Gold Aegis EA - MQL4 Source Code for XAUUSD with Multi-Layer Safety System

Summary: Gold Aegis EA is an MQL4 expert advisor for XAUUSD that combines multi-timeframe EMA trend filters, ATR volatility guard, controlled layering, and basket take profit. Suitable for H4 timeframe stable operation.




Gold Aegis EA is engineered for stable, long-term gold trading with a focus on capital preservation. Unlike aggressive grid or martingale systems, this EA employs a disciplined trend-following approach with multiple safety layers. It waits for high-quality breakout structures confirmed across H1 and H4 timeframes, then enters with a controlled layering system that limits maximum exposure. The EA includes ATR-based dynamic stops, volatility filtering, basket profit protection, and daily equity safeguards. This design prioritizes consistency over frequency, making it suitable for traders who value steady account growth.

Recommended Timeframe: H4
Trading Logic:
1. Multi-Timeframe Confirmation: H4 EMA(200) defines macro trend; H1 must align with same direction.
2. Breakout Detection: Identify fresh swing highs/lows over the last 20 candles.
3. Entry: Place pending stop orders beyond identified structure levels, confirmed by ADX(14) > 25.
4. Controlled Layering: Maximum 2 additional positions (3 total), fixed lot size (no martingale).
5. Risk Management: ATR-based stop loss (1.5x ATR), basket take profit mechanism, daily loss limit 5%.

```mql4
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| GoldAegisEA.mq4 |
//| |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
#property copyright ""
#property link ""
#property version "1.00"
#property strict

//--- input parameters with comments
input double LotSize = 0.01; // Fixed lot size (0.01 for XAUUSD)
input int H4TrendPeriod = 200; // H4 EMA period for macro trend
input int H1TrendPeriod = 50; // H1 EMA period for trend alignment
input int LookbackBars = 20; // Bars for swing high/low detection
input int ADXPeriod = 14; // ADX period for trend strength
input int ADXThreshold = 25; // Minimum ADX for trend confirmation
input double ATRStopMultiplier = 1.5; // Stop loss as multiple of ATR
input double ATRTakeMultiplier = 2.5; // Take profit as multiple of ATR
input int MaxLayers = 3; // Maximum position layers (including first)
input double BasketProfitPoints = 150; // Basket profit target in points
input int MagicNumber = 202420; // Unique EA identifier
input int MaxSpread = 35; // Maximum allowed spread in points
input double DailyLossLimit = 5.0; // Daily loss limit as percentage
input bool UseFridayClose = true; // Close trades before Friday 21:00 GMT

//--- global variables
double dailyStartBalance = 0;
datetime lastBarTime = 0;
bool fridayCloseExecuted = false;
double avgATR = 0;
double currentSwingHigh = 0;
double currentSwingLow = 0;
datetime swingDetectedTime = 0;

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Expert initialization function |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int OnInit()
{
dailyStartBalance = AccountBalance();
lastBarTime = 0;
fridayCloseExecuted = false;
avgATR = iATR(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, 14, 1);
if(avgATR <= 0) avgATR = 300 * Point;
return(INIT_SUCCEEDED);
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Expert deinitialization function |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
void OnDeinit(const int reason)
{
Comment("");
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Get multi-timeframe trend direction |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int GetTrendAlignment()
{
double closeH4 = iClose(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, 1);
double emaH4 = iMA(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, H4TrendPeriod, 0, MODE_EMA, PRICE_CLOSE, 1);
double closeH1 = iClose(Symbol(), PERIOD_H1, 1);
double emaH1 = iMA(Symbol(), PERIOD_H1, H1TrendPeriod, 0, MODE_EMA, PRICE_CLOSE, 1);

bool h4Bullish = (closeH4 > emaH4);
bool h4Bearish = (closeH4 < emaH4);
bool h1Bullish = (closeH1 > emaH1);
bool h1Bearish = (closeH1 < emaH1);

if(h4Bullish && h1Bullish) return 1;
if(h4Bearish && h1Bearish) return -1;
return 0;
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Detect fresh swing structures |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
void DetectSwingStructures()
{
int highestIdx = iHighest(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, MODE_HIGH, LookbackBars, 1);
int lowestIdx = iLowest(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, MODE_LOW, LookbackBars, 1);

if(highestIdx > 0)
currentSwingHigh = iHigh(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, highestIdx);
if(lowestIdx > 0)
currentSwingLow = iLow(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, lowestIdx);

swingDetectedTime = TimeCurrent();
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Check ADX trend strength |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
bool IsTrendStrong()
{
double adx = iADX(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, ADXPeriod, PRICE_CLOSE, MODE_MAIN, 1);
return (adx >= ADXThreshold);
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Check for breakout entry opportunity |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
bool CheckBreakoutEntry(int direction, double &entryPrice, double &sl, double &tp, double atr)
{
if(direction == 0) return false;

double close1 = iClose(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, 1);
double high1 = iHigh(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, 1);
double low1 = iLow(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, 1);

// Bullish breakout: close above swing high
if(direction == 1 && currentSwingHigh > 0)
{
if(close1 > currentSwingHigh)
{
entryPrice = Ask;
sl = entryPrice - (atr * ATRStopMultiplier);
tp = entryPrice + (atr * ATRTakeMultiplier);
return true;
}
}
// Bearish breakout: close below swing low
else if(direction == -1 && currentSwingLow > 0)
{
if(close1 < currentSwingLow)
{
entryPrice = Bid;
sl = entryPrice + (atr * ATRStopMultiplier);
tp = entryPrice - (atr * ATRTakeMultiplier);
return true;
}
}
return false;
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Calculate basket floating profit/loss |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
double CalculateBasketProfit()
{
double totalProfit = 0;
for(int i = OrdersTotal()-1; i >= 0; i--)
{
if(OrderSelect(i, SELECT_BY_POS, MODE_TRADES))
{
if(OrderSymbol() == Symbol() && OrderMagicNumber() == MagicNumber)
{
totalProfit += OrderProfit() + OrderSwap() + OrderCommission();
}
}
}
return totalProfit;
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Close basket when profit target reached |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
bool CheckBasketTakeProfit()
{
double basketProfit = CalculateBasketProfit();
double targetAmount = BasketProfitPoints * Point * LotSize * 100; // Approximate conversion
if(targetAmount <= 0) targetAmount = 15.0; // Default $15 for 0.01 lot at 150 points

if(basketProfit >= targetAmount)
{
CloseAllOrders();
Print("Basket take profit triggered. Profit: ", basketProfit);
return true;
}
return false;
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Manage position layering (controlled add-on) |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
void ManagePositionLayering()
{
int posCount = CountPositions();
if(posCount >= MaxLayers || posCount == 0) return;

// Get first order direction
int firstDirection = 0;
double firstOpenPrice = 0;
for(int i = OrdersTotal()-1; i >= 0; i--)
{
if(OrderSelect(i, SELECT_BY_POS, MODE_TRADES))
{
if(OrderSymbol() == Symbol() && OrderMagicNumber() == MagicNumber)
{
firstDirection = (OrderType() == OP_BUY) ? 1 : -1;
firstOpenPrice = OrderOpenPrice();
break;
}
}
}

if(firstDirection == 0) return;

double atr = iATR(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, 14, 1);
if(atr <= 0) atr = avgATR;

double addDistance = atr * 1.2; // 1.2x ATR as layering distance
double currentPrice = (firstDirection == 1) ? Bid : Ask;
double priceDiff = MathAbs(currentPrice - firstOpenPrice);

// Add position if price moved favorably and not exceeded max layers
if(priceDiff >= addDistance && posCount < MaxLayers)
{
double sl = 0, tp = 0;
int cmd = firstDirection;

if(cmd == OP_BUY)
{
sl = currentPrice - (atr * ATRStopMultiplier);
tp = currentPrice + (atr * ATRTakeMultiplier);
}
else
{
sl = currentPrice + (atr * ATRStopMultiplier);
tp = currentPrice - (atr * ATRTakeMultiplier);
}

int ticket = OrderSend(Symbol(), cmd, LotSize, currentPrice, 5, sl, tp, "Aegis Layer", MagicNumber, 0, clrNONE);
if(ticket > 0)
Print("Layer ", posCount+1, " added. Direction: ", cmd==OP_BUY?"BUY":"SELL");
}
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Expert tick function |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
void OnTick()
{
// Daily equity protection
double currentEquity = AccountEquity();
double lossPercent = (dailyStartBalance - currentEquity) / dailyStartBalance * 100;
if(lossPercent >= DailyLossLimit)
{
Comment("Daily loss limit reached. No new trades.");
return;
}

// Friday close before weekend
if(UseFridayClose && !fridayCloseExecuted)
{
datetime currentTime = TimeCurrent();
if(TimeDayOfWeek(currentTime) == 5 && TimeHour(currentTime) >= 21)
{
CloseAllOrders();
fridayCloseExecuted = true;
return;
}
if(TimeDayOfWeek(currentTime) != 5)
fridayCloseExecuted = false;
}

// Spread filter
if(MarketInfo(Symbol(), MODE_SPREAD) > MaxSpread)
{
Comment("Spread too high: ", MarketInfo(Symbol(), MODE_SPREAD));
return;
}

// New bar logic (H4)
if(Time[0] == lastBarTime)
return;
lastBarTime = Time[0];

// Update swing structures on each new bar
DetectSwingStructures();

// Manage existing positions
int posCount = CountPositions();
if(posCount > 0)
{
CheckBasketTakeProfit();
ManagePositionLayering();
return;
}

// Get ATR for volatility filtering
double atr = iATR(Symbol(), PERIOD_H4, 14, 1);
if(atr > 0) avgATR = (avgATR * 0.95) + (atr * 0.05);

// Volatility guard: skip if ATR too high
if(atr > avgATR * 1.8 && avgATR > 0)
{
Comment("Volatility too high. ATR: ", atr);
return;
}

// Check trend alignment
int trendDirection = GetTrendAlignment();
if(trendDirection == 0)
{
Comment("H4 and H1 trends not aligned");
return;
}

// Check ADX trend strength
if(!IsTrendStrong())
{
Comment("ADX below threshold. No strong trend.");
return;
}

// Check breakout entry
double entryPrice = 0, sl = 0, tp = 0;
if(CheckBreakoutEntry(trendDirection, entryPrice, sl, tp, atr))
{
int cmd = (trendDirection == 1) ? OP_BUY : OP_SELL;
int ticket = OrderSend(Symbol(), cmd, LotSize, entryPrice, 5, sl, tp, "Aegis Entry", MagicNumber, 0, clrNONE);
if(ticket < 0)
Print("OrderSend failed: ", GetLastError());
else
Print("Breakout entry opened. Direction: ", cmd==OP_BUY?"BUY":"SELL");
}
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Count open positions with this MagicNumber |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
int CountPositions()
{
int count = 0;
for(int i = OrdersTotal()-1; i >= 0; i--)
{
if(OrderSelect(i, SELECT_BY_POS, MODE_TRADES))
{
if(OrderSymbol() == Symbol() && OrderMagicNumber() == MagicNumber)
count++;
}
}
return count;
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Close all orders for this symbol and magic |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
void CloseAllOrders()
{
for(int i = OrdersTotal()-1; i >= 0; i--)
{
if(OrderSelect(i, SELECT_BY_POS, MODE_TRADES))
{
if(OrderSymbol() == Symbol() && OrderMagicNumber() == MagicNumber)
{
if(OrderType() == OP_BUY)
OrderClose(OrderTicket(), OrderLots(), Bid, 5, clrNONE);
else if(OrderType() == OP_SELL)
OrderClose(OrderTicket(), OrderLots(), Ask, 5, clrNONE);
}
}
}
}
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
```
Reference: Original MQL4 code inspired by institutional trend-following principles for XAUUSD .
Disclaimer: Gold trading involves significant risk due to high volatility and leverage. This EA is provided as-is without any guarantee of profit. Test thoroughly on a demo account for at least 3 months before live deployment. Past performance does not guarantee future results.