Threshold

[[threshold]] compares reference with comparison by applying the relative gap defined by threshold. The reference, comparison, and threshold expressions are evaluated on every candle, so the condition is recalculated from the current values.

The condition is evaluated as follows:

• position = "above": the condition is true when $\text{reference}\ge \text{comparison}\times (1+\frac{\text{threshold}}{100})$.
• position = "below": the condition is true when $\text{reference}\le \text{comparison}\times (1-\frac{\text{threshold}}{100})$.

When the condition is true, execution continues to the block named in next_block_id.

Block declaration#

A strategy can contain multiple [[threshold]] blocks.

Examples#

Fixed threshold#

This example routes to next_block when close_price is at least 5% above ma_slow.

[[threshold]]
id            = "my_threshold"
position      = "above"
reference     = "close_price"
comparison    = "ma_slow"
threshold     = 5
next_block_id = "next_block"

Threshold from expression#

Use quotes when the threshold is computed from other values.

[[threshold]]
id            = "dynamic_threshold"
position      = "above"
reference     = "close_price"
comparison    = "ma_slow"
threshold     = "(atr / close_price) * 100"
next_block_id = "next_block"

Optimizable threshold with [[constant]]#

This example defines entry_gap_pct as a search range and uses it as the threshold value.

[[constant]]
id    = "entry_gap_pct"
start = 1.0
stop  = 3.0
step  = 0.5

[[threshold]]
id            = "gap_filter"
position      = "above"
reference     = "close_price"
comparison    = "ma_slow"
threshold     = "entry_gap_pct"
next_block_id = "next_block"

Block parameters#

This block does not produce any specific output variable; it only controls the execution flow according to the observed difference.

Equivalent with [[condition]]#

The [[threshold]] block is a readability shortcut for a condition expression.

Equivalent for position = "above":

[[condition]]
id            = "gap_filter"
condition     = "close_price >= ma_slow * (1 + entry_gap_pct / 100)"
next_block_id = "next_block"

Equivalent for position = "below":

[[condition]]
id            = "gap_filter"
condition     = "close_price <= ma_slow * (1 - entry_gap_pct / 100)"
next_block_id = "next_block"

Common pitfalls#

• A negative threshold shifts the target level in the opposite direction and makes the condition more permissive. In practice, use a non-negative threshold unless this behavior is intentional.
• If comparison is zero or negative, the intuitive meaning of a “percentage gap” is weaker. Confirm that this is the behavior you actually want.