Most trading systems use time-based blocks like Run at Time or Run in Session. But these rely on real clock time, which shifts from broker to broker once you're live in MetaTrader — server time and daylight-saving offsets aren't standardized, so a fixed time trigger tuned to one broker's clock can drift on another. To solve this, you can make your trading system “count candlesticks” and use that counter as a time replacement.
How It Works
Create a variable called
Counter.Start it at 0 every day.
Every new candlestick, add +1 to the counter.
On the 1H timeframe, this means:
Counter = 1 → 01:00
Counter = 8 → 08:00
Counter = 16 → 16:00 (4PM)
At midnight, reset the counter to zero. That way, each new day starts fresh.
This gives you a simple system where candles = hours, enabling you to build and test strategies based on “time” inside Profectus.AI.
Example: Counting Logic
Add a decision tree running Run per Candle (set to 1H).
Add a Formula Block:
Counter = Counter + 1.Add a reset rule: at midnight, set
Counter = 0.
Now your trading system will keep track of time as long as it runs.
Example: Using the Counter
Let's say you want to open a trade exactly at 4PM (16:00):
Start a new decision tree with Run per Candle (1H).
Add a Trade Rule Block: Is Counter = 16?
Add another Trade Rule Block: Are there no trades open?
If both conditions are true → trigger Buy Now block.
That's it! You've replaced a fixed clock input with a variable you can backtest.
Why This Matters
You can now backtest time-based ideas in Profectus, with logic that behaves the same once it's live in MetaTrader.
Flexible: Counter can be applied to any timeframe (e.g., 5M candles → Counter 48 = 4 hours).
Reusable: Plug the Counter into other logic, like session filters or custom rules.
Download this example also shown below in the screenshot.
