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Graal Fractal Channel Strategy

Overview

The Graal Fractal Channel Strategy is a StockSharp port of the MetaTrader 4 expert advisor "Graal-003". The algorithm watches five-candle fractal patterns and confirms breakouts using adaptive price channels. When a valid bullish or bearish fractal appears, the strategy evaluates several filters (fractal tunnel, close-price envelope, and optional flat-market suppression) before entering in the breakout direction. An optional Williams %R overlay replicates the manual exit logic from the original robot, while hedge stop orders can be staged to emulate the EA's counter-trend protection.

Data flow and indicators

  • Subscribes to the configured CandleType (hourly candles by default).
  • Builds a rolling queue of the last ChannelPeriod candles to compute a Donchian-like close-price channel used for flat filters and orientation checks.
  • Detects five-bar fractal highs and lows directly from the candle stream.
  • Feeds the built-in WilliamsPercentRange indicator to monitor optional exit signals.

Trading workflow

  1. Fractal detection – the strategy tracks five consecutive finished candles. When the middle bar's high/low is the extreme compared to its two predecessors and two followers, it registers an upper or lower fractal and marks a pending short or long signal.
  2. Signal ageing – every new candle increases the fractal age. If SignalAgeLimit bars pass without execution, the pending signal expires.
  3. Channel evaluation – the rolling close channel supplies three filters:
    • Fractal tunnel: when UseFractalChannel is enabled, the close price must stay within a percentage of the distance between the latest fractal high and low (DepthPercent).
    • High/Low orientation: with UseHighLowChannel, the close must penetrate only a limited portion of the envelope (OrientationPercent).
    • Flat blocking: if AllowFlatTrading is disabled, trades are suspended while the channel width stays below FlatThresholdPips.
  4. Order execution – once the filters pass, the strategy normalizes the desired OrderVolume against the instrument constraints and sends a market order in the fractal direction.
  5. Hedge stops – when UseCounterOrders is active, the algorithm places the opposite stop order at the fractal price plus/minus OffsetPips, mirroring the EA's counter-trend staging.
  6. Williams exits – if UseWilliamsExit is enabled, the most recent Williams %R value closes long positions when it rises above -WilliamsThreshold and short positions when it falls below -100 + WilliamsThreshold.

Stop loss and take profit distances are optional. Whenever StopLossPips or TakeProfitPips is positive, the strategy converts the pip distance into an absolute price offset using the instrument tick size (with the 3/5 digit adjustment from the EA) and delegates protective order management to StartProtection.

Parameters

Parameter Default Description
OrderVolume 0.1 Base market order size before normalization against the instrument limits.
StopLossPips 500 Protective stop distance in pips. Converted to price and applied via StartProtection.
TakeProfitPips 500 Take profit distance in pips. Converted to price and applied via StartProtection.
OffsetPips 5 Extra distance used when staging counter-trend stop orders.
ChannelPeriod 14 Number of recent candles stored for the close-price channel.
UseFractalChannel false Requires price to remain inside the inner fractal corridor before entries.
DepthPercent 25 Percentage of the fractal range that defines the inner corridor.
UseHighLowChannel false Enables the Donchian-style close channel orientation filter.
OrientationPercent 20 Permitted penetration into the close channel when UseHighLowChannel is true.
AllowFlatTrading true Allows trading even when the market is flat according to the close channel width.
FlatThresholdPips 20 Minimum channel width (in pips) required when flat trading is disabled.
UseWilliamsExit false Activates Williams %R based exit rules.
WilliamsPeriod 14 Look-back period for the Williams %R indicator.
WilliamsThreshold 30 Sensitivity threshold (percentage points) for Williams %R exits.
UseCounterOrders false Places the opposite stop order after a market entry.
SinglePosition false Blocks additional entries in the same direction while a position is open.
SignalAgeLimit 3 Maximum number of new bars during which a fractal signal stays valid.
CandleType H1 Candle data series used for analysis (defaults to one-hour time frame).

Usage notes

  • The strategy expects instruments with a valid PriceStep, MinVolume, and VolumeStep so that volume normalization and pip conversion work correctly.
  • Counter-trend orders are automatically cancelled when the position is closed, when the strategy stops, or when the feature is disabled.
  • Williams %R exits act as a safety net and can close positions even if the original fractal signal is still active.
  • The algorithm resets all cached state (fractal buffers, Williams history, staged orders) whenever OnReseted is triggered.

Differences from the MetaTrader version

  • The StockSharp implementation uses high-level SubscribeCandles().Bind(...) subscriptions instead of manual indicator loops.
  • Protective stops rely on StartProtection, so no direct stop/limit order bookkeeping is required.
  • Volume is normalized against exchange limits before orders are sent, matching StockSharp conventions.

Precisely testable filter rules: A five-bar fractal uses strict comparisons with the middle bar and both neighbors on either side. A bar that qualifies as both an upper and lower fractal produces no directional entry. The channel is ready after ChannelPeriod completed closes. The fractal tunnel requires low + (high-low)*DepthPercent/100 <= close <= high - (high-low)*DepthPercent/100. The close-channel orientation requires a buy close within the upper OrientationPercent percent or a sell close within the lower OrientationPercent percent of that channel. A signal expires after more than SignalAgeLimit newly completed bars. A reversal sends one net market order of the old position's absolute size plus the normalized new OrderVolume. Counter stops are placed only after an actual entry fill and only if the opposite fractal level is known.

namespace StockSharp.Samples.Strategies;

using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Linq;

using StockSharp.Algo;
using StockSharp.Algo.Indicators;
using StockSharp.Algo.Strategies;
using StockSharp.BusinessEntities;
using StockSharp.MatchingEngine;
using StockSharp.Messages;

/// <summary>
/// Trades confirmed five-bar fractal signals with optional channel, Williams %R
/// and counter-stop filters. The indicator midpoint is not an entry signal.
/// </summary>
public class GraalFractalChannelStrategy : Strategy
{
    private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _orderVolume;
    private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _stopLossPips;
    private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _takeProfitPips;
    private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _offsetPips;
    private readonly StrategyParam<int> _channelPeriod;
    private readonly StrategyParam<bool> _useFractalChannel;
    private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _depthPercent;
    private readonly StrategyParam<bool> _useHighLowChannel;
    private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _orientationPercent;
    private readonly StrategyParam<bool> _allowFlatTrading;
    private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _flatThresholdPips;
    private readonly StrategyParam<bool> _useWilliamsExit;
    private readonly StrategyParam<int> _williamsPeriod;
    private readonly StrategyParam<decimal> _williamsThreshold;
    private readonly StrategyParam<bool> _useCounterOrders;
    private readonly StrategyParam<bool> _singlePosition;
    private readonly StrategyParam<int> _signalAgeLimit;
    private readonly StrategyParam<DataType> _candleType;

    private readonly Queue<(decimal High, decimal Low)> _bars = new();
    private readonly Queue<decimal> _closes = new();
    private decimal? _upperFractal;
    private decimal? _lowerFractal;
    private Sides? _pendingSide;
    private int _pendingAge;
    private int _finishedBars;
    private Order _entryOrder;
    private Order _counterOrder;
    private bool _closing;

    public decimal OrderVolume { get => _orderVolume.Value; set => _orderVolume.Value = value; }
    public decimal StopLossPips { get => _stopLossPips.Value; set => _stopLossPips.Value = value; }
    public decimal TakeProfitPips { get => _takeProfitPips.Value; set => _takeProfitPips.Value = value; }
    public decimal OffsetPips { get => _offsetPips.Value; set => _offsetPips.Value = value; }
    public int ChannelPeriod { get => _channelPeriod.Value; set => _channelPeriod.Value = value; }
    public bool UseFractalChannel { get => _useFractalChannel.Value; set => _useFractalChannel.Value = value; }
    public decimal DepthPercent { get => _depthPercent.Value; set => _depthPercent.Value = value; }
    public bool UseHighLowChannel { get => _useHighLowChannel.Value; set => _useHighLowChannel.Value = value; }
    public decimal OrientationPercent { get => _orientationPercent.Value; set => _orientationPercent.Value = value; }
    public bool AllowFlatTrading { get => _allowFlatTrading.Value; set => _allowFlatTrading.Value = value; }
    public decimal FlatThresholdPips { get => _flatThresholdPips.Value; set => _flatThresholdPips.Value = value; }
    public bool UseWilliamsExit { get => _useWilliamsExit.Value; set => _useWilliamsExit.Value = value; }
    public int WilliamsPeriod { get => _williamsPeriod.Value; set => _williamsPeriod.Value = value; }
    public decimal WilliamsThreshold { get => _williamsThreshold.Value; set => _williamsThreshold.Value = value; }
    public bool UseCounterOrders { get => _useCounterOrders.Value; set => _useCounterOrders.Value = value; }
    public bool SinglePosition { get => _singlePosition.Value; set => _singlePosition.Value = value; }
    public int SignalAgeLimit { get => _signalAgeLimit.Value; set => _signalAgeLimit.Value = value; }
    public DataType CandleType { get => _candleType.Value; set => _candleType.Value = value; }

    public GraalFractalChannelStrategy()
    {
        _orderVolume = Param(nameof(OrderVolume), 0.1m).SetGreaterThanZero().SetDisplay("Volume", "Entry volume", "Trading");
        _stopLossPips = Param(nameof(StopLossPips), 500m).SetNotNegative().SetDisplay("Stop Loss", "Pip distance", "Protection");
        _takeProfitPips = Param(nameof(TakeProfitPips), 500m).SetNotNegative().SetDisplay("Take Profit", "Pip distance", "Protection");
        _offsetPips = Param(nameof(OffsetPips), 5m).SetNotNegative().SetDisplay("Offset", "Counter stop offset in pips", "Protection");
        _channelPeriod = Param(nameof(ChannelPeriod), 14).SetGreaterThanZero().SetDisplay("Channel Period", "Completed closes", "Indicators");
        _useFractalChannel = Param(nameof(UseFractalChannel), false);
        _depthPercent = Param(nameof(DepthPercent), 25m);
        _useHighLowChannel = Param(nameof(UseHighLowChannel), false);
        _orientationPercent = Param(nameof(OrientationPercent), 20m);
        _allowFlatTrading = Param(nameof(AllowFlatTrading), true);
        _flatThresholdPips = Param(nameof(FlatThresholdPips), 20m);
        _useWilliamsExit = Param(nameof(UseWilliamsExit), false);
        _williamsPeriod = Param(nameof(WilliamsPeriod), 14).SetGreaterThanZero();
        _williamsThreshold = Param(nameof(WilliamsThreshold), 30m);
        _useCounterOrders = Param(nameof(UseCounterOrders), false);
        _singlePosition = Param(nameof(SinglePosition), false);
        _signalAgeLimit = Param(nameof(SignalAgeLimit), 3).SetNotNegative();
        _candleType = Param(nameof(CandleType), TimeSpan.FromHours(1).TimeFrame());
    }

    public override IEnumerable<(Security sec, DataType dt)> GetWorkingSecurities()
        => [(Security, CandleType)];

    protected override void OnReseted()
    {
        base.OnReseted();
        _bars.Clear();
        _closes.Clear();
        _upperFractal = null;
        _lowerFractal = null;
        _pendingSide = null;
        _pendingAge = 0;
        _finishedBars = 0;
        _entryOrder = null;
        _counterOrder = null;
        _closing = false;
    }

    protected override void OnStarted2(DateTime time)
    {
        base.OnStarted2(time);
        _bars.Clear();
        _closes.Clear();
        _upperFractal = null;
        _lowerFractal = null;
        _pendingSide = null;
        _pendingAge = 0;
        _finishedBars = 0;
        _entryOrder = null;
        _counterOrder = null;
        _closing = false;
        Volume = OrderVolume;

        var pip = PipSize();
        StartProtection(
            takeProfit: TakeProfitPips > 0m ? new Unit(TakeProfitPips * pip, UnitTypes.Absolute) : new Unit(),
            stopLoss: StopLossPips > 0m ? new Unit(StopLossPips * pip, UnitTypes.Absolute) : new Unit(),
            useMarketOrders: true, isLocalStop: true);

        var williams = new WilliamsR { Length = WilliamsPeriod };
        SubscribeCandles(CandleType).Bind(williams, ProcessCandle).Start();
    }

    private decimal PipSize()
    {
        var step = Security?.PriceStep ?? 0m;
        if (step <= 0m)
            throw new InvalidOperationException("Graal Fractal Channel requires a positive instrument price step.");
        return Security?.Decimals is 3 or 5 ? step * 10m : step;
    }

    private decimal NormalizeVolume(decimal volume)
    {
        if (Security?.VolumeStep is decimal step && step > 0m)
            volume = decimal.Floor(volume / step) * step;
        if (Security?.MinVolume is decimal min && min > 0m)
            volume = Math.Max(volume, min);
        if (Security?.MaxVolume is decimal max && max > 0m)
            volume = Math.Min(volume, max);
        return volume;
    }

    private static bool Pending(Order order) => order is not null &&
        order.State is not (OrderStates.Done or OrderStates.Failed);

    private void CancelCounter()
    {
        if (_counterOrder is not null && _counterOrder.State == OrderStates.Active)
            CancelOrder(_counterOrder);
        _counterOrder = null;
    }

    private void ProcessCandle(ICandleMessage candle, decimal williams)
    {
        if (candle.State != CandleStates.Finished)
            return;

        _finishedBars++;
        if (_pendingSide.HasValue && ++_pendingAge > SignalAgeLimit)
            _pendingSide = null;

        _bars.Enqueue((candle.HighPrice, candle.LowPrice));
        if (_bars.Count > 5)
            _bars.Dequeue();
        _closes.Enqueue(candle.ClosePrice);
        if (_closes.Count > ChannelPeriod)
            _closes.Dequeue();

        if (_bars.Count == 5)
        {
            var bars = _bars.ToArray();
            var upper = bars.Where((_, i) => i != 2).All(b => bars[2].High > b.High);
            var lower = bars.Where((_, i) => i != 2).All(b => bars[2].Low < b.Low);
            if (upper) _upperFractal = bars[2].High;
            if (lower) _lowerFractal = bars[2].Low;
            // A bar can be both a high and a low fractal: it is not a directional signal.
            if (upper != lower)
            {
                _pendingSide = upper ? Sides.Sell : Sides.Buy;
                _pendingAge = 0;
            }
            else if (upper)
                _pendingSide = null;
        }

        if (!UseCounterOrders || Position == 0m)
            CancelCounter();

        if (_closing)
        {
            if (Position != 0m)
                return;
            _closing = false;
        }

        if (UseWilliamsExit && _finishedBars >= WilliamsPeriod &&
            (Position > 0m && williams > -WilliamsThreshold ||
             Position < 0m && williams < -100m + WilliamsThreshold))
        {
            CancelCounter();
            _pendingSide = null;
            _closing = true;
            ClosePosition();
            return;
        }

        if (!_pendingSide.HasValue || Pending(_entryOrder) || !PassesFilters(candle.ClosePrice, _pendingSide.Value))
            return;

        var side = _pendingSide.Value;
        if (SinglePosition && (side == Sides.Buy ? Position > 0m : Position < 0m))
            return;

        var volume = NormalizeVolume(OrderVolume);
        if (volume <= 0m)
            return;

        // Reverse the existing net position in one order, rather than submitting
        // two uncoordinated default-volume orders.
        if (side == Sides.Buy && Position < 0m || side == Sides.Sell && Position > 0m)
            volume += Math.Abs(Position);

        CancelCounter();
        _entryOrder = new Order
        {
            Security = Security,
            Portfolio = Portfolio,
            Type = OrderTypes.Market,
            Side = side,
            Volume = volume,
            Comment = "Graal fractal entry",
        };
        RegisterOrder(_entryOrder);
        _pendingSide = null;
    }

    private bool PassesFilters(decimal close, Sides side)
    {
        if (_closes.Count < ChannelPeriod)
            return false;

        var highest = _closes.Max();
        var lowest = _closes.Min();
        var width = highest - lowest;
        if (!AllowFlatTrading && width < FlatThresholdPips * PipSize())
            return false;

        if (UseFractalChannel)
        {
            if (_upperFractal is not decimal high || _lowerFractal is not decimal low || high <= low)
                return false;
            var inner = (high - low) * DepthPercent / 100m;
            if (close < low + inner || close > high - inner)
                return false;
        }

        if (UseHighLowChannel)
        {
            if (width <= 0m)
                return false;
            var allowed = width * OrientationPercent / 100m;
            if (side == Sides.Buy && close < highest - allowed ||
                side == Sides.Sell && close > lowest + allowed)
                return false;
        }
        return true;
    }

    protected override void OnOwnTradeReceived(MyTrade trade)
    {
        base.OnOwnTradeReceived(trade);

        if (Position == 0m || !UseCounterOrders)
        {
            CancelCounter();
            return;
        }

        if (trade?.Order != _entryOrder || trade.Trade is null)
            return;

        CancelCounter();
        var side = Position > 0m ? Sides.Sell : Sides.Buy;
        var level = side == Sides.Sell ? _lowerFractal - OffsetPips * PipSize()
                                       : _upperFractal + OffsetPips * PipSize();
        if (level is not decimal price || price <= 0m)
            return;

        _counterOrder = new Order
        {
            Security = Security,
            Portfolio = Portfolio,
            Type = OrderTypes.Conditional,
            Side = side,
            Volume = Math.Abs(Position),
            Condition = new StopOrderCondition { ActivationPrice = Security.ShrinkPrice(price, ShrinkRules.Auto) },
            Comment = "Graal counter stop",
        };
        RegisterOrder(_counterOrder);
    }
}