The routine moves decisions out of the heat of the moment. Mark structure before the open, observe the opening range, execute only complete setups, and finish with a process review.

Build the map before the bell

Before regular trading begins, mark the locations and conditions that will make you interested, cautious, or completely inactive.

01
Open the 15-minute chart and check overnight structure, gaps, major events, and price relative to prior value.
02
Mark prior POC, VAH, VAL, supply, demand, naked POCs, poor highs or lows, and important structure.
03
Classify value overlap as inside, partial, or none; note profile shape and POC migration.
04
Write the directional and rotational scenarios without predicting which one must happen.
05
Check the economic calendar and define when you will observe instead of trade.

Five-point pre-trade checklist covering location, trigger, participation, invalidation, and reward-to-risk. — Visual Academy C09 · Pre-Trade FiveAccepted internal asset · Source preserved

Observe the opening range

The documented routine observes the first 15 minutes instead of treating the first burst of volatility as a complete setup.

Watch where the opening high and low form relative to your profile levels.
Watch which side of POC price accepts and whether value begins to migrate.
Check whether Flow Pro shows direction or opening noise.
Update scenarios only when new evidence changes the map.

Run the session loop

Repeat the same gates for every candidate. A valid pass is part of the routine, not a missed opportunity.

01
Approach
Watch price reach a marked Volume Profile location.
02
Trigger
Require the QPulse condition inside the documented entry window.
03
Confirm
Check Flow Pro activity and the 15-minute structure.
04
Calculate
Write entry, stop, target, invalidation, and reward-to-risk.
05
Decide
Enter, wait, or pass. Do not invent a sixth gate after price moves.
06
Manage
Honor the stop, scale at planned levels, and tighten risk only under the written rule.

Trading sequence diagram showing that location must be defined before an execution trigger is considered. — Visual Academy D04 · Location to TriggerAccepted internal asset · Source preserved

Use red-day and green-day protocols

Losses and wins can both distort the next decision. The protocol changes behavior before emotion changes size.

After 3 losses

Interrupt the loop

Step away, review whether each trade followed the playbook, and do not increase size.

After 4 losses

Treat the session as suspect

The documented routine says to consider ending the day instead of demanding recovery.

After 5 losses

Stop

Close the decision loop, journal the evidence, and protect the capital for the next session.

After a strong day

Protect the gain

Reduce aggression, keep size consistent, and do not turn confidence into a late-session giveback.

Close the day with evidence

The post-market review is where today becomes useful data instead of a story about winning or losing.

Daily STS closeout

Setups taken / passed:
Best process decision:
Rule followed under pressure:
Rule broken or nearly broken:
Stop and size adherence:
Market regime and Flow Pro quality:
One chart to save:
One adjustment for tomorrow:

Post-trade review diagram separating decision quality, rule adherence, evidence, and outcome. — Visual Academy D09 · Process ReviewAccepted internal asset · Source preserved

Next steps

Turn the routine into measurable execution and review.

Build the risk frameworkCalculate size, portfolio heat, and circuit breakers before trading.Manage an open tradeApply targets, breakeven, trailing, and exit rules.Review the sessionTurn trades into process and expectancy data.

Run the STS trading day