Sniper Retest EA

Developer Handoff Brief for MT4

Platform: MetaTrader 4  
Primary symbol: XAUUSD  
Core timeframes: H1 bias, M5 execution  

--------------------------------------------------

OBJECTIVE

Trade trend-aligned break-retest-rejection setups with strict discipline filters, fixed or risk-based sizing, one trade at a time, and a maximum of 3-5 trades per day.

--------------------------------------------------

CORE TRADING LOGIC

SELL SETUP
- Bias: H1 bearish structure (optional EMA20 < EMA50)
- Zone: Retest into fresh resistance from recent swing high
- Trigger: M5 bearish rejection candle (upper wick > body by ratio)
- Entry: Sell at next candle open after trigger closes
- SL: Above trigger high + buffer
- TP: 2R

BUY SETUP
- Bias: H1 bullish structure (optional EMA20 > EMA50)
- Zone: Retest into fresh support from recent swing low
- Trigger: M5 bullish rejection candle (lower wick > body by ratio)
- Entry: Buy at next candle open after trigger closes
- SL: Below trigger low + buffer
- TP: 2R

--------------------------------------------------

NON-NEGOTIABLE FILTERS

- No new entries outside 07:00 to 20:00 UK time
- Friday cutoff default 17:00 UK
- Reject trade if spread exceeds MaxSpreadPoints
- Reject trade if ATR is below threshold OR last 5 M5 candles show low activity
- Reject trade if bias is neutral
- Reject trade if signal candle already triggered a trade
- Reject trade if daily trade count = 3-5
- Only ONE open trade at a time per symbol/magic number

--------------------------------------------------

BUILD CHECKLIST (MT4 DEVELOPER)

[ ] Inputs
- Lot size
- Risk %
- Spread cap
- ATR threshold
- Wick/body ratio
- Buffers
- Trading hours
- Friday cutoff
- Max trades/day

[ ] Bias Engine
- Determine bullish, bearish, or neutral from H1 structure
- Optional EMA filter

[ ] Zone Logic
- Identify fresh support/resistance from recent swings
- Expire stale zones

[ ] Retest Detection
- Confirm price interaction with active zone

[ ] Trigger Candle
- Validate rejection shape
- Confirm close direction
- Minimum body size

[ ] Execution
- Enter next candle
- SL beyond wick + buffer
- TP = 2R

[ ] Risk Sizing
- Fixed lot OR % risk based on SL distance
- Respect broker lot steps

[ ] Trade Management
- Optional break-even at 1R
- Optional trailing stop
- Prevent duplicate trades

[ ] Protection
- Handle requotes
- Invalid stops
- Low margin
- Trade context busy
- Market closed

[ ] Debug UI
- Show bias
- Spread
- ATR
- Market condition
- Active zone
- Trade count
- Block reason

[ ] Backtesting
- MT4 Strategy Tester
- Log:
  - Win rate
  - Drawdown
  - Profit factor
  - Trades per week

--------------------------------------------------

RECOMMENDED DEFAULTS (XAUUSD)

- Lot size: 0.01
- Risk: 1%
- Max trades/day: 3
- Trading hours: 07:00 – 20:00 UK
- Friday cutoff: 17:00
- TP: 2R
- Break-even: 1R