Session Open Range, Breakout & Trap Framework - TrendPredator OB

Session Open Range, Breakout & Trap Framework — TrendPredator Open Box

Stacey Burke’s trading approach combines concepts from George Douglas Taylor, Tony Crabel, Steve Mauro, and Robert Schabacker. His framework focuses on reading price behaviour across daily templates and identifying how markets move through recurring cycles of expansion, contraction, and reversal. While effective, much of this analysis requires real-time interpretation of session-based behaviour, which can be demanding for traders working on lower intraday timeframes.

The TrendPredator indicators formalize parts of this methodology by introducing mechanical rules for multi-timeframe bias tracking and session structure analysis. They aim to present the key elements of the system—bias, breakouts, fakeouts, and range behaviour—in a consistent and objective way that reduces discretionary interpretation.

The Open Box indicator focuses specifically on the opening behaviour of major trading sessions. It builds on principles found in classical Open Range Breakout (ORB) techniques described by Tony Crabel, where a defined time window around the session open forms a structural reference range. Price behaviour relative to this range—breaking out, failing back inside, or expanding—can highlight developing session bias, potential trap formation, and directional conviction.

This indicator applies these concepts throughout the major equity sessions. It automatically maps the session’s initial range (“Open Box”) and tracks how price interacts with it as liquidity and volatility increase. It also incorporates related structural references such as:
* the first-hour high and low of the futures session
* the exact session open level
* an anchored VWAP starting at the session open
* automated expansion levels projected from the Open Box

In combination, these components provide a unified view of early session activity, including breakout attempts, fakeouts, VWAP reactions, and liquidity targeting. The Open Box offers a structured lens for observing how price transitions through the major sessions (Asia → London → New York) and how these behaviours relate to higher-timeframe bias defined in the broader TrendPredator framework.

Core Features

Open Box (Session Structure)
The indicator defines an initial session range beginning at the selected session open. This “Open Box” represents a fixed time window—commonly the first 30 minutes, or any user-defined duration—that serves as a structural reference for analysing early session behaviour.
The range highlights whether price remains inside the box, breaks out, or rejects the boundaries, providing a consistent foundation for interpreting early directional tendencies and recognising breakout, continuation, or fakeout characteristics.

How it works:
* At the session open, the indicator calculates the high and low over the specified time window.
* This range is plotted as the initial structure of the session.
* Price behaviour at the boundaries can illustrate emerging bias or potential trap formation.
* An optional secondary range (e.g., 15-minute high/low) can be enabled to capture early volatility with additional precision.

Inputs / Options:
* Session specifications (Tokyo, London, New York)
* Open Box start and end times (e.g., equity open + first 30 minutes, or any custom length)
* Open Box colour and label settings
* Formatting options for Open Box high and low lines
* Optional secondary range per session (e.g., 15-minute high/low)
* Forward extension of Open Box high/low lines
* Number of historic Open Boxes to display

Session VWAPs
The indicator plots VWAPs for each major trading session—Asia, London, and New York—anchored to their respective session opens. These session-specific VWAPs assist in tracking how value develops through the day and how price interacts with session-based volume distributions.

How it works:
* At each session open, a VWAP is anchored to the open price.
* The VWAP updates throughout the session as new volume and price data arrive.
* Deviations above or below the VWAP may indicate balance, imbalance, or directional control.
* Viewed together, session VWAPs help identify transitions in value across sessions.

Inputs / Options:
* Enable or disable VWAP per session
* Adjustable anchor and end times (optionally to end of day)
* Line styling and label settings
* Number of historic VWAPs to draw

First Hour High/Low Extensions
The indicator marks the high and low formed during the first hour of each session. These reference points often function as early control levels and provide context for assessing whether the session is establishing bias, consolidating, or exhibiting reversal behaviour.

How it works:
* After the session starts, the indicator records the highest and lowest prices during the first hour.
* These levels are plotted and extended across the session.
* They provide a visual reference for observing reactions, targets, or rejection zones.

Inputs / Options:
* Enable or disable for each session
* Line style, colour, and label visibility
* Number of historic sessions displayed

EQO Levels (Equity Open)
The indicator plots the opening price of each configured session. These “Equity Open” levels represent short-term reference points that can attract price early in the session.
Once the level is revisited after the Open Box has formed, it is automatically cut to avoid clutter. If not revisited, the line remains as an untested reference, similar to a naked point of control.

How it works:
* At session open, the open price is recorded.
* The level is plotted as a local reference.
* If price interacts with the level after the Open Box completes, the line is cut.
* Untested EQOs extend forward until interacted with.

Inputs / Options:
* Enable/disable per session
* Line style and label settings
* Optional extension into the next day
* Option for cutting vs. hiding on revisit
* Number of historic sessions displayed

OB Range Expansions (Automatic)
Range expansions are calculated from the height of the Open Box. These levels provide structured reference zones for identifying potential continuation or exhaustion areas within a session.

How it works:
* After the Open Box is formed, multiples of the range (e.g., 1×, 2×, 3×) are projected.
* These expansion levels are plotted above and below the range.
* Price reactions near these areas can illustrate continuation, hesitation, or potential reversal.

Inputs / Options:
* Enable or disable per session
* Select number of multiples
* Line style, colour, and label settings
* Extension length into the session

Stacey Burke 12-Candle Window Marker
The indicator can highlight the 12-candle window often referenced in Stacey Burke’s session methodology. This window represents the key active period of each session where breakout attempts, volatility shifts, and reversal signatures often occur.

How it works:
* A configurable window (default 12 candles) is highlighted from each session open.
* This window acts as a guide for observing active session behaviour.
* It remains visible throughout the session for structural context.

Inputs / Options:
* Enable/disable per session
* Configurable window duration (default: 3 hours)
* Colour and transparency controls

Concept and Integration
The Open Box is built around the same multi-timeframe logic that underpins the broader TrendPredator framework.
While higher-timeframe tools track bias and setups across the H8–D–W–M levels, the Open Box focuses on the H1–M30 domain to define session structure and observe how early intraday behaviour aligns with higher-timeframe conditions.
The indicator integrates with the TrendPredator FO (Breakout, Fakeout & Trend Switch Detector), which highlights microstructure signals on lower timeframes (M15/M5). Together they form a layered workflow:
* Higher timeframes: context, bias, and developing setups
* TrendPredator OB: intraday and intra-session structure
* TrendPredator FO: microstructure confirmation (e.g., FOL/FOH, switches)
This alignment provides a structured way to observe how daily directional context interacts with intraday behaviour.

See the public open source indicator TP FO here (click on it for access):

Practical Application

Before Session Open
* Review previous session Open Box, Open level, and VWAPs
* Assess how higher-timeframe bias aligns with potential intraday continuation or reversal
* Note untested EQO levels or VWAPs that may function as liquidity attractors

During Session Open
* Observe behaviour around the first-hour high/low and higher-timeframe reference levels
* Monitor how the M15 and 30-minute ranges close
* Track reactions relative to the session open level and the session VWAP

After the Open Box completes
* Assess price interaction with Open Box boundaries and first-hour levels
* Use microstructure signals (e.g., FOH/FOL, switches) for potential confirmation
* Refer to expansion levels as reference zones for management or target setting

After Session
* Review how price behaved relative to the Open Box, EQO levels, VWAPs, and expansion zones
* Analyse breakout attempts, fakeouts, and whether intraday structure aligned with the broader daily move

Example Workflow and Trade

1. Higher-timeframe analysis signals a Daily Fakeout Low Continuation (bullish context).
2. The New York session forms an Open Box; price breaks above and holds above the first-hour high.
3. A Fakeout Low + Switch Bar appears on M5 (via FO), after retesting the session VWAP triggering the entry.
4. 1x expansion level serves as reference targets for take profit.

Relation to the TrendPredator Ecosystem
The Open Box is part of the TrendPredator Indicator Family, designed to apply multi-timeframe logic consistently across:
* higher-timeframe context and setups
* intraday and session structure (OB)
* microstructure confirmation (FO)
Together, these modules offer a unified structure for analysing how daily and intraday cycles interact.

Disclaimer
This indicator is for educational purposes only and does not guarantee profits.
It does not provide buy or sell signals but highlights structural and behavioural areas for analysis.
Users are solely responsible for their trading decisions and outcomes.