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Name the asset and timeframe
Example: daily bars on AAPL, or a basket you list tickers for. Say long-only unless you mean otherwise. -
Entry and exit in the same description
If you only say when to buy, add at least one rule for when to flatten or take profit. -
Use numbers for indicators
RSI 14, SMA 20 / 50, MACD 12-26-9 — not “fast vs slow average.” -
One primary signal
Add filters after the core idea works. Too many conflicting rules at once are hard to validate.
Writing clear strategies
Short checklist for describing rules the model can turn into code. Vague text produces vague code; specificity wins.
Checklist
Template you can paste
Universe: [tickers]. Bars: daily.
Buy when [indicator A] crosses above [indicator B] and [filter] is true.
Sell when [exit condition], or after [N] bars in the trade, whichever comes first.
Size: risk [x]% of equity per trade using [stop definition].
Buy when [indicator A] crosses above [indicator B] and [filter] is true.
Sell when [exit condition], or after [N] bars in the trade, whichever comes first.
Size: risk [x]% of equity per trade using [stop definition].
More examples
The full guidelines page has good and bad examples plus supported indicators.
Open strategy guidelines