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PipsGrowth

MT5 Expert Advisor Tutorials

Master automated trading on MetaTrader 5. Build, optimize, and deploy profitable Expert Advisors using MQL5.

Beginner

Getting Started with MT5 EAs

Learn the fundamentals of Expert Advisor development on MetaTrader 5 platform.

Your First MT5 Expert Advisor

30 min

Build a simple moving average crossover EA from scratch

✓MQL5 Basics
✓OnTick() Function
✓Order Placement
✓Testing

Understanding MQL5 Structure

45 min

Learn the core components and syntax of MQL5 programming

✓Variables
✓Functions
✓Event Handlers
✓Built-in Functions

Working with Indicators

40 min

How to integrate technical indicators into your EA

✓iMA()
✓iRSI()
✓iMACD()
✓Custom Indicators
Intermediate

Advanced EA Development

Master complex trading logic, risk management, and multi-timeframe analysis.

Risk Management Systems

60 min

Implement dynamic position sizing and stop-loss management

✓Position Sizing
✓Trailing Stops
✓Break-even Logic
✓Max Drawdown

Multi-Timeframe Analysis

50 min

Build EAs that analyze multiple timeframes simultaneously

✓TimeFrame Selection
✓Trend Confirmation
✓Filter Logic
✓Synchronization

Order Management & Modification

55 min

Advanced techniques for managing open positions and pending orders

✓Partial Closes
✓Order Modification
✓Grid Systems
✓Hedging
Advanced

Professional EA Optimization

Optimize performance, backtest strategies, and prepare EAs for live trading.

Strategy Optimization & Backtesting

75 min

Use MT5 Strategy Tester to optimize and validate your EA

✓Genetic Algorithms
✓Walk-Forward Analysis
✓Monte Carlo
✓Overfitting Prevention

Performance & Speed Optimization

60 min

Make your EA faster and more efficient

✓Code Profiling
✓Memory Management
✓Tick Processing
✓Indicator Caching

Live Trading Preparation

45 min

Essential checks before deploying your EA to real accounts

✓Slippage Handling
✓Connection Errors
✓Logging
✓Emergency Stops

MQL5 Code Examples

Simple Buy Order

Basic market order execution

MQL5
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Execute Buy Order |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
void ExecuteBuyOrder()
{
double price = SymbolInfoDouble(_Symbol, SYMBOL_ASK);
double sl = price - 100 * _Point; // 100 pips SL
double tp = price + 200 * _Point; // 200 pips TP
MqlTradeRequest request = {};
MqlTradeResult result = {};
request.action = TRADE_ACTION_DEAL;
request.symbol = _Symbol;
request.volume = 0.1;
request.type = ORDER_TYPE_BUY;
request.price = price;
request.sl = sl;
request.tp = tp;
request.deviation = 10;
request.magic = 123456;
request.comment = "MT5 EA Buy";
if(!OrderSend(request, result))
Print("OrderSend error: ", GetLastError());
}

Moving Average Crossover

Detect MA crossover signals

MQL5
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Check for MA Crossover Signal |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int CheckMACrossover()
{
double fast_ma[], slow_ma[];
ArraySetAsSeries(fast_ma, true);
ArraySetAsSeries(slow_ma, true);
// Get MA values
int fast_handle = iMA(_Symbol, _Period, 50, 0, MODE_SMA, PRICE_CLOSE);
int slow_handle = iMA(_Symbol, _Period, 200, 0, MODE_SMA, PRICE_CLOSE);
CopyBuffer(fast_handle, 0, 0, 3, fast_ma);
CopyBuffer(slow_handle, 0, 0, 3, slow_ma);
// Check for crossover
if(fast_ma[1] > slow_ma[1] && fast_ma[2] <= slow_ma[2])
return 1; // Bullish crossover
if(fast_ma[1] < slow_ma[1] && fast_ma[2] >= slow_ma[2])
return -1; // Bearish crossover
return 0; // No signal
}

Trailing Stop Implementation

Dynamic trailing stop for open positions

MQL5
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Trailing Stop Function |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
void TrailingStop(double trailPoints)
{
for(int i = PositionsTotal() - 1; i >= 0; i--)
{
if(PositionSelectByTicket(PositionGetTicket(i)))
{
if(PositionGetString(POSITION_SYMBOL) != _Symbol) continue;
double positionOpenPrice = PositionGetDouble(POSITION_PRICE_OPEN);
double currentSL = PositionGetDouble(POSITION_SL);
double currentPrice = PositionGetInteger(POSITION_TYPE) == POSITION_TYPE_BUY
? SymbolInfoDouble(_Symbol, SYMBOL_BID)
: SymbolInfoDouble(_Symbol, SYMBOL_ASK);
double newSL = 0;
if(PositionGetInteger(POSITION_TYPE) == POSITION_TYPE_BUY)
{
newSL = currentPrice - trailPoints * _Point;
if(newSL > currentSL && newSL < currentPrice)
{
ModifyPosition(PositionGetTicket(i), newSL, PositionGetDouble(POSITION_TP));
}
}
}
}
}

Risk Management Function

Calculate position size with risk management

MQL5
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Calculate Position Size Based on Risk |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
double CalculatePositionSize(double riskPercent, double stopLossPips)
{
double accountBalance = AccountInfoDouble(ACCOUNT_BALANCE);
double riskAmount = accountBalance * (riskPercent / 100.0);
double tickSize = SymbolInfoDouble(_Symbol, SYMBOL_TRADE_TICK_SIZE);
double tickValue = SymbolInfoDouble(_Symbol, SYMBOL_TRADE_TICK_VALUE);
double point = SymbolInfoDouble(_Symbol, SYMBOL_POINT);
double pipValue = (tickValue / tickSize) * point * 10;
double positionSize = riskAmount / (stopLossPips * pipValue);
// Normalize to broker's lot step
double lotStep = SymbolInfoDouble(_Symbol, SYMBOL_VOLUME_STEP);
positionSize = MathFloor(positionSize / lotStep) * lotStep;
return positionSize;
}

Best Practices & Tips

Always Use Stop Losses

Never run an EA without proper stop-loss protection. Every trade should have a defined maximum risk.

Backtest Thoroughly

Test your EA on at least 10 years of historical data across different market conditions before going live.

Optimize for Real Conditions

Include spread, commission, and slippage in your backtests. Use realistic tick data, not just M1 bars.

Start Small

Begin with minimum lot sizes on a demo or micro account. Scale up only after consistent profitability.

Monitor & Log Everything

Implement comprehensive logging to track every decision your EA makes. This is crucial for debugging.

Keep It Simple

Complex doesn't mean better. Simple, robust strategies often outperform over-optimized complex ones.

Additional Resources

💡 Ready to Start Building?

Download MetaTrader 5, open the MetaEditor (F4), and start with a simple EA. The best way to learn is by doing. Start with the beginner tutorials above, test everything on a demo account, and gradually build your skills. Remember: profitable automated trading takes time, patience, and continuous learning.

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