SKILL.md
MQL5-Python Translation Workspace Skill
Seamless MQL5 indicator translation to Python with autonomous validation and self-correction.
Self-Evolving Skill: This skill improves through use. If instructions are wrong, parameters drifted, or a workaround was needed — fix this file immediately, don't defer. Only update for real, reproducible issues.
When to Use This Skill
Use this skill when the user wants to:
- Export market data or indicator values from MetaTrader 5
- Translate MQL5 indicators to Python implementations
- Validate Python indicator accuracy against MQL5 reference
- Understand MQL5-Python workflow capabilities and limitations
- Troubleshoot common translation issues
Activation Phrases: "MQL5", "MetaTrader", "indicator translation", "Python validation", "export data", "mql5-crossover workspace"
Core Mission
Main Theme: Make MQL5-Python translation as seamless as possible through:
- Autonomous workflows (headless export, CLI compilation, automated validation)
- Validation-driven iteration (>=0.999 correlation gates all work)
- Self-correction (documented failures prevent future mistakes)
- Clear boundaries (what works vs what doesn't, with alternatives)
Project Root: ~/Library/Application Support/CrossOver/Bottles/MetaTrader 5/drive_c
Workspace Capabilities Matrix
WHAT THIS WORKSPACE CAN DO
1. Automated Headless Market Data Export (v3.0.0)
Status: PRODUCTION (0.999920 correlation validated)
What It Does:
- Fetches OHLCV data + built-in indicators (RSI, SMA) from any symbol/timeframe
- True headless via Wine Python + MetaTrader5 API
- No GUI initialization required (cold start supported)
- Execution time: 6-8 seconds for 5000 bars
Command Example:
CX_BOTTLE="MetaTrader 5" \
WINEPREFIX="$HOME/Library/Application Support/CrossOver/Bottles/MetaTrader 5" \
wine "C:\\Program Files\\Python312\\python.exe" \
"C:\\users\\crossover\\export_aligned.py" \
--symbol EURUSD --period M1 --bars 5000Use When: User needs automated market data exports without GUI interaction
Limitations: Cannot access custom indicator buffers (API restriction)
Reference: /docs/guides/WINEPYTHONEXECUTION.md
Reference Documentation
For detailed information, see:
- [Capabilities Detailed](./references/capabilities-detailed.md) - In-depth capability documentation
- [Complete Workflows](./references/workflows-complete.md) - End-to-end user workflows
- [Troubleshooting & Errors](./references/troubleshooting-errors.md) - Requirements, assumptions, error patterns
- [Validation Metrics](./references/validation-metrics.md) - Success metrics and version history
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Wine Python not found | CrossOver/Wine not installed | Install CrossOver, verify bottle path |
| MT5 API connection failed | MetaTrader not running | Launch MetaTrader 5 before running export |
| Correlation below 0.999 | Indicator mismatch | Verify warmup periods, check calculation alignment |
| Custom indicator not working | API restriction | Use CSV export from MT5, not Python API |
| UnicodeDecodeError | Windows path encoding | Use raw strings for Windows paths in Wine |
| Symbol not found | Wrong symbol format | Use exact MT5 symbol name (e.g., EURUSD not EUR/USD) |
| Timeout on export | Too many bars requested | Reduce bar count, default 5000 is safe |
| Permission denied | Wine prefix incorrect | Set WINEPREFIX to correct CrossOver bottle path |
Post-Execution Reflection
After this skill completes, check before closing:
- Did the command succeed? — If not, fix the instruction or error table that caused the failure.
- Did parameters or output change? — If the underlying tool's interface drifted, update Usage examples and Parameters table to match.
- Was a workaround needed? — If you had to improvise (different flags, extra steps), update this SKILL.md so the next invocation doesn't need the same workaround.
Only update if the issue is real and reproducible — not speculative.