Exit Conditions Overview

Exit conditions determine when and how your strategy closes open positions. A well-designed exit strategy is often more important than entry conditions for overall performance.

StratBase.ai supports multiple exit methods that can be used independently or combined:

| Method | Description | Configuration | |--------|-------------|---------------| | Stop-Loss | Close at a loss threshold | Fixed %, ATR-based, indicator, price level | | Take-Profit | Close at a profit target | Simple %, multi-level, signal-based | | Trailing Stop | Dynamic stop that follows price | Activation %, trail distance % | | Breakeven | Move stop to entry price after reaching profit | Activation % | | Signal-Based Exit | Close on indicator condition | Same Logic Builder as entry | | Time-Based Exit | Close after N candles | Max bars in trade |

Protects against large losses by closing the position when price moves against you.

Types:

• Fixed % — close at a set percentage from entry (e.g., -2%)
• ATR-based — dynamic SL based on market volatility (e.g., 2× ATR)
• Indicator-based — SL at an indicator level (e.g., below Parabolic SAR)
• Price level — SL at a specific price

See Stop Loss Configuration for full details.

Locks in gains by closing the position at a profit target.

Types:

• Simple % — close at a set percentage profit (e.g., +5%)
• Custom multi-level — partial closes at multiple levels (e.g., 50% at +3%, 50% at +6%)
• Signal-based — close when an indicator condition is met

See Take Profit Configuration for full details.

A dynamic stop-loss that follows the price as it moves in your favor:

1. Activates after price reaches a minimum profit (activation %)
2. Trails behind the price at a set distance (trail %)
3. Closes the position if price reverses by the trail distance

See Trailing Stop & Breakeven for full details.

Moves the stop-loss to the entry price after reaching a minimum profit:

1. Position opens at entry price
2. Price moves in your favor by the activation %
3. Stop-loss is moved to entry price (break-even point)
4. You can no longer lose on this trade (excluding slippage/commission)

Important: Trailing Stop and Breakeven are mutually exclusive — you cannot use both on the same strategy. Enable one, and the other is automatically disabled.

Close positions based on indicator conditions, using the same Logic Builder as entry:

• Close long when RSI > 70 (overbought)
• Close short when MACD cross_over Signal (bullish reversal)
• Close when price crosses below a moving average

Signal-based exits are configured in the Exit Conditions section of the configurator.

Best practice is to combine multiple exit methods:

Conservative Example

• SL: 2% fixed
• TP: 4% simple (2:1 reward/risk ratio)

Advanced Example

• SL: 1.5× ATR
• TP: Level 1 at +3% (50% position), Level 2 at +6% (50% position)
• Trailing: Activates at +2%, trails at 1%

Signal + Safety Net

• Primary exit: RSI > 70 (signal-based)
• Safety SL: 5% fixed (protects if signal never triggers)

Tip: Always set a stop-loss, even when using signal-based exits. A safety stop protects against unexpected market moves when your signal conditions may not trigger.

Q: What happens if multiple exit conditions trigger on the same candle? A: The first condition that triggers is executed. Priority order: SL → TP → Trailing → Signal.

Q: Can I exit without any conditions? A: Yes, but not recommended. Without exit conditions, the position stays open until the end of the test period.

Q: Should I use fixed % or ATR-based stops? A: ATR-based stops adapt to market volatility — wider in volatile markets, tighter in calm markets. Fixed % is simpler but less adaptive.

• Stop Loss Configuration
• Take Profit Configuration
• Trailing Stop & Breakeven
• Entry Conditions — Logic Builder