Trading Protocols Guide

Protocols are checklists that help you maintain discipline and consistency in your trading. Use them to ensure you follow your trading plan every time.

What Are Protocols?

A protocol is a structured checklist you complete at specific times during your trading:

Before the market opens
Before entering a trade
While holding a position
After closing a trade
At the end of the day
Weekly review

Each protocol contains sections with checklist items. Completing the checklist helps you stay disciplined and catches mistakes before they happen.

Protocol Types

Type	When to Use
Pre-Market	Before market opens - prepare for the trading day
Pre-Trade	Before entering any trade - validate the setup
In-Trade	While holding a position - manage the trade
Post-Trade	After closing a trade - review execution
End-of-Day	After market close - daily reflection
Weekly	Once per week - review overall performance

Accessing Protocols

Go to Routines in the sidebar
Click Manage Protocols in the top right

This opens the Protocols page where you can view, create, and manage all your protocol checklists.

Creating a Protocol

Go to Routines, then click Manage Protocols
Click Create Protocol
Choose the protocol type
Enter a name and optional description
Add sections and items using the builder
Click Save Protocol

Using Templates

When creating a protocol, you can start with a template that includes common checklist items. Templates are available for each protocol type. You can customize them after creation.

Protocol Structure

Protocols are organized into:

Sections

Groups of related checklist items. Examples:

"Market Analysis" section for pre-market checks
"Risk Management" section for pre-trade validation
"Execution Review" section for post-trade analysis

Items

Individual checklist questions within each section. Each item has a type:

Item Type	Description
Checkbox	Simple check/uncheck (did you do this?)
Yes / No / N/A	Three options for more nuanced answers
Rating (1-5)	Rate something on a scale
Text	Free-form text response
Dropdown	Select from predefined options
Number	Enter a numeric value

Required Items

Mark items as "required" to ensure they must be completed. Use this for critical checks you should never skip.

Using Protocols in Trading

Post-Trade Protocol

When adding a trade (Step 5), you can complete your post-trade protocol:

Your protocol appears with all sections and items
Check off items as you review them
Protocol responses are saved with the trade

If you have multiple post-trade protocols, you'll be asked to select which one to use.

Other Protocol Types

Pre-Market, End-of-Day, and Weekly protocols are completed directly from the Routines page. Click "Start" on a routine card to fill out your checklist.

Example Protocols

Pre-Trade Checklist

Setup Check:

Setup is part of my trading plan?
Trading with the trend?
Quality setup, not chasing?
Checked for upcoming news?

Risk Check:

Entry level defined?
Stop loss defined?
Target(s) defined?
Position size within limits?

Post-Trade Review

Quick Review:

Followed my trading plan?
Rate my execution (1-5)
Screenshot saved?
Emotions under control?

Protocol Limits

FREE plan: 1 protocol
PRO plan: Unlimited protocols

Best Practices

Keep it focused - Don't make protocols too long; you're less likely to complete them
Use required items sparingly - Only mark truly critical items as required
Be honest - The value comes from honest answers, not just checking boxes
Review periodically - Update protocols as your trading evolves
Use different types - A pre-trade checklist catches different things than a post-trade review
Build the habit - Consistency is key; complete protocols every time

Why Use Protocols?

Reduce emotional decisions - A checklist adds objectivity
Catch mistakes early - Pre-trade checks prevent bad entries
Learn faster - Post-trade reviews highlight what to improve
Build consistency - Following the same process leads to consistent results
Track discipline - See patterns in where you break your rules