Trade JournalTrade Planning
How to Write a Trade Plan (Journal Questions)
A trade plan turns a chart idea into executable rules. These questions walk you through setup definition, risk, targets, and invalidation so you enter with clarity instead of improvisation. VaultCharts trade plans let you save and reuse this structure — use these prompts to fill them consistently.
📈 Why Track Trade Planning in Your Trading Journal?
- ✓Separate planning from execution under pressure
- ✓Define invalidation before entry, not after a loss
- ✓Compare planned vs actual outcomes in your journal
- ✓Build repeatable playbooks for stocks and crypto
- ✓Reduce impulse trades with a written checklist
1
Setup Definition
Describe what you are trading and why
1What is the setup name and market context (trend, range, event)?
2Which timeframes am I using for bias vs entry?
3What confluence supports this trade (structure, indicator, volume)?
4Is this an A, B, or C quality setup and why?
2
Entry & Invalidation
Define trigger and when the idea is wrong
1What exact price or candle condition triggers entry?
2Where is my stop and what structure does it protect?
3What would invalidate the thesis before entry?
4Am I entering with a limit, stop, or market order?
3
Risk & Targets
Size the trade and plan exits
1What is my risk in dollars and as a percentage of account?
2What is my planned R-multiple to first target?
3Where are partial exits and final target?
4What is my max hold time if price stalls?
4
Post-Plan Review
Validate the plan before sending the order
1Did I answer every field in my trade plan template?
2Am I trading this because of FOMO or a valid signal?
3Is position size appropriate for setup grade?
4Can I walk away after placing orders?
💡 Tips for Better Trade Planning Journaling
→Write the plan before the session, not mid-candle
→Screenshot the chart and attach it to your VaultCharts trade plan
→Use the same template for stocks and crypto to compare results
→If you cannot articulate invalidation, skip the trade
→Review plans weekly: which fields predict winners?
📋 Ready-to-Use Trade Planning Journal Template
## Trade Plan **Date:** ___________ **Symbol / Market:** ___________ **Setup:** ___________ **Quality:** A / B / C ### Context - HTF bias: ___________ - LTF trigger: ___________ - Confluence: ___________ ### Execution - Entry: ___________ - Stop: ___________ - Target 1: ___________ (___R) - Target 2: ___________ (___R) - Risk: $_____ (___%) ### Invalidation - Thesis wrong if: ___________ ### Pre-Trade Check - [ ] Plan complete - [ ] Risk within limits - [ ] No major news conflict
Copy this template into your trading journal or note-taking app. Customize it to fit your trading style.
📓 Built-In Trade Journal in VaultCharts
VaultCharts includes a powerful trade journaling feature with customizable templates including trade planning tracking. Attach notes directly to your charts and track your progress over time.
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Pre-Trade Notes
Document your thesis
📊
Linked to Charts
Notes attached to positions
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100% Private
All data stays local