Getting Started with Forex Vitals

This page will walk you through how to start using Forex Vitals and the Market Dashboard in a safe, structured way. The goal is simple: help you understand what the market is doing so you can make better decisions using your own strategy.

Remember: the Dashboard is designed to be a confirmation tool to help you trade smarter, not a magic button.

1. Before You Start

Forex Vitals works best when you already have (or are learning) a basic trading method. Before relying on the Dashboard, you should:

• Have a broker account and charting platform you understand.
• Know which pairs you like to trade (e.g., EURUSD, GBPJPY).
• Have a simple set of rules for when to enter and exit.
• Understand that you shouldn't risk more money than you can afford to lose.

If you need help calculating your trade size, use the free Position Size Calculator on this site.

2. Your First 5 Minutes

Here's a simple way to get value from Forex Vitals immediately:

1. Open the Dashboard.
   Look at the main screen. Which pairs are green (Buying) and which are red (Selling)?
2. Filter by your watchlist.
   Don't get overwhelmed. Star (★) the pairs you actually trade so you only see what matters.
3. Check the weather.
   Ask: “Is the market moving fast or is it quiet?” The Market Vol meter at the top will tell you.
4. Go back to your charts.
   Use your own strategy to look for setups. If you find a potential trade, then come back to the Dashboard to see if the signals agree with you.
5. Size the trade.
   Once you have a valid setup and confirmation, use the Position Size Calculator to ensure you are trading the safe amount.

3. Combining Tools with Strategy

The Dashboard should never be the only reason you enter a trade. Instead, use it to answer:

• “Does the market agree with what I'm seeing on the chart?”
• “Is the US Dollar actually strong right now, or is it just noise?”

A simple way to think about it:

• Your strategy → generates the Trade Idea.
• The Dashboard → confirms the Market Conditions.

If your chart says "Buy" but the Dashboard says "Strong Sell," that is a warning sign. You might want to skip that trade.

4. Example Workflows

A. Trend Trading

• Use your charts to find a trend (e.g., price making higher highs).
• Check the Dashboard to see if that pair has a BUY or STRONG BUY signal.
• If the Dashboard agrees, you have extra confidence to take the trade.

B. Range Trading

• Identify a pair that is stuck going sideways between two prices.
• Check the Dashboard. You ideally want to see a NEUTRAL signal or a Low Volatility warning.
• If the Dashboard shows "EXTREME BUY," be careful—the range might be about to break!

C. avoiding Bad Trades

• Use the Dashboard as a "Sanity Check."
• Before you click buy, glance at the Dashboard. Is there a big red warning badge for "High Impact News"?
• If so, wait 15 minutes. You might save yourself from a losing trade.

5. A Simple Daily Routine

Here's a routine you can use every morning:

1. Coffee & Dashboard: Check the Dashboard to get a "Weather Report" for the market. Is the Dollar strong? Is the Yen weak?
2. Mark your charts: Go to your trading platform and draw your lines on the pairs that look interesting.
3. Check Seasonality: Briefly check the Monthly Trends page. Is this usually a good month for your pair?
4. Wait for your setup: Don't force it. Let the price come to your levels.
5. Execute: When your setup hits, calculate your position size and place the trade.

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Treating it like a Magic 8-Ball.
  Don't just click buy because you see a green light. Always look at the chart first.
• Ignoring the "Why".
  Click the score box to open the analysis details. Understand why the score is high (e.g., is it just news, or is it a real trend?).
• Chasing every signal.
  You don't need to trade everything. Stick to the pairs you know.
• Betting too big.
  Even the best-looking setup can fail. Never risk more than you planned just because the signal looks "perfect."

7. Where to Go Next

Once you're comfortable with the basics, explore the other tools:

• Market Hours - See when the London and New York sessions overlap.
• Pair Correlation - Make sure you aren't taking two identical trades.
• FAQ - Quick answers to common questions about the tools.
• Risk Disclosure - Important information about trading safety.
• Contact - Send us feedback or feature requests.

Use Forex Vitals to simplify your trading day, stay consistent, and keep your risk under control.