Entry Filters Configuration
The BWT Precision AutoTrader includes a comprehensive filtering system that allows you to fine-tune when trades are executed. Filters act as gatekeepers – ALL enabled filters must pass before a trade signal becomes an actual trade entry.
Group: 100 – Entry Filters Control
This is the master control panel for all entry filters. Settings here enable or disable entire categories of filters.
001 – Filters Enabled On/Off
Type: Integer (0 or 1)
Default: 0
Description: Global master switch for ALL entry filters.
- 0: ALL filters are disabled – every signal from your enabled module(s) will generate a trade
- 1: Filters are enabled – signals must pass all enabled filters before trades are executed
Critical: This is your master kill switch. Set to 0 if you want unfiltered trading from your entry module.
002 – Trade Direction Filter
Type: Dropdown
Options:
- Both: Allow both long and short trades
- Long Only: Only take long (buy) trades
- Short Only: Only take short (sell) trades
Default: Both
Description: Restrict trading to a specific direction.
Use Cases:
- Market has strong bullish bias → Use “Long Only”
- Testing strategy performance by direction → Test “Long Only” vs “Short Only” separately
- Personal trading rules → Some traders only trade with the major trend direction
003 – Precision Trend Filter
Type: Integer (0 or 1)
Default: 1
Description: Trades only allowed when entry signal agrees with the Precision Trend indicator on the primary chart timeframe.
- For Longs: Both the signal AND the trend must be bullish (blue bar color)
- For Shorts: Both the signal AND the trend must be bearish (red bar color)
When to Use: Excellent for trend-following strategies. Prevents counter-trend trades that often have lower win rates.
004 – Precision Trend Filter HTF (Higher Timeframe)
Type: Integer (0 or 1)
Default: 0
Description: Trades only allowed when BOTH the higher timeframe (Anchor Chart) AND primary timeframe Precision Trend are in agreement.
Example: Trading on 5-minute chart with 60-minute HTF filter
- Long signal on 5-min chart will only execute if BOTH the 5-min AND 60-min trends are bullish
When to Use: This is one of the most powerful filters. Multi-timeframe confirmation dramatically improves win rate. Highly recommended for beginners.
Note: HTF settings are configured in the “300-Series Groups” (covered in the HTF section).
005 – Session Times Filter
Type: Integer (0 or 1)
Default: 1
Description: Enable time-of-day restrictions for trading.
- 0: Trade 24 hours (no time restrictions)
- 1: Only trade during the session times configured in Group “101- Entry Filters- Session Times Filter”
When to Use: Most strategies perform better during specific market hours. For example, many ES strategies only trade during RTH (Regular Trading Hours) 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM ET.
006 – Trading Days Filter
Type: Integer (0 or 1)
Default: 0
Description: Enable day-of-week restrictions for trading.
- 0: Trade every day
- 1: Only trade on days selected in Group “102- Entry Filters- Trading Days Filter”
When to Use:
- Avoid Fridays which may have different characteristics
- Only trade Monday-Thursday for certain strategies
- Futures traders may want to enable/disable Sunday evening sessions
007 – Step MA Bias Filter
Type: Integer (0 or 1)
Default: 0
Description: Uses the BWT Step MA indicator to determine trend bias and filter entries.
- 1: Only trade when price action agrees with Step MA trend direction
- 0: Disabled
When to Use: The Step MA is a unique moving average that “steps” with price structure. Good for strong trending markets.
008 – Precision MA Filter
Type: Integer (0 or 1)
Default: 0
Description: Uses the BWT Precision MA (adaptive moving average) as an entry filter.
When to Use: The Precision MA adapts to market conditions. Good for dynamic filtering based on volatility and trend strength.
009 – Precision AI MA Filter
Type: Integer (0 or 1)
Default: 0
Description: Uses the BWT Precision AI-MA (Artificial Intelligence Moving Average) as an entry filter.
When to Use: Advanced adaptive filter that uses multiple parameters to adjust to market conditions.
010 – Daily ORB Filter
Type: Integer (0 or 1)
Default: 0
Description: Only allows trades in the direction of the daily session open breakout.
Example: If price opens and immediately moves above the previous day’s close (bullish), only long trades allowed for the day.
When to Use: Markets often show directional bias from the opening. This filter captures that bias.
011 – Weekly ORB Filter
Type: Integer (0 or 1)
Default: 0
Description: Only allows trades in the direction of the weekly session open breakout.
When to Use: Longer-term directional bias filter. Good for capturing weekly trends.
012 – News Event Filter
Type: Checkbox (True/False)
Default: False
Description: Disable trading around high-impact news events.
How it Works: The system will not take new trades within a specified time window before/after scheduled news events.
When to Use: Many traders avoid news events due to unpredictable volatility and widening spreads. Highly recommended for beginners.
Configuration: News filter settings are in Group “106- Entry Filters- News Filter Settings”
014 – Price Zone Filter
Type: Integer (0 or 1)
Default: 0
Description: Only allows trades when price is OUTSIDE a defined price zone (support/resistance zone).
Use Case: If you identify a consolidation zone from 4500-4520, set this zone and only take breakout trades above 4520 or below 4500.
016 – Moving Average 1 Filter
Type: Checkbox (True/False)
Default: False
Description: Uses Moving Average #1 as an entry filter based on configured rules.
When to Use: Classic trend filter – only trade above/below a moving average. Very popular for trend-following systems.
Configuration: MA1 settings are in Group “107- Entry Filters- MA1 Settings”
017 – Moving Average 2 Filter
Type: Checkbox (True/False)
Default: False
Description: Uses Moving Average #2 as an entry filter.
Configuration: MA2 settings are in Group “108- Entry Filters- MA2 Settings”
018 – Moving Average 3 Filter
Type: Checkbox (True/False)
Default: False
Description: Uses Moving Average #3 as an entry filter.
Configuration: MA3 settings are in Group “109- Entry Filters- MA3 Settings”
019 – ADX Filter
Type: Checkbox (True/False)
Default: False
Description: Uses the Average Directional Index (ADX) to filter trades based on trend strength.
How it Works: Only allows trades when ADX is above a minimum threshold, indicating sufficient trend strength.
When to Use: Prevents trading in choppy, non-trending markets. Excellent complement to trend-following systems.
Configuration: ADX settings are in Group “110- Entry Filters- ADX Settings”
Group: 101 – Session Times Filter
Define the specific hours when trading is allowed.
01A – Session Begin Hours
Type: Integer (0-23)
Default: 9
Description: Hour when trading session begins (24-hour format).
Example: 9 = 9:00 AM
01B – Session Begin Minutes
Type: Integer (0-59)
Default: 0
Description: Minute when trading session begins.
01C – Session Begin Seconds
Type: Integer (0-59)
Default: 0
Description: Second when trading session begins.
Usage Example: For ES trading RTH (9:30 AM – 4:00 PM EST):
- Begin Hours: 9
- Begin Minutes: 30
- Begin Seconds: 0
02A – Session End Hours
Type: Integer (0-23)
Default: 15
Description: Hour when NO NEW TRADES will be taken (24-hour format).
Important: This is when new entries stop. Existing positions will continue until the “Exit Time” specified in the Exit Settings.
02B – Session End Minutes
Type: Integer (0-59)
Default: 40
Description: Minute when no new trades will be taken.
02C – Session End Seconds
Type: Integer (0-59)
Default: 0
Description: Second when no new trades will be taken.
Usage Example: For ES RTH, stop new entries at 3:40 PM:
- End Hours: 15
- End Minutes: 40
- End Seconds: 0
Group: 102 – Trading Days Filter
Select which days of the week trading is allowed.
001 – Sunday
Type: Checkbox
Default: Enabled in SundayToFriday mode
Description: Allow trading on Sunday.
Note: Relevant for futures markets that open Sunday evening.
002 – Monday
Type: Checkbox
Default: Enabled
Description: Allow trading on Monday.
003 – Tuesday
Type: Checkbox
Default: Enabled
Description: Allow trading on Tuesday.
004 – Wednesday
Type: Checkbox
Default: Enabled
Description: Allow trading on Wednesday.
005 – Thursday
Type: Checkbox
Default: Enabled
Description: Allow trading on Thursday.
006 – Friday
Type: Checkbox
Default: Enabled
Description: Allow trading on Friday.
007 – Saturday
Type: Checkbox
Default: Disabled
Description: Allow trading on Saturday.
Note: Rarely needed except for specific cryptocurrency or forex markets.
Group: 103 – Step MA Bias Filter Settings
Configuration for the Step MA filter when enabled.
001 – MA Length
Type: Integer
Default: 20
Description: Length of the Step MA calculation.
002 – Step Size
Type: Decimal
Default: 50.0
Description: Size of the “step” in price points for the Step MA to adjust.
003 – MA Type
Type: Dropdown
Default: SMA
Description: Type of moving average used in the Step MA calculation (SMA, EMA, etc.).
004 – Sensitivity
Type: Decimal
Default: 0.5
Description: Sensitivity of the step factor. Higher values make the indicator less sensitive to price changes.
005 – Display On Chart
Type: Checkbox
Default: True
Description: Show the Step MA indicator on the chart.
006 – Display Color Bars
Type: Checkbox
Default: True
Description: Color the price bars based on Step MA trend direction.
007 – Color Mode
Type: Integer
Default: 0
Description: Coloring mode for the Step MA display.
008 – HighLow
Type: Checkbox
Default: False
Description: Use high/low for Step MA calculation instead of close.
Group: 104 – BWT PrecisionMA Filter Settings
Settings for the Precision MA filter.
001 – P1MAType
Type: Dropdown
Default: PrecisionMA
Description: Moving average type for the Precision MA.
002 – P2Length
Type: Integer
Default: 10
Description: Period length for the Precision MA calculation.
003 – P3AMAFast
Type: Integer
Default: 2
Description: Fast period for Adaptive Moving Average (AMA) component.
004 – P4AMASlow
Type: Integer
Default: 30
Description: Slow period for Adaptive Moving Average (AMA) component.
005 – P5ShowDots
Type: Checkbox
Default: True
Description: Display dots at turning points on the chart.
006 – Show Average Indicator
Type: Checkbox
Default: True
Description: Display the Precision MA indicator on the chart.
007 – P7SmoothingPeriod
Type: Integer
Default: 0
Description: Additional smoothing period for the moving average. Set to 0 to disable.
Group: 105 – BWT Precision AI-MA Filter Settings
Configuration for the AI-MA filter.
001 – Length
Type: Integer
Default: 7
Description: Length parameter for the AI-MA calculation.
002 – Phase
Type: Integer
Default: 50
Description: Phase parameter for the AI-MA algorithm.
003 – Vector
Type: Integer
Default: 2
Description: Vector parameter for the AI-MA algorithm.
004 – Show Dots
Type: Checkbox
Default: True
Description: Display dots at turning points.
006 – Show Average Indicator
Type: Checkbox
Default: True
Description: Display the Precision AI-MA indicator on the chart.
Group: 106 – News Filter Settings
Configuration for news event filtering.
001 – Disable Before (Minutes)
Type: Integer (Minutes)
Default: 30
Description: Stop taking new trades this many minutes BEFORE a scheduled news event.
Example: Set to 30 to stop trading 30 minutes before major news releases.
002 – Disable After (Minutes)
Type: Integer (Minutes)
Default: 30
Description: Don’t resume trading until this many minutes AFTER a scheduled news event.
Example: Set to 30 to wait 30 minutes after news before resuming trading.
003 – Use News Background Color
Type: Checkbox
Default: False
Description: Change the chart background color during news event windows.
When Enabled: Provides visual confirmation that the news filter is active.
004 – News Background Color
Type: Color Picker
Default: Light Gray
Description: Background color to use during news event windows.
Group: 107 – MA1 Filter Settings
Configuration for Moving Average #1 filter.
MA1 Filter Type
Type: Dropdown
Options: SMA, EMA, WMA, HMA, TEMA, DEMA, etc.
Default: SMA
Description: Type of moving average to use.
MA1 Period
Type: Integer
Default: 20
Description: Period length for the moving average calculation.
Common Settings:
- 20: Short-term trend
- 50: Medium-term trend
- 200: Long-term trend
MA1 Direction
Type: Dropdown
Options:
- LongAbove_ShortBelow: Longs only when price above MA, shorts only when below
- LongBelow_ShortAbove: Longs only when price below MA, shorts only when above
- BothAbove: Both directions but only when price is above MA
- BothBelow: Both directions but only when price is below MA
Default: LongAbove_ShortBelow
Description: Defines the relationship between price and MA required for trade entry.
Most Common: LongAbove_ShortBelow – classic trend-following setup.
Show MA1 On Chart
Type: Checkbox
Default: True
Description: Display MA1 on the chart.
MA1 Line Color
Type: Color Picker
Default: Yellow
Description: Color of the MA1 line on the chart.
MA1 Line Style
Type: Dropdown (Solid, Dash, Dot, etc.)
Default: Solid
Description: Line style for MA1 display.
MA1 Line Width
Type: Integer
Default: 2
Description: Width of the MA1 line in pixels.
MA1 Line Opacity
Type: Integer (0-100)
Default: 80
Description: Opacity/transparency of the MA1 line (0=invisible, 100=fully opaque).
Group: 108 – MA2 Filter Settings
Configuration for Moving Average #2. All parameters identical to MA1:
- MA2FilterType: Type of moving average (Default: SMA)
- MA2Period: Period length (Default: 50)
- MA2Direction: Price/MA relationship rule (Default: LongAbove_ShortBelow)
- ShowMA2OnChart: Display on chart (Default: True)
- MA2LineColor: Line color (Default: Cyan)
- MA2LineStyle: Line style (Default: Dash)
- MA2LineWidth: Line width (Default: 2)
- MA2LineOpacity: Opacity (Default: 80)
Common Use: MA2 as a medium-term trend filter when combined with MA1 as short-term.
Group: 109 – MA3 Filter Settings
Configuration for Moving Average #3. All parameters identical to MA1/MA2:
- MA3FilterType: Type of moving average (Default: SMA)
- MA3Period: Period length (Default: 200)
- MA3Direction: Price/MA relationship rule (Default: LongAbove_ShortBelow)
- ShowMA3OnChart: Display on chart (Default: True)
- MA3LineColor: Line color (Default: Magenta)
- MA3LineStyle: Line style (Default: Dot)
- MA3LineWidth: Line width (Default: 2)
- MA3LineOpacity: Opacity (Default: 80)
Common Use: MA3 as long-term trend filter (200 period) – only trade in direction of major trend.
Group: 110 – ADX Filter Settings
Configuration for the ADX (Average Directional Index) filter.
ADX Period
Type: Integer
Default: 14
Description: Period for ADX calculation.
Standard: 14 is the traditional ADX period from Welles Wilder.
ADX Minimum Value
Type: Decimal
Default: 25
Description: Minimum ADX value required to allow trades.
ADX Interpretation:
- 0-20: Weak or no trend (choppy market)
- 20-25: Developing trend
- 25-50: Strong trend
- 50+: Very strong trend
Recommended: Start with 25. Increase to 30+ for very strong trend filter, decrease to 20 to allow more trades.
Show ADX On Chart
Type: Checkbox
Default: True
Description: Display ADX indicator on the chart.
Filter Strategy Guidelines
Beginner Setup (Conservative)
- Filters Enabled: 1 (On)
- Trade Direction: Both
- Precision Trend Filter HTF: 1 (On) - Most important!
- Session Times Filter: 1 (On) - Trade only RTH
- Trading Days Filter: 1 (On) - Monday-Thursday only
- MA1 Filter: On - 200 SMA, LongAbove_ShortBelowThis setup provides maximum filtering for conservative, high-probability trades.
Intermediate Setup (Balanced)
- Filters Enabled: 1 (On)
- Trade Direction: Both
- Precision Trend Filter: 1 (On)
- Precision Trend Filter HTF: 1 (On)
- Session Times Filter: 1 (On)
- ADX Filter: On - Minimum 25Balanced approach with trend confirmation and strength filtering.
Advanced Setup (Aggressive)
- Filters Enabled: 1 (On)
- Trade Direction: Both
- Precision Trend Filter: 1 (On)
- Session Times Filter: 1 (On)Minimal filtering for more trade frequency. Requires experience and active monitoring.
Important Filter Concepts
AND Logic
All enabled filters use AND logic. This means EVERY enabled filter must pass for a trade to execute.
Example: If you have enabled:
- Precision Trend Filter (must be bullish for long)
- MA1 Filter (price must be above MA)
- ADX Filter (ADX must be > 25)
Then ALL THREE must be true simultaneously for a long trade.
Filter Testing
When adding a new filter:
- Enable it alone first (disable other filters)
- Observe how it affects trade frequency
- Combine with other filters incrementally
- Backtest thoroughly before live trading
Filter Conflicts
Some filter combinations can be too restrictive:
- Too many filters → Very few trades
- Conflicting filters → No trades at all
Recommended: Start with 2-3 filters and add more only if needed.
Next Section: Higher Timeframe (HTF) Configuration →