Skip to main content

Cookie preferences

We use cookies to keep the site working (necessary). With your consent, we may also use analytics cookies to understand usage and improve the site.

Necessary cookies
Required for security and core site functionality.
Always on

You can change this later in the footer via "Cookie settings".

SteadyFlowFX Engine Setup Guide
MetaTrader 5 Installation

The SteadyFlowFX Engine is a single MetaTrader 5 Expert Advisor that trades three validated trend markets — Gold (XAUUSD), the Dow (US30) and USD/JPY — each as its own internal "slot" on the H1 timeframe, protected by one account-level drawdown stop. You attach it once, set your broker symbols and risk, and run it. Backtested only — leveraged trading risks substantial loss. Always test on a demo account first.

Gold · XAUUSDDow · US30USD/JPY · USDJPY
Last updated: June 3, 2026Reviewed by SteadyFlowFX Team

Prefer it offline?

Download this full guide as a PDF to keep alongside your install.

Download the PDF guide

What You Will Need

MetaTrader 5

MT5 installed on a PC or VPS and connected to any MT5 broker account.

Your license

The Engine is locked to your trading account. Your activation comes with your purchase.

About 10 minutes

Install, map your broker symbols, set your risk, and start on a demo account.

Step-by-Step Setup

1

Install in MetaTrader 5

Place the EA file in your MT5 Experts folder and attach it to one H1 chart.

  • Unzip the download. You get SteadyFlowFX_Engine.ex5, the SteadyFlowFX_Engine.set settings file, and this guide.
  • In MT5, go to File → Open Data Folder, then open the MQL5/Experts/ folder.
  • Copy SteadyFlowFX_Engine.ex5 into MQL5/Experts/.
  • Restart MT5, or right-click Expert Advisors in the Navigator panel and choose Refresh.
  • Open any H1 (1-hour) chart, then drag the Engine from the Navigator onto the chart.
  • Enable AutoTrading — the button in the MT5 toolbar must be green.

Important: Attach the Engine to ONE chart only. It trades Gold, US30 and USD/JPY from a single instance — do not add it three times.

2

Map the symbols to your broker

Set each market to your broker's exact symbol name, or that market stays OFF.

  • In the EA's Inputs tab, set InpGoldSymbol, InpDowSymbol and InpYenSymbol to the exact names your broker uses.
  • Symbol names differ between brokers — for example, RoboForex's Dow is .US30Cash, not US30.
  • The Engine auto-recognises common names (Gold: XAUUSD; Dow: US30, DJ30, WS30; USD/JPY: USDJPY). Anything else must be typed exactly.
  • A market whose symbol is not found shows OFF on the dashboard and will not trade.

Tip: Unsure of the exact name? Open Market Watch (Ctrl+M), right-click → Show All, and copy the symbol name exactly as your broker lists it.

3

Set your risk

Choose how much of your account each market risks per trade.

  • InpRiskGold, InpRiskDow and InpRiskYen set the risk per trade as a percentage of your account. 1.0 means 1%.
  • The bundled .set uses 1% per market — a sensible, conservative starting point.
  • Total risk is capped: if the three markets together exceed 3%, the Engine automatically scales each one down to fit.
  • The strategy parameters themselves are sealed; risk is the main lever you control.

Tip: To trade smaller while you build confidence on demo, lower these values (e.g. 0.5). Higher risk increases both potential gains and drawdown.

4

Protection — the drawdown stop

One account-level stop closes everything if drawdown gets too deep.

  • InpDDKillPct is the drawdown stop (default 33%). If account equity falls this far below its highest point, the Engine closes ALL positions and pauses trading.
  • It protects the whole account across all three markets, using one shared equity peak.
  • The pause survives restarts — the Engine remembers that it is halted.
  • To resume after a pause: set InpResetState to true once (this re-arms it and resets the peak), then set it back to false.

Important: While paused, the Engine opens no new trades. Only set InpResetState=true once you have reviewed what happened and want to continue.

5

Account type & second copies

Tell the Engine if you're on a cent account; otherwise leave the trade-ID base alone.

  • InpIsCent: set this to true ONLY if your broker account is a cent account. On a normal account leave it false — getting this wrong mis-sizes your trades.
  • InpMagicBase (default 880000) tags the Engine's trades. Only change it if you run a second copy of the Engine on the SAME account, so the two do not clash.

Tip: Most traders never touch these two settings. Cent-account users must set InpIsCent=true.

6

The on-chart dashboard

A panel on the chart shows the status of each market.

  • InpShowDashboard (default true) shows a panel with each market's status (ON/OFF), its risk, and the account drawdown state.
  • If a market shows OFF, its symbol name did not match — revisit step 2.
  • Turning the dashboard off does not affect trading; it just gives you a cleaner chart.
7

License & activation

Your purchase activates the Engine on your trading account.

  • The Engine is licensed to your trading account. Activation details are included with your purchase.
  • Until it is activated, the Engine manages and closes any existing trades but will not open new ones.

Tip: The exact activation steps will be finalised here shortly. Any questions in the meantime — email [email protected].

Settings Reference

InputDefaultWhat it does
InpTradeGoldtrueEnable the Gold (XAUUSD) market.
InpGoldSymbolXAUUSDYour broker's exact Gold symbol.
InpRiskGold1.0Gold risk per trade, as % of account.
InpTradeDowtrueEnable the Dow (US30) market.
InpDowSymbolUS30Your broker's exact Dow symbol (e.g. .US30Cash).
InpRiskDow1.0Dow risk per trade, as % of account.
InpTradeYentrueEnable the USD/JPY market.
InpYenSymbolUSDJPYYour broker's exact USD/JPY symbol.
InpRiskYen1.0USD/JPY risk per trade, as % of account.
InpDDKillPct33.0Drawdown stop (%). Equity this far below peak → close all + pause.
InpMaxSpread0Max spread filter in points; 0 = off.
InpIsCentfalseSet true ONLY on cent accounts.
InpMagicBase880000Trade-ID base; change only for a 2nd copy on the same account.
InpShowDashboardtrueShow the on-chart dashboard.
InpResetStatefalseResume after a drawdown pause: switch ON once, then back OFF.

SteadyFlowFX_Engine.set (bundled): 1% risk per market, 33% drawdown stop, all three markets enabled. Load this in the EA Inputs dialog (Load button) for safe defaults, then only change your broker's symbol names.

Troubleshooting FAQ

A market shows OFF on the panel

The symbol name does not match your broker. Open the Inputs tab and set InpGoldSymbol / InpDowSymbol / InpYenSymbol to your broker's exact names (for example, RoboForex's Dow is .US30Cash). A slot whose symbol is not found is skipped automatically.

No trades are opening

Check three things: (1) AutoTrading is green in the MT5 toolbar; (2) your symbols are mapped (no markets showing OFF); (3) your license is active — an unlicensed copy manages existing trades but opens no new ones.

Trading paused itself

The drawdown stop triggered: equity fell InpDDKillPct% below its peak, so all positions were closed and trading halted. To resume, set InpResetState=true once, then set it back to false.

I am on a cent account

Set InpIsCent=true so position sizing reads your balance correctly. Leave it false on a standard account — setting it wrong will mis-size your trades.

Risk disclaimer

Past and backtested performance does not guarantee future results. The SteadyFlowFX Engine is a trading tool, not financial advice. Leveraged trading carries a high risk of loss and may not be suitable for everyone. Always test on a demo account first and never risk money you cannot afford to lose.

Questions about the Engine?

We are happy to help you get set up. Reach out and we will point you in the right direction.

View the EngineContact us