# Chain Mode - For advanced multi-EA strategies

It allows EA instances to be **linked together in a chain**, where one instance controls when another instance is allowed to trade.

This feature is designed to keep some EA instances **inactive most of the time**, and only activate them **when another instance enters recovery and drawdown**.

This helps keep market participation active while the main EA is busy managing recovery trades.

{% hint style="info" %}

#### How Chain Mode Works

Each EA instance can monitor **one other instance**, called its master.

When the master is trading normally:

* The linked instance remains paused
* No new trades are opened

When the master enters recovery and reaches a defined drawdown:

* The linked instance becomes active
* It starts opening new trades according to its own strategy

This logic allows instances to be **stacked or chained**, not just linked to a single master.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}

#### Chaining Multiple Instances Together

Chain Mode supports **multi-level chaining**.

This means:

* One instance can act as the master of another
* That second instance can then act as the master of a third
* Each instance activates only when its own master enters drawdown
  {% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}

#### Simple Chain Example

You run three SmartChoise EA instances on the same account.

Instance A\
Acts as the master and trades normally.

Instance B\
Uses Instance A as its master.\
It remains paused until Instance A enters recovery and reaches the drawdown threshold.

Instance C\
Uses Instance B as its master.\
It remains paused until Instance B starts trading and then enters recovery and drawdown.

Behavior flow:

* Instance A trades first
* If Instance A enters recovery and drawdown, Instance B starts trading
* If Instance B later enters recovery and drawdown, Instance C starts trading

This creates a layered activation structure.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}

#### Why Chaining Can Be Useful

Chaining can help:

* Gradually increase exposure instead of activating all instances at once
* Control when additional strategies are introduced
* Spread activity across different market conditions
* Avoid all EAs trading simultaneously during normal conditions
  {% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}

#### Important Risk Warning

Each level in the chain **adds additional exposure**.

By the time later instances activate:

* Earlier instances may already be in drawdown
* Total account risk can be significantly higher
* Drawdowns can deepen quickly if market conditions remain unfavorable

Chaining should be used carefully and only with strict safety limits.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}

#### Magic Number of the Master Instance

This setting defines **which EA instance is treated as the master**.

The follower EA instance look for this specific identifier to monitor the master’s state.

If this value is set to zero:

* Chain Mode is completely disabled
* The EA works normally and independently

All follower instance must reference the master Magic Number for Chain Mode to work correctly.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}

#### Drawdown Measurement Type

This setting defines **how drawdown is measured on the master instance**.

You can choose between:

* Percentage
* Account currency value
* Price movement measured in points

This choice controls **how the EA evaluates when the master is considered to be in drawdown**.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}

#### Drawdown Threshold

This value defines **how much drawdown the master must reach before follower instances are activated**.

If this value is set to zero:

* Chain Mode remains inactive
* The EA works normally and independently

Once the master reaches or exceeds this drawdown level:

* Follower instance become active
* New trades are allowed
  {% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}

#### Simple Example

You run three SmartChoise EA instances on the same account.

One instance is the master.\
Two instances are followers. (You can have one or more followers of the same instance)

You define:

* Drawdown measured as percentage
* Drawdown threshold of 5 percent

Behavior:

* While the master drawdown is below 5 percent, followers do nothing
* When the master reaches 5 percent drawdown and enters recovery, followers start trading
* If drawdown improves and drops below the threshold, followers stop opening new trades again
* If a follower has open trades it will run normally until they are closed then look at the master again to see if it can open new entry or not
  {% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}

#### Why Someone Might Use Chain Mode

Chain Mode can be useful if you want:

* To avoid missing market opportunities during recovery phases
* To keep exposure flexible instead of fully stopping trading
* To use multiple strategies without them always trading at the same time
* To concentrate risk during normal conditions and expand only when needed

This can be useful in advanced portfolio-style setups.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="danger" %}

#### Why This Feature Is Risky

Chain Mode **increases overall account exposure**.

When activated:

* The master is already in drawdown
* Additional EA instances start opening new trades
* Total risk on the account increases

This can:

* Increase drawdown depth
* Make recovery more complex
* Trigger account-level safety limits faster

This feature should not be used without strong risk controls.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="danger" %}

#### When NOT to Use Chain Mode

Chain Mode is generally not suitable if:

* You are new to automated trading
* You trade on small accounts
* You do not use hard stops or loss limits
* You do not fully understand recovery behavior
* You prefer stable and predictable exposure
  {% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}

#### Recommended Usage Guidance

* Use Chain Mode only after extensive demo testing
* Start with high drawdown thresholds
* Limit the number of follower instances
* Combine with strict daily, weekly, and hard stops
* Monitor account exposure closely
  {% endhint %}

Chain Mode allows additional EA instances to trade only when a master instance enters recovery and drawdown.\
It is designed to prevent missed opportunities but increases overall risk.\
It supports multi-level chains but significantly increases overall risk and complexity.

This feature is intended for advanced users only and must be tested carefully on a demo account before live use.

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[Magic number of the master instance](/smartchoise-manual/options/chain-mode-for-advanced-multi-ea-strategies/magic-number-of-the-master-instance.md)
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[Drawdown Threshold](/smartchoise-manual/options/chain-mode-for-advanced-multi-ea-strategies/drawdown-threshold.md)
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[Drawdown Measurement Type](/smartchoise-manual/options/chain-mode-for-advanced-multi-ea-strategies/drawdown-measurement-type.md)
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