# Technical Indicators
Technical indicators transform OHLCV data into signals for trend, momentum, volatility, and volume analysis.
**Related:**
- [CLI.md](CLI.md) — How to run commands
- [DENOISING.md](DENOISING.md) — Smoothing indicator outputs
- [FORECAST.md](FORECAST.md) — Using indicators as forecast features
- [GLOSSARY.md](GLOSSARY.md) — Term definitions
---
## Quick Start
**List available indicators:**
```bash
python cli.py indicators_list --limit 20
```
**Filter by category:**
```bash
python cli.py indicators_list --category momentum
python cli.py indicators_list --category trend
python cli.py indicators_list --category volatility
```
**Get indicator details:**
```bash
python cli.py indicators_describe rsi --format json
python cli.py indicators_describe macd --format json
```
---
## Using Indicators
### With Candle Data
Add indicators directly when fetching candles:
```bash
python cli.py data_fetch_candles EURUSD --timeframe H1 --limit 200 \
--indicators "ema(20),ema(50),rsi(14),macd(12,26,9)"
```
**Syntax:**
- `indicator_name(param1,param2,...)` — With parameters
- `indicator_name` — Uses defaults
- Comma-separated list for multiple indicators
### Output Columns
Indicators add new columns to the output:
```
time,open,high,low,close,volume,EMA_20,EMA_50,RSI_14,MACD_12_26_9,MACDh_12_26_9,MACDs_12_26_9
```
Column naming convention: `INDICATOR_PARAM1_PARAM2`
---
## Indicator Categories
### Trend / Overlap
Show direction and dynamic support/resistance levels.
| Indicator | Description | Example |
|-----------|-------------|---------|
| `ema` | Exponential Moving Average | `ema(20)` |
| `sma` | Simple Moving Average | `sma(50)` |
| `dema` | Double EMA | `dema(20)` |
| `tema` | Triple EMA | `tema(20)` |
| `wma` | Weighted Moving Average | `wma(20)` |
| `kama` | Kaufman Adaptive MA | `kama(10,2,30)` |
| `vwap` | Volume Weighted Avg Price | `vwap` |
| `bbands` | Bollinger Bands | `bbands(20,2)` |
| `kc` | Keltner Channels | `kc(20,2)` |
**Usage example:**
```bash
python cli.py data_fetch_candles EURUSD --timeframe H1 --limit 100 \
--indicators "ema(20),ema(50),bbands(20,2)"
```
**Interpretation:**
- Price above EMA → Bullish bias
- Price between Bollinger Bands → Normal volatility
- Price touches upper/lower band → Potential reversal zone
### Momentum
Measure speed and strength of price changes.
| Indicator | Description | Example |
|-----------|-------------|---------|
| `rsi` | Relative Strength Index | `rsi(14)` |
| `macd` | Moving Average Convergence Divergence | `macd(12,26,9)` |
| `stoch` | Stochastic Oscillator | `stoch(14,3,3)` |
| `cci` | Commodity Channel Index | `cci(20)` |
| `willr` | Williams %R | `willr(14)` |
| `roc` | Rate of Change | `roc(10)` |
| `mom` | Momentum | `mom(10)` |
| `ao` | Awesome Oscillator | `ao` |
**RSI interpretation:**
- RSI > 70: Overbought (potential sell)
- RSI < 30: Oversold (potential buy)
- RSI = 50: Neutral
**MACD interpretation:**
- MACD crosses above Signal: Bullish momentum
- MACD crosses below Signal: Bearish momentum
- Histogram expanding: Momentum strengthening
### Volatility
Measure price movement magnitude.
| Indicator | Description | Example |
|-----------|-------------|---------|
| `atr` | Average True Range | `atr(14)` |
| `natr` | Normalized ATR | `natr(14)` |
| `bbands` | Bollinger Bands width | `bbands(20,2)` |
| `kc` | Keltner Channels | `kc(20,2)` |
| `donchian` | Donchian Channels | `donchian(20)` |
**ATR usage:**
- Set stop-loss: `SL = Entry ± (2 × ATR)`
- Compare volatility across timeframes
- Position sizing: Smaller size when ATR is high
### Volume
Analyze trading activity and participation.
| Indicator | Description | Example |
|-----------|-------------|---------|
| `obv` | On-Balance Volume | `obv` |
| `ad` | Accumulation/Distribution | `ad` |
| `adosc` | Chaikin A/D Oscillator | `adosc` |
| `mfi` | Money Flow Index | `mfi(14)` |
| `vwap` | Volume Weighted Avg Price | `vwap` |
**Note:** Volume indicators are most useful for instruments with reliable volume data (equities, futures). Forex volume is typically indicative only.
---
## Denoising Indicators
Smooth noisy indicator outputs to reduce false signals:
**Smooth RSI after calculation:**
```bash
python cli.py data_fetch_candles EURUSD --timeframe H1 --limit 200 \
--indicators "rsi(14)" \
--denoise ema --denoise-params "columns=RSI_14,when=post_ti,alpha=0.3"
```
**Smooth price before calculating indicators:**
```bash
python cli.py data_fetch_candles EURUSD --timeframe H1 --limit 200 \
--indicators "rsi(14)" \
--denoise ema --denoise-params "columns=close,when=pre_ti,alpha=0.2"
```
See [DENOISING.md](DENOISING.md) for more options.
---
## Common Indicator Combinations
### Trend + Momentum
```bash
--indicators "ema(20),ema(50),rsi(14)"
```
- EMA crossover for trend direction
- RSI for entry timing (buy oversold in uptrend)
### Trend + Volatility
```bash
--indicators "ema(20),bbands(20,2),atr(14)"
```
- EMA for trend
- Bollinger Bands for volatility context
- ATR for stop-loss sizing
### Full Suite
```bash
--indicators "ema(20),ema(50),rsi(14),macd(12,26,9),atr(14)"
```
---
## Quick Reference
| Task | Command |
|------|---------|
| List indicators | `python cli.py indicators_list` |
| Momentum indicators | `python cli.py indicators_list --category momentum` |
| Indicator details | `python cli.py indicators_describe rsi` |
| Fetch with indicators | `python cli.py data_fetch_candles EURUSD --indicators "ema(20),rsi(14)"` |
---
## See Also
- [GLOSSARY.md](GLOSSARY.md) — Term definitions
- [DENOISING.md](DENOISING.md) — Smoothing techniques
- [FORECAST.md](FORECAST.md) — Using indicators in forecasts
