Professional Trading Operations: Workflow & Automation

Rachel's "Routine" (January-March 2024)

Morning: No prep. Woke up at 9:45 AM, checked phone in bed, saw "SPY up 0.5%", opened laptop.

9:50 AM: Scrambled to find trade. No HTF analysis. Saw 5-min "potential breakout", entered.

During trade: No plan. Watched price tick by tick. Moved stop loss when hit. Hoped.

After trade: Win = "I'm a genius." Loss = "Market is rigged." No journal. No review.

Result over 12 weeks:

• 82 trades, 21 winners (26% win rate)
• Avg win: +$420 | Avg loss: -$1,340 (R:R = 0.31:1 terrible!)
• Moved stop 34 times (turned -$2K losses into -$7K disasters)
• Revenge traded after losses (5 losing streaks of 4+ trades)
• No pre-market prep → entered at worst prices (Daily resistance, 4H tops)
• Final damage: -$73,000 (-60.8%)

The Recovery: Professional Operations Framework

The Professional Trading Day

Phase 1: Pre-Market Routine (30-60 min)

Goal: Identify regime, bias, key levels BEFORE market opens.

Step 1: Macro Context (5 min)

• Check overnight news (earnings, Fed, geopolitical)
• Futures direction (SPY, NQ, YM)
• VIX level (< 15 = calm, 20-30 = elevated, > 30 = panic)
• Economic calendar (rate decisions, NFP, CPI)

Step 2: HTF Analysis - Daily Chart (10 min)

• [ ] Trend: Up/Down/Range (above/below 50/200 EMA)
• [ ] Volume Oracle regime: Trending/Ranging/Volatile
• [ ] Major support/resistance levels marked
• [ ] Plutus POC identified (fair value)
• [ ] Bias: Long/Short/Neutral

Step 3: MTF Structure - 4H/1H Chart (10 min)

• [ ] Swing highs/lows identified
• [ ] Janus Atlas sweep zones marked
• [ ] Recent order flow (absorption vs. exhaustion)
• [ ] Entry zones defined (where setups may be observed)

Step 4: Watchlist Prep (10 min)

• 3-5 instruments max (focus > diversification)
• For each: HTF bias, key levels, expected range
• Alert setup: Notify when price approaches entry zones

Step 5: Risk Parameters (5 min)

• Current equity: $_____
• Drawdown: ____% (adjust risk if > 10%)
• Max risk per trade today: ____% (1-2%)
• Max total heat: 6-8%
• Max trades: 3-5 (quality > quantity)

Phase 2: Trading Session (Market Hours)

9:30-10:30 AM: Avoid or Scalp Only

Why: High volatility, whipsaws, fake breakouts
Action: Watch only, identify regime shift

Exception: Experienced scalpers (tight stops, small size)

10:30 AM-12:00 PM: Prime Trading Window

Why: Regime established, institutional flow clear
Action: Execute A-grade setups aligned with HTF

Checklist before entry:
1. HTF aligned? ✓
2. Janus sweep or structure setup? ✓
3. Order flow indicating (Plutus, footprint)? ✓
4. Volume Oracle regime = Trending? ✓
5. Risk < 2%? ✓

If all ✓ → Execute

12:00-2:00 PM: Lunch Lull (Avoid or Manage Only)

Why: Low volume, sideways chop, poor R:R
Action: Manage open positions, avoid new entries

Exception: Swing trades unaffected by intraday noise

2:00-4:00 PM: Afternoon Session

Why: Volume returns, potential continuation or potential reversal
Action: Execute setups IF regime unchanged

Caution: Watch for EOD manipulation (power hour 3-4 PM)

Phase 3: Post-Market Review (15-30 min)

Step 1: Journal All Trades (5 min/trade)

• Setup type, potential entry/exit, P&L
• Emotional state, mistakes, lessons

Step 2: Performance Review (10 min)

• Today's performance: ___%
• Today's net P&L: $_____
• Best trade: ____ (why?)
• Worst trade: ____ (what went wrong?)
• Repeated mistakes: ____

Step 3: Tomorrow's Prep (10 min)

• Mark key levels for tomorrow
• Note regime shift signals to watch
• Update watchlist if needed

Workspace Setup

Multi-Monitor Configuration (Recommended)

Monitor 1 (Primary): Trading Charts

• 4-pane layout: Daily, 4H, 1H, 15min
• Signal Pilot indicators: Janus, Plutus, Volume Oracle, Omnideck
• Order potential entry panel

Monitor 2 (Secondary): Order Flow & Analysis

• Footprint chart (real-time delta)
• Order book / DOM (depth of market)
• Volume Profile (Plutus Flow)

Monitor 3 (Optional): Market Context

• Futures (ES, NQ)
• VIX, DXY, TNX (macro)
• News feed
• Trade journal spreadsheet

Single Monitor Layout (Minimalist)

Layout: 4-quadrant split
Top-Left: Daily chart (HTF context)
Top-Right: 4H chart (MTF structure)
Bottom-Left: 15min chart (LTF execution)
Bottom-Right: Order potential entry + P&L tracker

Automation Tools

Tool 1: Price Alerts

Setup alerts at key levels (don't stare at charts 8 hours/day).

SPY at $520
Alerts:
- $522 (4H resistance, potential short)
- $518 (support, potential long)
- $525 (Daily resistance, profit-taking area)

Platform: TradingView alerts, broker app notifications

Tool 2: Pre-Market Scanners

Scan for instruments meeting criteria.

Scanner criteria:
- HTF uptrend (above 50 EMA)
- Volume Oracle = Trending
- Janus sweep within last 10 candles
- ATR > 0.5% (sufficient volatility)

Result: 3-5 high-probability candidates daily

Tool 3: Auto Position Sizing Calculator

Input: Entry, stop → Output: Position size.

Tool: Spreadsheet or script

Input:
- Account: $10,000
- Risk %: 2%
- Example entry: $100
- Example stop: $98

Calculation:
Risk $ = $10,000 × 2% = $200
Stop distance = $100 - $98 = $2
Position = $200 / $2 = 100 shares

Output: "Buy 100 shares"

Tool 4: Trade Journal Auto-Logger

Import trades from broker API → auto-populate journal.

Brokers with API: Interactive Brokers, TD Ameritrade, Alpaca

Script:
1. Fetch closed trades (via API)
2. Parse: Symbol, Entry, Exit, P&L
3. Append to journal spreadsheet

Manual add: Setup type, confluence, emotions, lessons

Tool 5: Equity Curve Tracker

Auto-update equity chart after each trade.

Tool: Google Sheets + Google Apps Script

After trade close:
1. Append trade P&L to sheet
2. Calculate cumulative equity
3. Update chart (X = Trade #, Y = Equity)

Visual feedback: See progress (or decline) immediately

Checklists (Professional Discipline)

Pre-Entry Checklist

STOP. Before clicking "Buy/Sell", verify:

[ ] HTF analysis complete (Daily trend, bias)
[ ] MTF structure identified (4H levels, Janus zones)
[ ] Setup grade = A or B (if C, skip)
[ ] Confluence ≥ 3/5 (Janus + Plutus + Volume Oracle)
[ ] Regime appropriate (avoid volatile)
[ ] Entry trigger indicated (sweep reclaim, potential breakout close)
[ ] Stop loss defined (structure-based, ATR)
[ ] Target defined (HTF level, 2:1+ R:R)
[ ] Position size calculated (risk 1-2%)
[ ] Emotional state = CALM (not FOMO/revenge)

If ANY box unchecked → AVOID ENTRY

In-Trade Checklist

After entry:

[ ] Stop loss order placed (don't trust mental stops)
[ ] Target order placed (or alert set)
[ ] Journal potential entry started (log setup, entry price)
[ ] Set "check-in" timer (review in 30 min / 1 hour)

During trade:
[ ] Resist urge to check every 30 seconds
[ ] Do NOT move stop loss wider (accept loss if triggered)
[ ] If hitting target sooner than expected → trail stop, lock profit
[ ] If stalling near potential entry for > X candles → consider potential exit (time-based stop)

Post-Exit Checklist

Trade closed:

[ ] Log exit price, potential exit reason
[ ] Calculate actual R, net P&L
[ ] Emotional state check (calm? frustrated?)
[ ] Mistakes made? (log in journal)
[ ] Lesson learned? (1 key takeaway)
[ ] Update equity tracker
[ ] Wait 30 min before next trade (avoid revenge/overtrading)

Common Operational Failures

Failure 1: No Pre-Market Prep

Bad: Wake up at 9:35 AM, open chart, "let's see what looks good..."

Good: Pre-market routine complete by 9:20 AM. Bias clear, levels marked, watchlist ready.

Failure 2: No Hard Stop Loss

Bad: "I'll just watch it and potential exit if it goes against me."

Result: -5% loss (panic potential exit far below intended stop).

Good: Stop loss order placed immediately after potential entry. Discipline enforced.

Failure 3: Overtrading

Bad: 20 trades/day (chasing, FOMO, bored).

Result: 35% expectancy, negative R, death by 1000 fees.

Good: Max 3-5 trades/day. Quality > quantity.

Failure 4: No Post-Trade Review

Bad: Close trade, forget about it, repeat same mistake next day.

Good: 5-min journal potential entry. Lesson logged. Pattern spotted within 1 week.

Failure 5: Trading Through Drawdown

Bad: Down 18%, keep trading full size (trying to "win it back").

Result: Down 30% (spiral).

Good: 15% DD → Reduce size 50%, only A-grade setups. 20% DD → Stop trading.

Weekly Operations Routine

Sunday Evening (60 min): Weekly Prep

• Week review: Analyze all trades (expectancy, avg R, P&L)
• Mistake analysis: What repeated errors occurred?
• Update trading plan: Add 1 new rule based on lesson
• Week ahead: Mark major economic events (FOMC, CPI, earnings)
• Watchlist refresh: Update instruments to focus on

Monthly Operations (2-3 hours)

• Performance report: Total P&L, Sharpe ratio, max DD
• Deep dive: Pivot tables (time-of-day, setup type, regime)
• Strategy audit: Is edge still working? Regime changed?
• Goal adjustment: Next month targets (P&L, expectancy, process goals)
• System maintenance: Update indicators, test new tools

Signal Pilot Operations Integration

Omnideck: Multi-Timeframe Dashboard

Use Omnideck for 1-glance context check.

Omnideck shows:
- HTF: Trend, Volume Oracle regime
- MTF: Janus zones, Plutus POC
- LTF: Real-time order flow

Pre-entry: Glance at Omnideck
If all green (aligned) → Execute
If mixed → Wait for confluence

Janus Atlas: Auto-Alert on Sweeps

Setup: Alert when Janus detects sweep on watchlist

Alert triggers:
"SPY: Janus sweep at $520.40 (support)"

Action: Check footprint, Plutus, HTF alignment
If confluence → Execute
If not → Monitor for reclaim

Volume Oracle: Regime Filter

Pre-market: Check Volume Oracle on Daily

If Trending → Trade pullbacks, breakouts
If Ranging → Fade extremes, tight targets
If Volatile → Reduce size or sit out

Operational rule: Only trade when Volume Oracle = Trending (highest edge)

Key Takeaways

• Pre-market routine: 30-60 min (HTF analysis, bias, levels)
• Prime trading: 10:30 AM-12 PM (avoid open, lunch)
• Checklists: Pre-potential entry, in-trade, post-potential exit (discipline)
• Automation: Alerts, scanners, position calculators (efficiency)
• Weekly/monthly review: Spot patterns, improve process

📝 Knowledge Check

Test your understanding of professional trading operations:

Exercises

Exercise 1: Build your pre-market routine

Write down 5 steps you'll complete BEFORE first trade. Time yourself (target: 30-45 min).

Exercise 2: Create pre-potential entry checklist

List 10 items you MUST verify before every trade. Print it. Tape it to monitor.

Amateurs improvise. Professionals systemat ize. Your edge isn't just your strategy—it's your operations.

Related Lessons

Educational only. Trading involves substantial risk of loss. Past performance does not guarantee future results.