MetaTrader 5 Expert Advisor Template

This template provides a solid foundation for developing Expert Advisors (EAs) on MT5. It includes pre-built modules for trade management, risk settings, and signal generation.

File Structure

• Template.mq5
  The main EA file that initializes your trading logic and event handlers.

• Header.mqh
  Contains input parameters and global settings like risk management, trading hours, and custom indicators.

• Trade_Functions.mqh
  Provides functions to open, close, and partially close trades.

• Risk_Functions.mqh
  Implements calculations for stop-loss, take-profit, and dynamic lot sizing based on risk.

• Signal_Functions.mqh
  Holds indicator initialization and functions to detect entry/exit signals.

Features

Trading Hours Management

• Define specific trading sessions using TradingHoursStart and TradingHoursEnd inputs in Header.mqh
• Simply set your desired hours using 24-hour format based on broker server time

Risk Management

• Configure via RiskMode input:
  • FIXED_LOT: Trade with consistent position size (FixedLotSize)
  • RISK_BASED: Dynamic sizing based on risk percentage (RiskPercent)
• Set AccountBalanceType to calculate risk from balance, equity, or free margin
• Control exposure with MaxPositions to limit concurrent trades
• Implement MaximumLotSize and MinimumLotSize as safety boundaries
• Usage: LotSize() function automatically calculates optimal position size

Stop-Loss and Take-Profit Modes

• Set via StopLossMode and TakeProfitMode inputs:
  • FIXED: Use exact point values from FixedStopLoss and FixedTakeProfit
  • ATR_BASED: Dynamic values scaled by ATRMultiplierSL and ATRMultiplierTP
• Safety limits with MinStopLoss/MaxStopLoss and MinTakeProfit/MaxTakeProfit
• Access through StopLoss() and TakeProfit() functions which handle all calculations

Partial Close Functionality

• Enable with UsePartialClose and set trigger level with PartialCloseATRMultiplier
• Configure percentage to close via PartialClosePercent (1-99%)
• Called automatically during tick processing or manually with PartialCloseAll()
• Tracks positions with built-in logic to prevent multiple partial closes on same position

Breakeven Functionality

• Enable with UseBreakeven parameter to automatically move stop-loss to breakeven
• Two operation modes available via BreakevenMode input:
  • BE_FIXED: Move to breakeven when profit reaches FixedBreakevenPips pips
  • BE_ATR: Move to breakeven when profit reaches BreakevenATRMultiplier × ATR value
• Configure additional profit buffer with BreakevenBuffer in points
• Automatically monitors all positions and applies breakeven when conditions are met
• Called during tick processing via built-in MoveToBreakeven() function

ATR Implementation

• Configurable with ATRPeriod and ATRTimeframe inputs
• Provides volatility reference for dynamic SL/TP, partial close decisions, and breakeven levels
• Powers volatility-adjusted position sizing when combined with risk-based lot sizing

Trade Execution & Management

• Control spread conditions with MaxSpread to prevent trading during volatile periods
• Set unique MagicNumber for position tracking
• Customize OrderComment for trade identification
• Configure slippage tolerance with Slippage parameter

Usage Guide

This section provides a step-by-step guide to using and customizing the MT5 EA template.

Installation and Setup

1. Copy the entire template folder into your MT5 Experts directory (typically located at [MT5 Data Folder]\MQL5\Experts\)
2. Rename the following files to match your EA's name:
   • Template.mq5 → YourEAName.mq5
   • Template.mqproj → YourEAName.mqproj
3. Update the metadata in three locations:
   • Edit copyright, description, version, and icon in YourEAName.mq5 file header
   • Update the project properties in YourEAName.mqproj file
   • Update any references to "Template" within the code

Configuration

1. Open your renamed EA in MetaEditor
2. Configure default trading parameters in Header.mqh:
   • Risk management settings (MaxRiskPerTrade, RiskDefaultSize, etc.)
   • Trading hours (TradingHourStart, TradingHourEnd)
   • Stop-loss and take-profit parameters
   • Position sizing options
   • ATR settings for volatility-based decisions

Implementing Your Strategy

1. Define your entry and exit signals in Signal_Functions.mqh:

   • Uncomment and modify the sample code in CheckEntrySignal() and CheckExitSignal()
   • The template uses a framework where OpenBuy() and OpenSell() handle all position sizing and risk calculations automatically

2. To add custom indicators:

   • Declare global variables and handles in your main .mq5 file
   • Initialize indicators in InitializeHandles() function
   • Retrieve indicator data in GetIndicatorsData() function

// Example of adding a custom indicator
// In your .mq5 file:
int CustomIndicatorHandle;
double CustomIndicator_buffer[];

// In InitializeHandles() function:
CustomIndicatorHandle = iCustom(Symbol(), Period(), "indicator_name", param1, param2);
if(CustomIndicatorHandle == INVALID_HANDLE)
{
   Print("Failed to create custom indicator handle");
   return false;
}

3. For advanced customization:
   • Modify risk calculations in Risk_Functions.mqh
   • Adjust trade execution in Trade_Functions.mqh

Testing and Deployment

1. Compile your EA by pressing F7 in MetaEditor

2. Test in Strategy Tester:

   • Select your EA from the Expert Advisor dropdown
   • Configure testing parameters (symbol, timeframe, date range)
   • Use "Visual mode" for detailed trade visualization
   • Review the custom optimization criterion in OnTester() function

3. Deploy to a demo account first:

   • Attach your EA to a chart
   • Enable "Allow Automated Trading" in MT5
   • Monitor performance before considering live deployment

4. For optimization:

   • Use the built-in optimization functionality in Strategy Tester
   • The EA includes a custom optimization criterion in OnTester() that balances profit against drawdown

Functions

Position Management Functions

• int CountPositions() - Counts open positions for current symbol with specified magic number
• bool OpenBuy() - Opens a buy position with calculated SL/TP based on risk settings
• bool OpenSell() - Opens a sell position with calculated SL/TP based on risk settings
• void CloseAllBuy() - Closes all buy positions for current symbol
• void CloseAllSell() - Closes all sell positions for current symbol
• void CloseAllPositions() - Closes all positions opened by this EA
• bool PartialClose(ulong ticket, double percentage) - Partially closes a position with specified ticket
• void PartialCloseAll() - Partially closes all positions based on ATR conditions
• void MoveToBreakeven() - Moves stop-loss to breakeven when position reaches profit target using either fixed pips or ATR-based calculations

Trade Configuration

• void SetTradeObject() - Configures trade object with magic number and slippage

Signal Management

• bool InitializeHandles() - Sets up indicator handles including ATR
• bool GetIndicatorsData() - Retrieves indicator data with retry logic
• void CheckEntrySignal() - Framework for implementing entry signal logic
• void CheckExitSignal() - Framework for implementing exit signal logic

Risk Management

• double StopLoss(ENUM_ORDER_TYPE order_type, double open_price) - Calculates stop-loss price based on settings
• double TakeProfit(ENUM_ORDER_TYPE order_type, double open_price) - Calculates take-profit price based on settings
• double LotSize(double stop_loss, double open_price) - Calculates position size based on risk parameters
• double DynamicStopLossPrice(ENUM_ORDER_TYPE type, double open_price) - Calculates ATR-based dynamic stop-loss
• double DynamicTakeProfitPrice(ENUM_ORDER_TYPE type, double open_price) - Calculates ATR-based dynamic take-profit

Processing Functions

• void ProcessTick() - Main tick processing function
• bool Prechecks() - Validates input parameters during initialization
• double OnTester() - Custom optimization criterion for backtests

Disclaimer

Use this template at your own risk. Always test thoroughly in a demo environment. Past performance is not indicative of future results.