short positions c3 = (close CROSSES UNDER superTrendValue)   IF NOT SHORTONMARKET AND c3 THEN SELLSHORT 1 SHARES AT MARKET ENDIF   // Conditions for exiting short positions c4 = (close CROSSES OVER superTrendValue)   IF SHORTONMARKET AND c4 THEN EXITSHORT AT MARKET ENDIF

  

  stalba

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  10/30/2024 at 1:32 AM #239751
  JS

  Not a bad idea from ChatGPT… 🙂

  Once EntryFlag

  DEFPARAM CumulateOrders = False // Prevents multiple entries ONCE EntryFlag = 0 // Initialization for one-time entry // Check if there is no position at the start and EntryFlag is 0 IF NOT OnMarket AND EntryFlag = 0 THEN // Define your entry condition here IF /* Your Entry Condition */ THEN BUY 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Long Entry EntryFlag = 1 // Set the flag to avoid re-triggering ELSEIF /* Alternative Short Condition */ THEN SELLSHORT 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Short Entry EntryFlag = 1 // Set the flag to avoid re-triggering ENDIF ENDIF

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  DEFPARAM CumulateOrders = False  // Prevents multiple entries   ONCE EntryFlag = 0  // Initialization for one-time entry   // Check if there is no position at the start and EntryFlag is 0 IF NOT OnMarket AND EntryFlag = 0 THEN     // Define your entry condition here     IF /* Your Entry Condition */ THEN         BUY 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET  // Long Entry         EntryFlag = 1  // Set the flag to avoid re-triggering     ELSEIF /* Alternative Short Condition */ THEN         SELLSHORT 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET  // Short Entry         EntryFlag = 1  // Set the flag to avoid re-triggering     ENDIF ENDIF

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  JS

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  10/30/2024 at 9:42 AM #239753
  stalba

  Thank you! ChatGPT couldn’t solve this, that’s why I am here haha

  Unfortunately I’m not getting any entries with this code. I’ve tried it both nested and un-nested, as well as with and without additional conditions, but nothing seems to happen:

  // Set code parameters DEFPARAM CumulateOrders = False // Prevents multiple entries // Initialize flag for one-time entry ONCE EntryFlag = 0 // Check for initial entry at the start if there's no position and EntryFlag is 0 IF NOT ONMARKET AND EntryFlag = 0 THEN BUY 1 SHARES AT MARKET // Long entry EntryFlag = 1 // Set the flag to prevent re-triggering the initial entry ENDIF

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  // Set code parameters DEFPARAM CumulateOrders = False // Prevents multiple entries   // Initialize flag for one-time entry ONCE EntryFlag = 0   // Check for initial entry at the start if there's no position and EntryFlag is 0 IF NOT ONMARKET AND EntryFlag = 0 THEN BUY 1 SHARES AT MARKET // Long entry EntryFlag = 1  // Set the flag to prevent re-triggering the initial entry ENDIF

  Sorry… newby here 😅

  

  stalba

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  10/30/2024 at 9:42 AM #239754
  stalba

  This was another try, with the full code, but nothing happens:

  // Set code parameters DEFPARAM CumulateOrders = False // Prevents multiple entries ONCE EntryFlag = 0 // Initialization for one-time entry superTrendValue = SuperTrend[5.4,36] // Check if there is no LONG position at the start and EntryFlag is 0 IF NOT LONGONMARKET AND EntryFlag = 0 THEN BUY 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET IF NOT LONGONMARKET AND close CROSSES OVER superTrendValue THEN BUY 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Long Entry EntryFlag = 1 // Set the flag to avoid re-triggering ELSIF NOT SHORTONMARKET AND close CROSSES UNDER superTrendValue THEN SELLSHORT 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Short Entry EntryFlag = 1 // Set the flag to avoid re-triggering ENDIF ENDIF

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  // Set code parameters DEFPARAM CumulateOrders = False // Prevents multiple entries   ONCE EntryFlag = 0  // Initialization for one-time entry superTrendValue = SuperTrend[5.4,36]   // Check if there is no LONG position at the start and EntryFlag is 0 IF NOT LONGONMARKET AND EntryFlag = 0 THEN BUY 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET IF NOT LONGONMARKET AND close CROSSES OVER superTrendValue THEN BUY 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Long Entry EntryFlag = 1  // Set the flag to avoid re-triggering ELSIF NOT SHORTONMARKET AND close CROSSES UNDER superTrendValue THEN SELLSHORT 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Short Entry EntryFlag = 1  // Set the flag to avoid re-triggering ENDIF ENDIF

  

  stalba

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  10/30/2024 at 10:01 AM #239755
  robertogozzi

  Add this line at the very beginning:

  DEFPARAM PreLoadBars = 0

  1	DEFPARAM PreLoadBars = 0

  it will open only ONE trade and will never close, as there is no indication when it must be exited.

   

   

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  robertogozzi

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  10/30/2024 at 11:09 AM #239765
  stalba

  Thanks, the one-time entry works now! 🙏🏼

  With the following code, the other conditions also seem to work, except the first 2 Supertrend crossings directly after the one-time entry are missing (see attachment) – any idea why? The rest of the signals work fine!

  // Set code parameters DEFPARAM PreLoadBars = 0 DEFPARAM CumulateOrders = False // Prevents multiple entries ONCE EntryFlag = 0 // Initialization for one-time entry superTrendValue = SuperTrend[5.4,36] // Check if there is no position at the start and EntryFlag is 0 IF NOT ONMARKET AND EntryFlag = 0 THEN SELLSHORT 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET ENDIF // Long Conditions IF NOT LONGONMARKET AND close CROSSES OVER superTrendValue THEN BUY 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Long Entry EntryFlag = 1 // Set the flag to avoid re-triggering ELSIF LONGONMARKET AND close CROSSES UNDER superTrendValue THEN SELL 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Long Exit ENDIF // Short Conditions IF NOT SHORTONMARKET AND close CROSSES UNDER superTrendValue THEN SELLSHORT 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Short Entry EntryFlag = 1 // Set the flag to avoid re-triggering ELSIF SHORTONMARKET AND close CROSSES OVER superTrendValue THEN EXITSHORT 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Short Exit ENDIF

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  // Set code parameters DEFPARAM PreLoadBars = 0 DEFPARAM CumulateOrders = False // Prevents multiple entries   ONCE EntryFlag = 0  // Initialization for one-time entry superTrendValue = SuperTrend[5.4,36]   // Check if there is no position at the start and EntryFlag is 0 IF NOT ONMARKET AND EntryFlag = 0 THEN SELLSHORT 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET ENDIF   // Long Conditions IF NOT LONGONMARKET AND close CROSSES OVER superTrendValue THEN BUY 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Long Entry EntryFlag = 1  // Set the flag to avoid re-triggering ELSIF LONGONMARKET AND close CROSSES UNDER superTrendValue THEN SELL 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Long Exit ENDIF   // Short Conditions IF NOT SHORTONMARKET AND close CROSSES UNDER superTrendValue THEN SELLSHORT 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Short Entry EntryFlag = 1  // Set the flag to avoid re-triggering ELSIF SHORTONMARKET AND close CROSSES OVER superTrendValue THEN EXITSHORT 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Short Exit ENDIF

  

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  10/30/2024 at 11:24 AM #239767
  stalba

  Seems like the first signal is beeing ignored in any case:

  

  stalba

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  10/30/2024 at 12:27 PM #239772
  JS

  Hi,

  Try this one:

   

  Once EntryFlag

  // Set code parameters DEFPARAM PreLoadBars = 0 DEFPARAM CumulateOrders = False // Prevents multiple entries ONCE EntryFlag = 0 // Initialization for one-time entry superTrendValue = SuperTrend[5.4,36] // Check if there is no position at the start and EntryFlag is 0 IF NOT ONMARKET AND EntryFlag = 0 THEN SELLSHORT 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET EntryFlag=1 ENDIF // Long Conditions IF NOT LONGONMARKET AND EntryFlag=1 and close CROSSES OVER superTrendValue THEN BUY 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Long Entry ELSIF LONGONMARKET AND EntryFlag=1 and close CROSSES UNDER superTrendValue THEN SELL 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Long Exit ENDIF // Short Conditions IF NOT SHORTONMARKET AND EntryFlag=1 and close CROSSES UNDER superTrendValue THEN SELLSHORT 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Short Entry ELSIF SHORTONMARKET AND EntryFlag=1 and close CROSSES OVER superTrendValue THEN EXITSHORT 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Short Exit ENDIF

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  // Set code parameters DEFPARAM PreLoadBars = 0 DEFPARAM CumulateOrders = False // Prevents multiple entries   ONCE EntryFlag = 0  // Initialization for one-time entry superTrendValue = SuperTrend[5.4,36]   // Check if there is no position at the start and EntryFlag is 0 IF NOT ONMARKET AND EntryFlag = 0 THEN SELLSHORT 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET EntryFlag=1 ENDIF   // Long Conditions IF NOT LONGONMARKET AND EntryFlag=1 and close CROSSES OVER superTrendValue THEN BUY 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Long Entry ELSIF LONGONMARKET AND EntryFlag=1 and close CROSSES UNDER superTrendValue THEN SELL 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Long Exit ENDIF   // Short Conditions IF NOT SHORTONMARKET AND EntryFlag=1 and close CROSSES UNDER superTrendValue THEN SELLSHORT 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Short Entry ELSIF SHORTONMARKET AND EntryFlag=1 and  close CROSSES OVER superTrendValue THEN EXITSHORT 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Short Exit ENDIF

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  JS

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  10/30/2024 at 12:49 PM #239775
  stalba

  When i use your code 1:1 the entry on the backtest starting date is missing – it enters a short position on the next Supertrend short signal (Screenshot attached) – the problem is that I want to do auto trading with Futures, and when I have an open position and need to roll over to a new contract, I have to close that position but might want to continue with the position / auto trading within the new contract (as the trend is still ongoing), and don’t want to wait until the next signal.

  Also, opening a position manually won’t work with auto trading systems:

  PRT Conditions of execution of automatic trading systems

  “When you begin an automatic trading system, any pre-existing positions placed manually are closed first and any pre-existing orders placed manually are canceled. The first position of the system may be opened at the earliest at the open of the next bar after the system is started.”

  How do you handle this, as this is sub-optimal for Futures auto trading? It’s kinda frustrating 🥲

  

  stalba

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  10/30/2024 at 1:09 PM #239777
  JS

  With short position on start/backtest date:

   

   

  Once EntryFlag v2

  // Set code parameters DEFPARAM PreLoadBars = 0 DEFPARAM CumulateOrders = False // Prevents multiple entries ONCE EntryFlag = 0 // Initialization for one-time entry superTrendValue = SuperTrend[5.4,36] // Check if there is no position at the start and EntryFlag is 0 IF NOT ONMARKET AND EntryFlag = 0 THEN SELLSHORT 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET ENDIF // Long Conditions IF NOT LONGONMARKET and close CROSSES OVER superTrendValue THEN BUY 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Long Entry EntryFlag = 1 // Set the flag to avoid re-triggering ELSIF LONGONMARKET and close CROSSES UNDER superTrendValue THEN SELL AT MARKET // Long Exit EntryFlag = 1 ENDIF // Short Conditions IF NOT SHORTONMARKET AND close CROSSES UNDER superTrendValue THEN SELLSHORT 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Short Entry EntryFlag = 1 // Set the flag to avoid re-triggering ELSIF SHORTONMARKET and close CROSSES OVER superTrendValue THEN EXITSHORT AT MARKET // Short Exit EntryFlag = 1 ENDIF

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  // Set code parameters DEFPARAM PreLoadBars = 0 DEFPARAM CumulateOrders = False // Prevents multiple entries   ONCE EntryFlag = 0  // Initialization for one-time entry superTrendValue = SuperTrend[5.4,36]   // Check if there is no position at the start and EntryFlag is 0 IF NOT ONMARKET AND EntryFlag = 0 THEN SELLSHORT 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET ENDIF   // Long Conditions IF NOT LONGONMARKET and close CROSSES OVER superTrendValue THEN BUY 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Long Entry EntryFlag = 1  // Set the flag to avoid re-triggering ELSIF LONGONMARKET and close CROSSES UNDER superTrendValue THEN SELL AT MARKET // Long Exit EntryFlag = 1 ENDIF   // Short Conditions IF NOT SHORTONMARKET AND close CROSSES UNDER superTrendValue THEN SELLSHORT 1 CONTRACT AT MARKET // Short Entry EntryFlag = 1  // Set the flag to avoid re-triggering ELSIF SHORTONMARKET and  close CROSSES OVER superTrendValue THEN EXITSHORT AT MARKET // Short Exit EntryFlag = 1 ENDIF

  

  JS

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  10/30/2024 at 1:22 PM #239779
  stalba

  Yes we had that code before, but then upcoming signals are being ignored:

  

  stalba

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  10/30/2024 at 1:29 PM #239782
  JS

  Strange, in my graph the first signal is executed…

  

  JS

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  10/30/2024 at 1:31 PM #239785
  stalba

  Can you maybe try it with MBTCUSD and 1 day timeframe?

  

  stalba

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  10/30/2024 at 1:47 PM #239788
  JS

  On MBTCUSD TimeFrame 1 day…

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  stalba

  

  JS

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  10/30/2024 at 2:22 PM #239793
  stalba

  It depends on the selected units, when i do a backtest (e.g. 3 or 5 years), 1day timeframe, 10k units there is an inconsistency within the entries. With 100 units (as in your test) it seems to work.

  

  stalba

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