# Automatic Settings Selection

This page shows how LuxSignals finds strong settings—fast. You can **let the optimizer pick** (recommended) or **lock values manually** once you know what you want.

***

### Before you optimize (1 minute)

Set these first so results reflect *your* risk:

* **Risk Management → Mode**: *Fixed Drawdown*, *Fixed Percent*, or *Fixed Amount*
* **Account Balance** and **Fees %** (if any)

> Why first? The optimizer converts backtest results into **money terms** using your risk mode, balance, and fees—so the “best” combo depends on these.

***

### Automatic mode (recommended)

**Where:** `General Settings → Settings Selection = Automatic`

1. **Choose an objective**

* *Total Profit* (money made, after fees)
* *Win Rate* (% of winning trades)
* *Profit Factor* (wins ÷ losses; >1.0 is good)
* *Min Drawdown* (prefers smoother equity)

2. **Define the search space**

* **Signal Length between** *(min … max)*\
  Lower = more signals; higher = cleaner signals.
* **ATR (SL/TP) mode**:\
  \&#xNAN;*Stop Loss between* (×ATR), *Risk-Reward between*
* **Pure Signals mode**:\
  \&#xNAN;*Length Smoothness between* (higher = fewer flips)

3. **Set resolution**

* **Signal Length Resolution** × **Risk Resolution**

  > Keep the product **≤ 1000** to avoid slow loads.

4. **Run it**

* The indicator **tests all combinations**, then **auto-selects the winner** on the **second-last candle**.
* Results appear in the **Dashboard** (bottom-right).
* Turn on **Heatmap** in `Visuals → Tables shown`.

> Tip: Start with *narrow* ranges and *modest* resolution. Widen only if you need more exploration.

***

### Reading the Heatmap (Automatic)

* **Color:** Green = better, Red = worse (relative to your objective).
* **Cells:** Each cell is a settings combo tested in the training window.
* **Headers:**
  * **ATR (SL/TP)**: Top rows show **RR** and **SL×ATR**; left column shows **Signal Length (L…)**.
  * **Pure Signals:** Columns are different **Smoothness** candidates; rows are **Signal Lengths (L…)**.
* **Numbers:**
  * *Profit Factor* → shown as `0.00`
  * *Total Profit / Min Drawdown* → % of **Account Balance**
  * *Win Rate* → % (higher is better)

> The indicator already **uses the best cell**. Use the heatmap to *understand* why it chose that combo or to pick a different style when switching to Manual.

***

### Manual mode (full control)

**Where:** `General Settings → Settings Selection = Manual`

* **ATR (SL/TP) mode:** set **Signal Length**, **Stop Loss (×ATR)**, **Risk-Reward**.
* **Pure Signals:** set **Signal Length**, **Length Smoothness**, and optionally adjust **Signals Lengths Ratio** under *Advanced Settings*.

**When to use Manual**

* You want a **consistent style** across markets/timeframes.
* You’ve learned from Automatic and want to **lock the feel**.

> Pro move: Run Automatic, note the **Signal Length**, **SL×ATR**, **RR** (or **Smoothness**) shown in the Dashboard “Settings” section, then copy those values into Manual.

***

### The Selection Window (how the optimizer “sees” history)

To keep things fair and avoid look-ahead:

* LuxSignals **trains** on bars **from \~100 bars after start** up to the **second-last bar**.
* It **selects the best combo** on the **second-last bar**, then paints the live bar with that choice.
* The first **100 bars** are a warm-up (stabilizes indicators).

**Why your winner changes**

* Different **symbols/timeframes** → different volatility.
* Changing **Risk mode / Balance / Fees** reshapes the money maths.
* Market **regime shifts** (trend ↔ chop) favor different settings.

> Re-optimize when switching assets/timeframes, or after major volatility shifts.

***

### Quick recipes

* **Fast scan (ATR mode):**\
  Length 6–60, SL 1.0–2.5, RR 1.5–3.0, Resolutions 8×8 (≤1000 total)
* **Swing scan (Pure):**\
  Length 10–80, Smoothness 1.0–6.0, Resolutions 8×8 (≤1000)

***

### Troubleshooting & tips

* **Loads slowly / no output:** Reduce ranges or lower resolutions; ensure product ≤ **1000**.
* **Too many trades:** Raise **Signal Length** or **Smoothness**; add **RSI Bias** or **Minimum candles between signals** (ATR mode).
* **Great backtest, poor forward feel:** Tighten ranges around realistic values and prefer **Profit Factor** or **Min Drawdown** over raw profit.

> Keep it simple: Start Automatic → read Heatmap/Dashboard → lock with Manual when you like the behavior.


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