Printable Checklists for Systematic Trade Execution
Purpose: Step-by-step checklists to eliminate emotional decisions and enforce discipline. Print and use daily.
Pre-Trade Checklist (Before Entering Any Position)
Market Assessment (Required First)
Market trend identified: SPY is in uptrend / downtrend / range (circle one)
VIX level checked: VIX is ____ (write number)
<20 = Normal (trade normally)
20-30 = Elevated (reduce size)
30+ = High fear (trade cautiously or skip)
News calendar reviewed: No major events today (Fed, earnings, GDP) that could disrupt trade
Sector rotation noted: Leading sector today is _________
If VIX >30 or major news pending: Consider skipping trading today
Stock Selection (AI App)
AI Score e85 (bull market) OR e90 (bear market)
Stock: ________ | Score: ____
Top 20 ranking confirmed: Stock ranked #____ on AI App
Score stable or rising: Not dropping (check 1-hour trend)
Sector diversification: Not over-concentrated (max 40% in one sector across portfolio)
If score <85 in bull or <90 in bear: Skip this stock
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Minimum 3 confirmations required (check all that apply):
Structure Indicators (Check 1+):
Chart Pattern & Market Structure: Bullish pattern detected (which: ____________)
Buy Sell Signals V2: Green Supertrend + Buy arrow + In demand zone
Trend Following: Strong buy signal (not weak)
Momentum Indicators (Check 1+):
Smart MACD: Bullish (MACD > Signal, or bullish divergence)
Price Momentum Reversal: Bullish reversal signal (OBOS <-30)
Price Reversal Probability: e70% reversal probability (HIGH CONF)
Timing (Check 1+):
Price at structural level: In demand zone or at support
Volume confirmation: Above average volume (>1.5x)
Multi-timeframe aligned: Daily + 4H + 1H all bullish (for swing trades)
Total confirmations: ____ / 3+ required
If <3 confirmations: Skip trade, wait for better setup
Risk Management (Required)
Entry price determined: $______
Stop loss identified: $______ (must be below demand zone / structural support)
Stop loss distance calculated: $_____ per share
Target price set: $______ (minimum 2:1 R:R for swings, 1.5:1 for day trades)
Risk/Reward ratio calculated: ____:1 (must be e2:1 for swings, e1.5:1 for day trades)
Position size calculated:
Account size: $______
Risk per trade: ___% (standard 2%, reduce to 1% for reversals or bear market)
Risk amount: $_____
Shares: _____ shares = (Risk Amount / Stop Distance)
Position size d10% of account: $_____ position / $_____ account = ___%
Total portfolio risk d15%: Current risk ___% + this trade ___% = ___% total
If R:R <2:1 (swing) or <1.5:1 (day trade): Skip trade, find better setup
If total portfolio risk >15%: Exit weakest position first before entering new trade
Final Go/No-Go Decision
ALL must be checked to enter trade:
Market conditions favorable (not too choppy, VIX reasonable)
AI Score e85 (or e90 in bear market)
3+ indicator confirmations
Risk/reward e2:1 (swings) or e1.5:1 (day trades)
Position sizing calculated correctly
Total portfolio risk <15%
No emotional attachment to stock ("I like this company" is NOT a reason to trade)
Following my system (not improvising or FOMO)
If even ONE is unchecked: Do NOT enter trade. Wait for next opportunity.
Signature: ______________ | Date/Time: ____________
Trade Execution Checklist (Entering Position)
Order Entry
Verified entry price in demand zone: Current price $____ is at or near support
Order type selected: Market / Limit at $_____ (circle one)
Quantity double-checked: _____ shares (matches pre-trade calculation)
Order placed: Confirmed execution at $_____
Immediate Post-Entry (Within 1 Minute)
Stop loss order placed: GTC Stop at $_____ (Good-Til-Canceled)
Target order placed (optional): Limit order at $_____ or alert set
Trade logged in journal:
Stock: ______
Entry: $______
Stop: $______
Target: $______
AI Score: ____
Indicators used: _______________
R:R: ____:1
Position size: _____ shares ($______ value)
Alerts and Monitoring Setup
Price alert at stop: Will notify if approaching stop
Price alert at target: Will notify when target reached
AI Score alert: Alert if score drops below 80
Calendar noted: Holding period expected ____ days (for swing trades)
Never skip stop loss order placement: This is your risk protection
During-Trade Monitoring Checklist
Daily Position Review (Once Per Day for Swing Trades)
For each open position, check ALL:
Position: ________ | Entry: $______ | Current: $______ | P/L: ____%
AI Score checked: Current score is ____
e80: Hold (still strong)
75-79: Warning (tighten stop to breakeven)
70-74: Concern (consider exiting)
<70: Exit immediately (thesis broken) L
Indicator status reviewed:
Supertrend still green? Y / N
Smart MACD still bullish? Y / N
Any reversal signals? Y / N
If ANY indicator flipped bearish: Tighten stop or exit
Price action status:
Still respecting support/demand zone? Y / N
Broke below entry? Y / N (if yes, stop should have triggered)
At or near target? Y / N (if yes, take profits)
Stop loss management:
Current stop: $______
Should stop be trailed up? Y / N (if profitable and trend strong)
New stop if trailed: $______ (only move stop UP, never DOWN)
Days held: ____ days (if >10 days for swing, consider time stop)
Actions required (if any checked above):
Tighten stop to breakeven
Trail stop higher (new stop: $______)
Take partial profits (exit 50% at target)
Exit entire position (thesis broken)
Intraday Monitoring (For Day Trades, Check Every 1-2 Hours)
Position: ________ | Entry: $______ | Current: $______ | Time: ______
Price still in expected range (not erratic or halted)
Volume still healthy (not drying up)
AI Score still e85 (check at 12 PM and 3 PM)
No breaking news on stock (check news feed)
Approaching target? If within 10% of target, consider partial exit
Approaching stop? If within 5% of stop, exit now (don't wait for exact stop)
Day trading time stops:
3:00 PM check: If position still open and not near target, consider exiting
3:45 PM rule: MUST close all day trade positions by 3:45 PM (no overnight holds)
Post-Trade Review Checklist (After Position Closed)
Trade Outcome Documentation
Trade #____ | Date closed: __________
Final details logged:
Stock: ______
Entry: $______
Exit: $______
Exit reason: Target / Stop / Indicator reversal / Time stop / Other: ______
Holding period: ____ days
P/L: $______ (____%)
AI Score at entry: ____ | at exit: ____
Win or Loss: W / L (circle one)
Trade Performance Analysis
Did I follow my system? Y / N
If NO, what rule did I break? _____________________________
Was entry justified? Y / N
Had 3+ confirmations? Y / N
AI Score e85? Y / N
R:R e2:1? Y / N
Was risk management followed? Y / N
Stop placed immediately? Y / N
Position size correct? Y / N
Never moved stop wider? Y / N
What went well?
_____________________________________________________
What to improve?
_____________________________________________________
Mistake identified? Y / N
If YES, describe: ______________________________________
Corrective action: ______________________________________
Emotional State Reflection
How did I feel during this trade? (Check all that apply)
Calm and systematic (good)
Nervous or fearful (examine why)
Excited or overconfident (red flag for next trade)
Frustrated or angry (never trade in this state)
Regretful (either FOMO or "should have held")
If emotional: What triggered it? ________________________________
If this was a revenge trade (after loss):
YES - This was emotional, not systematic L
NO - This was planned, followed system
Lesson learned: ___________________________________________
Weekly Performance Review Checklist
Week of: ___________ to ___________
Trading Statistics
Total trades this week: ____
Winning trades: ____ | Losing trades: ____
Win rate: ____% (Wins / Total Trades × 100)
Target: 60-70%
If <55%: Review what went wrong
Total P/L: $______ (____%)
Average winner: $______ (____%)
Average loser: $______ (____%)
Average R:R: ____:1 (Avg Win / Avg Loss)
Target: 2:1+ for swings
If <1.5:1: Holding losers too long or cutting winners too early
Largest winner: $______ on ______ (stock)
Largest loser: $______ on ______ (stock)
System Adherence
Trades following system: ____ / ____ (____%)
Target: 95%+
If <90%: Discipline problem, address immediately
Pre-trade checklist completed: ____ / ____ times
Stop losses honored: ____ / ____ times
Target: 100%
If <100%: Major discipline issue L
Risk management followed: ____ / ____ times (proper position sizing, <2% risk)
Mistakes and Lessons
Top 3 mistakes this week:
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Corrective actions for next week:
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Goals for Next Week
Win rate target: ____% (maintain or improve)
R:R target: ____:1 (maintain or improve)
Number of trades target: ____-____ (quality > quantity)
System adherence target: 95%+
Specific improvement focus: ______________________________
Monthly Performance Review Checklist
Month of: ________________
30-Day Statistics
Total trades this month: ____
Win rate: ____%
Excellent: 65-70%+
Good: 60-65%
Needs improvement: <60%
Average R:R: ____:1
Excellent: 2.5:1+
Good: 2:1+
Needs improvement: <1.5:1
Total P/L: $______ (____% of account)
Expectancy: $_____ per trade
Formula: (Win Rate × Avg Win) - (Loss Rate × Avg Loss)
Positive expectancy = Profitable system
Negative expectancy = System broken, major review needed L
Sharpe Ratio (if tracked): ____
1.5 = Excellent
1.0-1.5 = Good
<1.0 = Too much volatility
System Performance
System adherence: ____% (trades following all rules)
Target: 95%+
Most profitable setup: ________________________
Focus more on this next month
Least profitable setup: ________________________
Stop trading this or refine approach
Indicator combination working best: __________________
Market Condition Analysis
Market regime this month: Bull / Bear / Choppy (circle one)
Did I adapt my strategy? Y / N
Average AI Score traded: ____
If <85: Raise standards
Quarterly Goals (Every 3 Months)
Is my system profitable over 3 months? Y / N
If NO: Major system review required L
Am I consistently following my system? Y / N (95%+ adherence)
Are my mistakes decreasing? Y / N
Am I improving emotionally (less stress)? Y / N
Ready to increase position sizes? Y / N (only if 3+ months profitable + consistent)
Next quarter goals:
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Printing and Usage Instructions
How to Use These Checklists
Daily Trading (Monday-Friday):
Pre-Market: Print and complete Pre-Trade Checklist for each potential trade
Execution: Use Trade Execution Checklist when entering position
During Day: Use During-Trade Monitoring Checklist (1x for swings, 3x for day trades)
Post-Close: Complete Post-Trade Review for any closed positions
Weekly (Sunday evening or Friday after close):
Complete Weekly Performance Review
Identify top 3 mistakes
Set goals for next week
Monthly (First Sunday of new month):
Complete Monthly Performance Review
Review 3-month progress if end of quarter
Adjust system if needed (only after 100+ trades)
Printing Tips
Print multiple copies: Keep 20-30 blank Pre-Trade Checklists in folder
Use clipboard: Physical checklist ensures you don't skip steps
Highlight sections: Use different colors for different checklist sections
Archive completed: Store in binder for future reference and pattern analysis
Digital Alternative
PDF form: Fill out on tablet or second screen during trading
Spreadsheet version: Create Google Sheets version with automatic calculations
Trading journal app: Edgewonk, TraderSync pre-built checklist features
Emergency Checklist (When Things Go Wrong)
If You're Losing Money (Down >5% in a Week)
STOP TRADING immediately and complete this:
Review all losing trades: What went wrong? (list patterns)
Check system adherence: Was I following my rules? (be honest)
Check market conditions: Was it choppy/bear market I shouldn't have traded?
Emotional state: Am I revenge trading or tilting?
Take break: Minimum 48 hours away from screens
Reduce size: Next trades at 50% normal position size until 5 consecutive winners
Seek feedback: Post charts in community or discuss with mentor
If You're Tempted to Break Rules
PAUSE. Read this before doing anything:
Is this an emotional decision? (revenge, FOMO, excitement)
If I follow the rule I'm about to break, what happens? (probably prevents loss)
If I break this rule and it works, will I break it again? (yes, then eventually fails big)
Can I live with consequence if I'm wrong? (broke rule = no stop = big loss)
What would I tell a friend to do in this situation? (follow the rule)
Decision: I will follow my rule because ____________________________
Remember: The checklist is your guardrail. When emotions high, discipline lowthat's exactly when you need the checklist most. Print it. Use it. Follow it. Your profitability depends on systematic execution, not sporadic brilliance.