Zigzag Sequence DetectorOVERVIEW
This indicator is a dynamic pattern recognition tool built strictly on market structure mechanics. It detects custom sequences of Zigzag-based pivot points in real-time. It was developed to automate the tedious process of visually tracking structural shifts and to provide a programmatic foundation for sequence-based trading. It falls into the category of Price Action and Market Structure analysis.
MAIN CONCEPT
If we consider the market as a massive text, this script can be seen as a 'scanning tool' that finds the exact sentence we are looking for it. You write a sentence consisting of the words 'HH, HL, LL, and LH', and this indicator highlights exactly where that sequence occurs in the text.
ZIGZAG & PIVOTS
The core of this tool relies on the ZigZag algorithm, which filters out market noise by only drawing lines when the price reverses by a defined threshold. It reveals the skeletal framework of price action. At the peaks and troughs of these lines lie the pivot points: Higher High (HH), Lower Low (LL), Higher Low (HL), and Lower High (LH). In trading literature, these pivots are the fundamental building blocks of Dow Theory. Tracking these points provides a raw, unfiltered narrative of whether buyers or sellers are in control.
There are many ZigZag alternatives on TradingView that can produce effective results. However, the open-source model developed by @DevLucem provides, in my opinion, the most suitable structure to work on. The original version was based on percentage deviation; I made a minor addition for Mintick-based calculation and update it to version 6 of Pine Script. Special thanks to for his inspiring work.
MECHANICS
• The internal logic uses `chart.point` objects to cleanly track price and time coordinates. As the direction shifts, these objects are copied to maintain independent references.
• `f_calc_dev()`: Dynamically calculates the deviation threshold based on the user's selection (Mintick or Percent).
• `f_parse_sequence()`: Takes the raw string input, strips whitespaces, and splits it into a clean array for processing.
• `f_check_sequence()`: Isolates the most recent elements of the historical pivot array and evaluates them against the user's target sequence array element by element.
• The `trade_direction` state machine uses a unique integer-based accumulation system rather than a simple binary (1 or -1) toggle. It increments (+1, +2) for consecutive Long signals and decrements (-1, -2) for consecutive Shorts. This makes the script highly adaptable for developers building pyramiding strategies or dynamic position sizing models.
HOW TO USE
• Load the indicator on your chart and set your noise-filtering parameters via `Depth`, `Deviation Mode`, `Deviation Value`, and `Backstep`.
• In the settings, input your desired market structures for Entries and Exits using comma-separated values (e.g., "HH,HL,LH").
• You can define Long Entry, Long Exit, Short Entry and Short Exit conditions independently.
• You can also toggle the visual outputs on or off and set the colors in the indicator settings.
THE ALTERNATING PIVOT RULE (Important Note on Sequence Building)
• By the inherent geometric laws of the ZigZag algorithm, market structure must strictly alternate between a peak (High) and a trough (Low). It is structurally impossible for two consecutive peaks or two consecutive troughs to form. Therefore, when building your custom patterns, a High-type pivot must always be followed by a Low-type pivot, and vice versa.
• Invalid Sequences: "HH, HH", "HH, LH", "LH, HH", "LH, LH", "LL, LL", "LL, HL", "HL, LL", "HL, HL". (The engine will accept these inputs, but the condition will never occur on the chart, meaning no signals will ever trigger.)
• Always ensure your custom text sequences obey this strict alternating logic before expecting valid signals.
OUTPUTS
• The script plots ZigZag lines and annotates each confirmed pivot directly on the chart.
• Upon detecting a target sequence, it displays Entry or Exit signals on the triggering bar.
• It continuously feeds raw data (such as the exact `trade_direction` integer and active signal states) into the Data Window for quantitative tracking.
• It allows for setting automated Tradingview alerts based entry and exit signals.
DISCLAIMER
• The default signal sequences are provided for demonstration purposes only; it is the user's responsibility to define meaningful patterns.
• This indicator is not a standalone trading strategy or a predictive tool.
• It mathematically identifies what has already happened based on rigid pivot definitions.
• If the `Last Leg (Repaint)` option is enabled, it evaluates the developing market structure in real-time. This means signals on the current bar can appear and vanish if the price reverses before the pivot is locked in.
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