Create and add indicators¶

Read the cTrader Algo guide on how custom indicators operate.

The process of creating a custom indicator is explained in the cTrader Algo guide, which includes a diagram illustrating the flow.

1. To create a new indicator, click the New indicator button located above the collapsible algorithm lists.

Enter the name of your new indicator.

2. Now, you can edit the sample code in the code editor window to the right of the sidebar.

When developing custom indicators, you can use existing code samples.

Refer to the References section of the cTrader Algo guide to learn more about the classes, methods and properties you can use when coding indicators. In addition, you can also write custom methods, as shown in the introduction to C# and .NET.

3. Save your indicator by clicking the Save button above the code editor window, selecting Save from the context menu or pressing Cmd+S.

Click the Build button above the code editor window, to the right of your algorithm, or in the algorithm actions menu. Alternatively, you can use the Cmd+B hotkey.

You will see the following message in the Build result window when your indicator builds successfully.

4. To add an instance in the cTrader Algo application, press the Plus icon to the right of the indicator in the algorithm list.

You can also add instances from the indicator actions menu

In the Trade application, you can add indicators to the active chart via the Chart toolbar or the Chart context menu.

5. Adjust your indicator parameters (if needed) in the Parameters section below the trading chart. You can also open and save parameters by clicking the corresponding buttons in the top-right corner of this section.

The added indicator will be displayed on the trading chart or in a separate area below it. Additionally, you can open the indicator Parameters window by right-clicking any indicator line. In other tabs of the same window, you can customise lines, levels and additional parameters of the indicator. Click Reset to restore the indicator parameters to default values.