Use these playbooks when you need a quick mental model for what the strategy list is surfacing. Each entry explains the core logic, how it is usually configured inside QuantRelay, and links both to the indicator reference docs and to a pre-filtered view of the live strategies index.
How to use this page
Start with the explanation to decide if the idea fits your market regime (trend, range, breakout).
Review the QuantRelay setup block so your first_band / second_band selections match engine semantics.
Open the Strategy Index link to jump straight into live configurations that already implement the concept.
1. EMA vs SMA Trend Following
TrendCrypto majors1h · 4h
Core idea: Pair a responsive Exponential Moving Average against a slower Simple Moving Average to capture sustained directional moves. The trade flips long when price strength pulls the EMA above the SMA, and short when momentum fades.
When it shines: Clean trending conditions with strong volume support. Use wider lengths (e.g., EMA 21 vs SMA 55) as the interval increases to filter noise.
Watch-outs: Whipsaws around chop-heavy consolidations. Require confirmation from higher-timeframe structure or volume spikes before sizing aggressively.
QuantRelay setup:first_band = ema (length 21–34), second_band = sma (length 55–89). Keep offset = 0.
Core idea: Use a session-anchored Volume Weighted Average Price as the fair-value magnet while a short EMA or HMA tracks immediate momentum. Trades fade stretched moves back toward VWAP or go with strength after a decisive reclaim.
When it shines: High-liquidity pairs that cycle around a daily equilibrium, especially during sideways sessions with predictable order flow.
Watch-outs: Strong trend days where price never revisits VWAP. Avoid counter-trend entries during large news-driven impulses.
QuantRelay setup:first_band = ema or hma (length 13–21). second_band = vwap (daily anchor). Keep offset = 0.
Core idea: Track a Bollinger upper/lower envelope against its middle band to detect volatility contractions followed by explosive releases. Entries typically occur when a fast baseline exits the squeeze and closes outside the band.
When it shines: Assets primed for large range expansions after prolonged compression. Combine with volume or funding data to filter for genuine breakouts.
Watch-outs: Fakeouts during low-liquidity periods. Avoid chasing the first candle; let the next bar confirm continuation before entering.
QuantRelay setup:first_band = bbm (length 20, std 2). second_band = bbu (for long bias) or bbl (for short bias). Tweak std to control how tight the squeeze must be.
Core idea: Blend a Donchian-type breakout logic with ATR-based envelopes. The price must clear the Keltner midline while volatility stays supportive, keeping you in the move until it loses the channel.
When it shines: Trending markets with orderly pullbacks. Works well on altcoins that have extended runs but respect ATR-based support.
Watch-outs: Rapid volatility spikes can widen channels and delay exits. Periodically recalibrate the scalar if ATR behavior changes.
QuantRelay setup:first_band = kcb (length 20, scalar 1.5). second_band = ema (length 34) or supertrend (length 10, multiplier 3) for confirmation.
Core idea: Use Supertrend as the directional filter and a Hull or Jurik MA to time entries. Only take signals aligned with the Supertrend color change, reducing whipsaws in sideways phases.
When it shines: Swing setups on majors where trend transitions are clean and you want additional confirmation before adding risk.
Watch-outs: Supertrend can lag during early trend reversals. Combine with market structure analysis (higher highs/lows) to anticipate flips.
QuantRelay setup:first_band = hma or jma (length 21). second_band = supertrend (length 10, multiplier 3). Keep offset at 0.