u/Ok_Airline9211

"I'm building a 100% automated scalper bot on MetaTrader 5 for Gold (XAUUSD)" The system runs Python, executes through MT5 API, no manual touch.

I've spent weeks on the core architecture — entry detection, exits, risk management, multi-agent voting, macro filters, news lockdown, regime detection, broker-side fail-safes.

But before I lock my final rule set, I want to hear from real scalpers — what fixed, non-negotiable rules SHOULD a scalper bot follow?

Specifically asking about:

1. Time filters — Which hours/sessions do you avoid no matter what? Any specific windows you only trade?
2. News rules — How long before/after news do you stay out? Any news you trade through?
3. Day-of-week filters — Mondays? Fridays? Any day you never scalp?
4. Spread rules — Max spread you accept? Mid-trade emergency exits on spread spikes?
5. Volatility filters — ATR-based skip rules? Skip when ATR too low or too high?
6. Loss limits — Daily loss cap? Consecutive loss limit? Drawdown brakes?
7. Re-entry rules — Cooldown after a loss? After SL hit on same setup?
8. Entry confluence — Minimum confluence factors required? Block on conflicting signals?
9. Exit logic — Fixed TP or trailing? Move SL to breakeven when? Partial closes?
10. Position sizing — Fixed lot or risk-based? Scale with confidence?
11. Anti-revenge logic — Any rules to prevent the bot from chasing after losses?
12. Hard stops — What triggers you to KILL the bot for the day?

What's worked for you? What rules saved your account? What rules made it worse?

Open to any insight — even brutal "don't even bother automating this" reality checks.

Thanks in advance 🙏