- This EA sends confirmed H4 OHLC data to an external Python process for market-state analysis and confirmed H1 OHLC data for entry candidate generation.
- The MQL5 side reads Python output files and places pending orders only after checking the H4 market state, H1 candidate prices, M15 confirmation filter, spread, and broker distance constraints.
- For backtest reproducibility, OHLC export uses `OHLC_START_SHIFT = 1`, so the forming bar is excluded and only closed bars are passed to Python.
- For live resilience, the EA tracks external-process running files, process IDs, exit codes, and timeouts to prevent duplicate launches and CSV overwrites.
## 2. Indicators
- No standard or custom indicators are used.
- OHLC data is retrieved with `CopyRates(_Symbol, timeframe, OHLC_START_SHIFT, HISTORY_BARS, rates)`.
- M15 entry confirmation uses candle shape, average range, and distance to the candidate price for T2/T4. For T1/T3 it uses M15 impulse confirmation when that option is enabled.
-`initial_order = 0`: Retained for compatibility with older settings. Startup always rebuilds H4/H1 results and remains in technical-error stop state until the H4 result is reloaded.
-`input_position_limit = 10`: Practical limit for this EA's pending orders plus positions. Values above the internal `POSITION_LIMIT` are clamped.
-`use_split_entry_zone = false`: Enables split entries based on H1 predicted zones.
-`split_entry_count = 3`: Number of split entry orders, clamped to 1..10.
-`split_lot_mode = SPLIT_LOT_TOTAL`: Split lot mode. `SPLIT_LOT_TOTAL` divides the total lot across slots, and `SPLIT_LOT_FIXED` uses a fixed lot per order.
-`split_total_lot_size = 0.09`: Total lot used by total-split mode.
-`split_fixed_lot_size = 0.01`: Per-order lot used by fixed-split mode.
-`cancel_old_split_pending_on_new_zone = true`: Cancels older split pending orders when a new H1 zone set is loaded.
-`input_cancel_retry_cooldown_seconds = 60`: Wait time before retrying a failed pending-order cancellation for the same ticket. The effective value is clamped to 1..3600 seconds.
-`input_entry_max_candidate_age_minutes = 120`: Maximum age, in minutes, for using an H1 candidate for new execution. This blocks delayed entries when M15 confirmation appears too late.
- The maximum distance is strategy-specific: T1/T3 Stop candidates use `max(H1 EATR * 1.50, 5.00)`, and T2/T4 Limit candidates use `max(H1 EATR * 1.00, 5.00)`. A strategy beyond its limit is rewritten to `0.00,0.00,0.00`.
-`Include/MyLib/Trading/HITTradeManager.mqh`: Order sending, filling policy, pending-order expiration, order/position counting, expired order cancellation, and expired position closing.
-`Include/MyLib/Trading/SLTPManager.mqh`: Existing-position break-even, elapsed-time break-even, active trailing, TP-progress SL, and high-volatility SL management.
-`Include/MyLib/Panel/SLTPManagerPanel.mqh`: Chart panel that toggles `CSLTPManager` features, validates numeric inputs, and applies settings to the EA.
During `OnInit()`, the EA builds a `HIT_<sanitized symbol>_<magic_number>` prefix from `_Symbol` and `magic_number`, then applies it to all MT5 `Files` linkage names. Example: `HIT_GOLD_10001_ohlc_H4.csv`. The same prefix is passed to the batch file as the first argument, and the batch file exposes it to Python as `MT5_EA_FILE_PREFIX`. The EA also passes the symbol's `SYMBOL_DIGITS` as the second argument, exposed to Python as `MT5_PRICE_DIGITS`.
During `OnInit()`, the EA resolves `MQL5\python_for_ea` from `TerminalInfoString(TERMINAL_DATA_PATH)` and builds absolute batch-file paths. Each batch file resolves the Python project root from its own location, so runtime execution no longer depends on `C:\ea_py`.
Python creates `process_done_entry.txt` only after both `target_prices.txt` and `target_zones.txt` have been written. Prices in `target_zones.txt` are formatted with `MT5_PRICE_DIGITS`; manual runs without this value use a conservative 5 decimal places. When split entries are disabled, the EA keeps using the legacy 13-line `target_prices.txt` path.
- When split entries are enabled, `target_zones.txt` has `res_chk = 1`, the predicted zone prices are valid, split lots fit `SYMBOL_VOLUME_MIN/MAX/STEP`, and no duplicate order or position exists for the same `candidate_id` + order type + slot.
After an H4 `market_state` reload, the EA cancels existing pending orders whose order types are not allowed by the refreshed state. For `6 MARKET_TECHNICAL_ERROR_STOP`, it cancels all pending orders managed by this EA.
- Pending orders are cancelled after `ENTRY_H1_LIMIT * PeriodSeconds(PERIOD_H1)` has elapsed from the H1 candidate time restored from the comment. Legacy orders without that token fall back to setup time.
- Positions are closed after `CLOSE_H1_LIMIT * PeriodSeconds(PERIOD_H1)` has elapsed from entry time.
- Time-limit handling runs early in `OnTick` and is independent of Python readiness or spread checks.
- On EA removal, `OnDeinit()` releases external-process state and the SLTP panel, then clears the chart status text with `Comment("")` and `ChartRedraw(0)`.
- When `input_sltp_manager_enabled` or the panel `Manager` toggle is ON, the EA runs `CSLTPManager::ManagePositions()` and `HighVolatilityLimit()` after time-limit handling. Existing-position SL protection therefore continues while Python results are pending or new entries are skipped.
- Normal break-even and active trailing are mutually exclusive. The panel turns one mode off when the other is enabled, and `CSLTPManager::ValidateSettings()` also validates the exclusion.
## 7.1 SLTP Control Panel
- The panel is created when `input_sltp_show_panel = true` and appears near the chart's upper-right area.
- If panel creation fails, the EA logs the failure and continues with the already-applied input-based SLTP settings.
- The `Manager` button toggles all SLTP management. When OFF, panel values remain stored but `OnTick` does not modify SL values.
- The `BreakEven`, `Elapsed BE`, `Active Trail`, `TP Progress`, and `High Vol` buttons toggle each `CSLTPManager` feature.
- Numeric fields are validated when `APPLY` is pressed. Invalid or out-of-range values show a `MessageBox`, are logged, and revert to the previous valid value.
- Settings are copied into `CSLTPManager` only after `APPLY` succeeds. The EA then calls `ValidateSettings()`; if validation fails, SLTP management is stopped and the reason is logged.
## 8. Risk Management
- Managed orders and positions are limited to matching `_Symbol` and `magic_number`.
- Pending orders receive server-side expiration from the H1 candidate time when the broker supports it. Orders are skipped if that expiration is already in the past.
- When `cancel_old_split_pending_on_new_zone = true`, a new valid `candidate_id` cancels older split pending orders, and an invalid or stopped `target_zones.txt` cancels all existing split pending orders for this EA/symbol/magic.
- After an H4 state update, existing pending orders that contradict the refreshed `market_state` are cancelled.
- A failed pending-order cancellation is not retried for the same ticket until `input_cancel_retry_cooldown_seconds` has elapsed, preventing excessive per-tick trade-server requests.
- SLTP management only targets existing positions matching `_Symbol` and `magic_number`, and it preserves each position's current TP.
- SL changes are sent only when the candidate improves protection relative to the current SL and satisfies broker stop-level and freeze-level constraints.
- When split entries are enabled, missing `target_zones.txt`, schema mismatch, fewer than 7 lines, `res_chk != 1`, a valid-zone `candidate_id` that is not a strict 12-digit timestamp, or non-strict numeric values stop new split orders.
- When Python falls back to H1 safe-stop values, it appends `RESULT: SAFE_STOP`, the stop stage, reason, H4 state, and candidate ID to `debug_entry.txt`. This distinguishes a normal GPT skip from API, configuration, or data failures.
- If a Python process remains active beyond `PYTHON_TIMEOUT_SECONDS`, the EA runs `taskkill /T /F` against the cmd/bat process tree, clears done/running files, and allows the next trigger to retry.
- Added `debug_entry.txt` safe-stop diagnostics with the stop stage and reason so normal candidate skips can be distinguished from guarded failure fallbacks.
- Changed startup initialization to rebuild H4/H1 results regardless of `initial_order`, while holding the technical-error stop state until the H4 result reloads.
- Added cancellation of existing pending orders that contradict a refreshed H4 `market_state`.
- Added per-ticket cooldown after failed pending-order cancellation to prevent excessive per-tick trade-server requests.
- Added order type to split-slot identifiers so different strategies using the same `candidate_id` and slot cannot collide.
- Kept valid `candidate_id` tokens in both single and split order comments and changed pending expiration to use the H1 candidate origin time.
- Required strict 12-digit timestamp `candidate_id` values for valid `target_zones.txt`; malformed values now stop safely.
- Added the `HIT_<symbol>_<magic_number>` linkage-file prefix contract on both the MT5 and Python sides to avoid collisions across multiple EAs or symbols in the same terminal.
- Added strict numeric parsing requirements for `trend_state.txt`, `target_prices.txt`, and `target_zones.txt`, with invalid content handled as a safe stop state.
- Added stale split-pending cancellation behavior when `target_zones.txt` is invalid or stopped.
- Synchronized current defaults for `input_entry_max_candidate_age_minutes`, `ENTRY_H1_LIMIT`, SLTP buffers, and the Python entry-distance guard.
- Added process-tree termination and retry recovery for Python timeouts.
- Changed H1 candidate freshness checks to use the closed H1 bar time restored from `candidate_id`, instead of the Python result load time.
- Added `MT5_PRICE_DIGITS` so Python formats `target_zones.txt` prices with the active symbol's decimal precision.
- Added single-order lot validation, OHLC CSV NaN/inf and consistency checks, Ask-based SELL high-volatility SL evaluation, and GOLD/XAUUSD suffix handling.
- Moved the Python helper application specification from `C:\ea_py` to `MQL5\python_for_ea` under the MT5 data folder.
- Updated the EA startup path model so batch paths are built from `TerminalInfoString(TERMINAL_DATA_PATH)`, and the external process working directory is derived from the batch-file location.
- Updated Python path discovery so the default MT5 linkage is the adjacent `MQL5\Files` directory, with `MT5_FILES_DIR` or `MT5_DATA_PATH` available for explicit overrides.
- Added Python-side `target_zones.txt` output and made `process_done_entry.txt` appear only after both `target_prices.txt` and `target_zones.txt` are written.
- Added `use_split_entry_zone`, `split_entry_count`, `split_lot_mode`, `split_total_lot_size`, `split_fixed_lot_size`, and `input_position_limit`.
- Added split-zone pending order placement with total-lot or fixed-lot sizing.
- Added H1 candidate age to entry skip logs to make delayed entries, M15 rejection, and price mismatch easier to diagnose.
### 2026-05-05
- Added `Comment("")` and `ChartRedraw(0)` to `OnDeinit()` so the chart status comment is removed when the EA is deleted.
- Connected `CSLTPManager` and the dedicated chart panel `SLTPManagerPanel.mqh` to `HIT-EA_refactor_ver5.mq5`, allowing UI control of break-even, elapsed-time break-even, active trailing, TP-progress SL, and high-volatility SL tightening.
- Added SLTP management immediately after time-limit handling in `OnTick`, so existing-position protection continues independently of Python readiness and spread checks.
- Added SLTP panel inputs, mutual exclusion for normal break-even versus active trailing, and numeric validation on `APPLY`.
- Split the function implementations from `HIT-EA_refactor_ver5.mq5` into purpose-specific `.mqh` files.
- Kept `OnInit`, `OnDeinit`, `OnTick`, inputs, and global state in the EA source while moving behavior functions under `Include/MyLib/`.
- Updated the specification to match the current `CreateProcessW` Python process tracking, M15 filter, `market_state` range `0..6`, and `spread_limit = 60`.
### 2026-05-02
- Added entry suppression when `res_chk = 0`.
- Moved time-limit handling before Python readiness and spread checks.
- Split startup flags for H4 and H1 initial processing.
- Switched OHLC retrieval to `CopyRates` and exported closed bars only.
