DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this article constitutes financial or trading advice. All content is educational and informational only, as outlined in each client's agreement with Vector Algorithmics. Any modification of settings or parameters is made at the client's sole discretion and responsibility.

Category: Strategy Types | Last Updated: May 2026

1. What GQZeroLimit Does

GQZeroLimit is a multi-entry execution strategy for NinjaTrader. Once a directional trade setup is identified, GQZeroLimit manages it end-to-end — entries, take-profits, stop-loss, and tiered breakeven rules — as a single coordinated position, with configurable controls at every stage.

What's in this guide, and what the defaults do

This guide documents every field on the GQZeroLimit strategy properties panel, plus the NinjaTrader strategy-level parameters (Section 4) and the risk architecture and account-size guidance (Section 5). If you're here to size positions to your account or to understand the maximum loss per trade, jump straight to Section 5.

If the strategy is loaded with the default settings shipped in this file and run as-is, it operates in Pure GQ Mode (no GFPB market entries). Three GQ limit positions are armed (Pos 1, Pos 2, Pos 3 = 1 contract each; Pos 4 = 0), so a maximum of 3 contracts can fill on a single signal. The TP ladder targets 90 / 50 / 50 points from the position-average entry, exiting one contract at each level.

On MNQ ($2 / point), under default settings:

• Estimated full-target profit (all three TPs hit): ≈ $380 (90 + 50 + 50 pts × 1 contract × $2).
• Estimated maximum loss (all three positions filled, shared SL hit, no BE active): ≈ $750 (3 contracts × 125 pt SL × $2).
• Estimated loss once BE1 has fired at the –75 offset (3 positions filled): ≈ $450.

On NQ ($20 / point), multiply the figures above by 10. Detailed risk math and recommended account-size to position-count mappings are in Section 5 (Risk Architecture).

CRITICAL: Do not run GQZeroLimit alongside GFPB 2.1C on the same trading account. Both products contain an active GFPB entry layer; running them together produces doubled exposure on the same signal.

2. How the Layout Is Organized

In NinjaTrader's strategy properties panel, GQZeroLimit groups its settings into the sections listed below. The numeric prefix on each section name is what the panel displays.

• 0. Shared SL (GFPB & GQLimit) — the single shared stop-loss for the trade.
• 1. GFPB | Main Entries — settings for the optional GFPB market-order entries (used in Hybrid Mode).
• 2. GQZeroLimit | Unified Multi-Entry — the core layered-limit entry block, plus its TP and BE logic.
• 2c. Global BreakEven — single-shot BE rule that fires on any GQ TP fill.
• 2d. TP1 Fill Stop Move — single-shot BE rule that fires specifically on a TP1 fill.
• 3. Parameters — direction filters and per-day filters.

NOTE: Two operating modes are supported. Pure GQ Mode sets q1 = q2 = 0 in Section 1, which disables the GFPB market entries; only the GQ limit layer trades. Hybrid Mode raises q1 (and optionally q2) to a positive integer, adding GFPB market-order entries on top of the GQ limit layer.

NOTE: Inside Section 2 the strategy panel uses ----- separator rows (no labels) between the master controls, the position layer, the TP ladder, and the tiered breakeven block. The labelled sub-headers used in this guide (Master controls, Position layer, TP ladder, Tiered breakeven) are documentation labels for those separator regions and are not displayed in NinjaTrader. The only labelled sub-section that appears inside Section 2 in the panel is 2c. Global BreakEven.

3. Full Properties Panel Reference

The tables below list every field exposed in the strategy properties panel, in the order it appears. Display names match the panel exactly. Values shown are starting recommendations; tune to your account size and risk profile.

Section 0 · Shared SL (GFPB & GQLimit)

This is the single shared stop-loss used by every fill on the trade. All open contracts exit together when this stop is hit.

Section 1 · GFPB | Main Entries

These fields control the optional GFPB market-order entries (q1 / q2) and a separate trailing-stop / breakeven block that applies to those entries only. In Pure GQ Mode, set q1 = q2 = 0 and ignore the trailing and BE rows below — they have no effect when no GFPB entries are firing.

NOTE: Be cautious enabling Enable Trail when running this strategy on multiple accounts simultaneously. Each trail update issues a stop-modification call to NinjaTrader; with several accounts active, the combined call rate can hit NinjaTrader's order-call limit and cause subsequent updates (or new orders) to be rejected. If you must run trail across multiple accounts, prefer BreakEven mode (single move) or Step_Trailing with a generous step, never tick-by-tick Normal_Trailing.

NOTE: The Trailing and BE fields in this section apply to the GFPB main entries only. The GQ limit layer has its own independent BE block in Section 2.

Section 2 · GQZeroLimit | Unified Multi-Entry

This is the core block. It controls the GQ limit-order layer, the TP ladder for those fills, and the tiered breakeven rules. In the NinjaTrader panel, the four groups below are separated by ----- rows (no headings). Only Section 2c · Global BreakEven (further down) appears as a labelled sub-section.

Master controls

Position layer (Pos 1 – Pos 4)

NOTE: In the NinjaTrader panel this group is not labelled "Position layer" — it appears as a ----- separator row only. The heading is used here for documentation.

Each position tier has its own contract count (Qty) and pullback depth (Entry %). A tier with Qty = 0 is disabled. Pos 4 is off by default; activate it only if a fourth pullback layer is desired.

NOTE about Pos Entry %: The Entry % is a fixed regressive percentage measured from the entry reference point (the swing point used by the Fib / pullback engine), not a Fibonacci ratio — e.g., Pos 2 Entry % = 20 means Pos 2 is placed 20% deeper into the pullback than Pos 1, irrespective of any standard Fib level. The default values are Pos 1 = 2%, Pos 2 = 20%, Pos 3 = 30%, Pos 4 = 0% (disabled). Increasing a tier's Entry % moves that limit deeper into the pullback (lower hit-rate but better average price when filled); decreasing it moves the limit closer to the signal (higher hit-rate, less DCA benefit).

NOTE: The total number of contracts that can fill is the sum of Pos 1–4 Qty. The total of TP1 Qty + TP2 Qty + TP3 Qty must equal the maximum filled-contract count, otherwise residual contracts will not have a TP assigned.

TP ladder (TP1 – TP3)

NOTE: In the NinjaTrader panel this group is not labelled "TP ladder" — it appears as a ----- separator row only. The heading is used here for documentation. Note also that the only labelled sub-section inside Section 2 in the panel is Section 2c · Global BreakEven (below).

Take-profit distances are measured in points from the position-average price. Each TP exits the number of contracts specified by its Qty field.

Tiered breakeven (BE1 – BE3)

NOTE: In the NinjaTrader panel this group is not labelled "Tiered breakeven" — it appears as a ----- separator row only. The heading is used here for documentation.

As price moves favorably, the shared stop can be moved in stages. Each tier has a trigger distance (how far price must move before that tier fires) and an offset (where the stop is moved to). Tiers fire in sequence; once a higher tier fires, lower tiers are ignored, and the stop only moves to more favorable positions.

NOTE: Offsets are signed. A negative BE1 offset (for example, –75) keeps the stop in loss territory but reduces the maximum loss; positive offsets move the stop into profit (free-trade territory). Setting a tier's Trigger to 0 effectively keeps that tier inactive.

Section 2c · Global BreakEven

A single-shot BE rule that fires on any GQ TP fill (TP1, TP2, or TP3). If enabled, this overrides nothing — it works alongside the tiered BE in the Tiered breakeven sub-section above and the TP1-fill rule in Section 2d below.

Section 2d · TP1 Fill Stop Move

A single-shot BE rule that fires specifically when the first TP1 contract fills. Useful if you want a different stop-move behavior on the TP1 event versus the more general Global BE.

Section 3 · Parameters (Direction & Day Filters)

Top-level direction toggles and per-day filters. Each weekday has a master toggle plus separate buy and sell sub-toggles. To trade longs only on Mondays: set Monday = ON, Enabled buy Monday = ON, Enabled sell Monday = OFF.

NOTE: The weekday master toggle (Monday, Tuesday, etc.) is the deciding switch for that day. If the weekday master toggle is OFF, the strategy will not fire on that day regardless of the buy / sell sub-toggles — turning Enabled buy Monday or Enabled sell Monday ON has no effect when Monday itself is OFF. Always confirm the weekday master is ON before relying on the buy / sell sub-toggles for that day.

4. NinjaTrader Strategy Parameters

These are the standard NinjaTrader strategy-level parameters at the bottom of the properties panel (outside of the GQZeroLimit-specific sections). They must be set as shown for the strategy to behave correctly.

5. Risk Architecture

This section quantifies the risk envelope of the strategy under default settings, and gives suggested account-size to position-count mappings. Use it to size positions to your account's daily loss limit (DLL) before going live.

Maximum loss per trade

Suggested account-size to position-count mapping

NOTE: Figures above are for MNQ ($2 / point). For NQ, multiply by 10. The right number of GQ positions for any account is the number whose maximum loss is comfortably absorbed by the account's daily loss limit (DLL); 3× headroom is a reasonable target.

6. Recommended Starting Configurations

Two reference configurations are provided as starting points. Both run Pure GQ Mode (Section 1: q1 = q2 = 0).

Configuration A

• Pos 1 / Pos 2 / Pos 3 entry %: 2 / 30 / 30
• Cancel After N Candles: 3
• TP1 / TP2 / TP3 Points: 90 / 50 / 50
• BE1 Trigger / Offset: 34 / -75
• BE2 Trigger / Offset: 49 / +5
• Filters: Long + Short, all weekdays enabled

Configuration B

• Pos 1 / Pos 2 / Pos 3 entry %: 2 / 20 / 30
• Cancel After N Candles: 6
• TP1 / TP2 / TP3 Points: 90 / 50 / 50
• BE1 Trigger / Offset: 34 / -75
• BE2 Trigger / Offset: 49 / +5
• Filters: Long + Short, all weekdays enabled

NOTE: These values are reasonable starting points and remain subject to ongoing tuning. Adjust gradually, and validate any change in simulation before deploying to a live account.

7. Quick Field Index

If you only need to find a setting fast, here is the panel order top-to-bottom:

• Section 0: Ratio · Enable Limit SL · Limit Points · Enable Stop Move FailSafe
• Section 1: q1 · TP1 (points) · q2 · TP2 (points) · Enable Trail · Trailing Mode · Trail Mode · Trail Start · Trail Distance · Trailing Step · BE Mode · BE Trigger · BE Offset
• Section 2: Enable GQ Entries · Cancel After N Candles · Lock Fib/Pullback At Entry · Skip GQ Entries Within N Pts of SL · Enable Cancel GQ At Virtual GFPB TP · GFPB Virtual TP Level · Pos 1–4 Qty / Entry % · TP1–3 Qty / Points · Enable GQ BE · BE1–3 Trigger / Offset
• Section 2c: Enable Global BE · Global BE Offset
• Section 2d: Move Stop After Any TP1 Fill · TP1 Stop Offset
• Section 3: Long · Short · Monday–Friday (each with its own buy / sell sub-toggle)

For any question about specific settings, sizing, or behavior under different market conditions, open a support ticket and a team member will help.