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Customization Workflow

PostedFebruary 16, 2026
UpdatedFebruary 16, 2026
ByBWT Bob - The TickProphet

Step 1: Clone a Base Example

  1. Choose the example closest to your goals
  2. Create strategy instance in NinjaTrader
  3. Load settings from the example above

Step 2: Adjust for Your Instrument

Different instruments require different parameters:

Volatility Adjustments:

  • High volatility (CL, NG): Wider stops, higher ATR multipliers
  • Low volatility (ZN, ZB): Tighter stops, lower multipliers
  • Medium (ES, NQ): Use example settings

Tick Value Adjustments:

  • CL: $10/tick (aggressive)
  • ES: $12.50/tick (standard)
  • NQ: $5/tick (adjust quantities)
  • YM: $5/tick (adjust quantities)

Step 3: Optimize for Your Timeframe

1-Minute Charts:

  • Shorter indicators (Period: 10-14)
  • Tighter targets (8-12 ticks)
  • 10-15 min HTF

5-Minute Charts:

  • Standard indicators (Period: 14)
  • Medium targets (12-20 ticks)
  • 60 min HTF

15-Minute Charts:

  • Longer indicators (Period: 14-20)
  • Wider targets (20-40 ticks)
  • 240 min (4-hour) HTF

Step 4: Backtest and Refine

Minimum Backtest Period: 3 months of data

Key Metrics to Evaluate:

  1. Win Rate (target: 50%+)
  2. Profit Factor (target: 1.3+)
  3. Average Win vs Average Loss (target: 1.2:1+)
  4. Max Drawdown (target: <10% of account)
  5. Number of Trades (target: enough for statistical significance)

If Win Rate Too Low (<45%):

  • Add more filters (HTF, MA, ADX)
  • Increase sensitivity (fewer signals, better quality)
  • Tighter session times (trade best hours only)

If Too Few Trades (<100 in 3 months):

  • Reduce filters
  • Lower sensitivity
  • Expand session times
  • Consider different entry module

If Max Drawdown Too High (>15%):

  • Reduce position size
  • Tighten stop loss
  • Add daily loss limits
  • Enable breakeven sooner

Step 5: Paper Trade (Simulation)

Minimum Simulation Period: 2-4 weeks

What to Monitor:

  1. Emotional response to wins/losses
  2. Actual fills vs expected
  3. Slippage amounts
  4. System stability
  5. Any unexpected behaviors

Red Flags During Simulation:

  • Strategy doesn’t match backtest at all
  • Excessive slippage (>2-3 ticks regularly)
  • Frequent strategy errors in log
  • Can’t emotionally handle the losses

Step 6: Live Trading (Very Small Size)

Start With: 1 contract only (regardless of account size)

First Month Goals:

  • Execute system without interference
  • Understand live execution differences
  • Build confidence
  • Verify consistent results

Only Increase Size When:

  • Profitable for at least 1 month
  • Comfortable with losses
  • Following rules 100%
  • Backtest/sim results confirmed in live

Next Section: Common Customization Scenarios →

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