FreeIndicators·ThinkorSwim
Moving Average Clouds
MA cloud bands for trend context at a glance.
How to install in ThinkorSwim
- In ThinkorSwim, open a chart, then go to Studies → Edit Studies.
- Click Create, clear the editor, and paste the code.
- Name it, click Apply, then OK, and it draws on your chart.
How to Use — WeTradePro Moving Average Clouds
Two MAs with a colored cloud between them. Educational, not advice.
What it is (one line)
A trend ribbon: a green cloud when the fast MA is above the slow MA (bullish) and red when it's below (bearish) — color flips mark the crossover, thickness shows trend strength.
Who it's for & best timeframe
| Trader type | How you use it | Best timeframe | Recommended setting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day trader | Trade with the cloud color; buy pullbacks to the cloud in green | 5-min – 15-min | 9 / 21 EMA |
| Swing trader | Best fit — hold while the daily cloud stays green, exit on the flip | Daily | 9 / 21 or 20 / 50 EMA |
| Position trader | Use a wide cloud (e.g. 50/200) on the weekly as the macro filter | Weekly | 50 / 200 |
Best overall: the daily chart with a 9/21 or 20/50 EMA cloud.
What you see (price panel)
- Fast MA colored green (bullish) / red (bearish), slow MA in gray.
- Cloud between them: light green = bullish, light red = bearish.
- Cyan up / magenta down arrows at the crossover.
- Label:
CLOUD: BULLISH/BEARISHwith bars since the last flip (trend maturity).
How to trade it (the core play)
- Color is your bias. Green cloud = look long only; red cloud = look short only.
- Thickness = conviction. A fat, separating cloud is a strong trend; a thin cloud means the MAs are converging — be cautious near a possible flip.
- Pullback entries: in a green cloud, buy dips that tag the top of the cloud and hold.
- Crossover entries: the arrow marks the flip — best when it agrees with a higher-timeframe trend.
- Stop below the cloud (long) / above it (short); exit when price closes through to the other side or the cloud flips color.
Settings (inputs)
fastLength(9) /slowLength(21) — the two MA lengths. Try 20/50 (swing) or 50/200 (macro).averageType(EXPONENTIAL) — EMA reacts faster; simple is smoother.price(close) — source.
Best on
- Liquid, trending stocks, ETFs, and futures. The cloud keeps you out of indecision when the MAs are tangled.
Common mistakes
- Trading every crossover in chop — thin, repeatedly flipping clouds = no trend; wait for separation.
- Fighting the color — don't short a fat green cloud.
- Ignoring the higher timeframe — best entries come when the cloud color agrees with the HTF trend.
Video script outline (for your WeTradePro tutorial)
- Hook: "One glance at the cloud color tells you the trend."
- Green vs red: which MA is on top.
- Thickness: strong trend vs converging/weak.
- The crossover arrow: where the trend flips.
- The play: trade with the color, buy pullbacks to the cloud.
- Stops and exits at the cloud edge.
- Recap + "import link in description."
Educational analysis, not financial advice.
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