General recommendations

When you’re just starting out with trading, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking more tools, more indicators, and more settings mean better results. But the truth is: less is more. The best approach for beginners is to start with a clean and minimal chart layout, focusing on the essentials and building confidence before diving into advanced features.

1. Avoid Advanced Settings and Filters

Many platforms offer dozens of chart types, timeframes, overlays, and filters. While these tools can be useful for advanced traders, they can easily overwhelm beginners. As a rule of thumb:

• Stick to basic candlestick or bar charts.

• Use standard timeframes like 1H, 4H, or Daily.

• Avoid experimenting with complex settings until you have a firm grasp on the basics.

2. Use Fewer Indicators

Indicators can be helpful, but cluttering your screen with too many will only confuse you. Start with one or two reliable indicators such as:

• Moving Averages (e.g., 50 and 200 EMA)

• RSI (Relative Strength Index) for momentum analysis

These can provide simple, yet effective insights without overwhelming your chart.

3. Clean Up the Interface

Most charting tools allow you to customize what you see. Take time to remove anything you don’t need:

• Hide volume bars, if not used

• Disable grid lines or excessive price markers

• Remove unnecessary toolbars or widgets

The goal is to reduce visual noise so your eyes can focus on price action and structure.

4. Focus on Key Price Levels

Instead of trying to predict every market move, concentrate on identifying:

• Support and resistance zones

• Recent swing highs and lows

• Major trend directions

Mark them manually and avoid auto-generated zones that change too frequently.

5. Stick to a Consistent Layout

Changing settings frequently can prevent you from recognizing patterns. Use the same layout every day and train your eye to spot movements, candle patterns, and market structure in a familiar environment.

Final Thoughts

The best setup for a beginner is one that fosters clarity and builds confidence. Don’t try to imitate advanced traders right away. Instead, start with the essentials, keep your chart clean, and give yourself room to grow. Remember: simplicity is not a weakness—it’s a strength.

What are we seeing in this image? Reduced HOBs that are very strong. The numbers in parentheses show how many Fair Value Gaps (FVGs) have been traversed.