What is "same_direction_ignore"? #
The "same_direction_ignore" parameter is a control flag used in your JSON alert when sending strategy-based signals to PickMyTrade for automated trading on Tradovate.
Its primary purpose is to prevent duplicate orders in the same direction when a position is already open.
How It Works #
When you set:
"same_direction_ignore": true
It tells PickMyTrade:
“If a position is already open in a certain direction (buy/sell), ignore any new alerts that come in the same direction. Only consider the first alert that goes in the opposite direction.”
Example Use Case #
Let’s say:
- You have a buy position already open (triggered from a previous alert).
- Another buy alert gets triggered — this will be ignored.
- If later a sell alert comes in — this will be executed, as it’s the opposite direction.
Why It’s Important #
- Prevents duplicate buy/sell orders from stacking up due to repeated alerts.
- Helps avoid overtrading, especially with strategies like trend-following or Fibonacci entries.
- Simplifies position management — especially if you are automating multiple alerts.
Heads-Up for Multi-Strategy Charts #
If you’re running multiple strategies (e.g., trend + fib) on the same chart, setting "same_direction_ignore": true will block additional entries in the same direction, even if they come from different strategies.
To avoid confusion or unintended blocking:
- Use only one alert per chart, OR
- Run each strategy on separate charts for better control.
Best Practices #
| Action | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Use one alert per chart | Prevents quantity mismatch issues |
| Combine with risk management | Avoid large positions stacking |
| Test with replay mode | Validate alert behavior before going live |
What If I Don’t Use This Parameter? #
If you omit "same_direction_ignore", every alert will be treated as a fresh signal, regardless of the current position — potentially opening multiple trades in the same direction and causing position bloat.
Summary #
| Feature | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Parameter | "same_direction_ignore": true |
| Ignores same-direction | Yes |
| Executes opposite direction | Yes (first opposite only) |
| Use case | Strategy automation to prevent overtrading |
