# Trailing Start threshold in points

* **0 or empty (Disabled):**\
  The trailing stop activates immediately when profit reaches the [Trailing Stop Loss ](/smartchoise-manual/options/trailing/trailing-stop-loss-in-points.md)value (if set)
* **Comma-separated list of positive integers, in points,** defines **the minimum profit in points** at which each trailing level becomes active

  1. `1000`
  2. `1000,2000`
  3. `800,1500,2500`

  `0` or negative values are ignored.

  After filtering, the remaining values **must be strictly increasing**:

  * e.g. `800,1500,2500` is OK
  * `1000,800` → invalid → EA will stop with parameter error.

  If, after ignoring invalid values, the list is empty, `InpTrailingStart` is treated as **not configured**.

  \
  The trailing stop activates only when the profit in points reaches the `Trailing Start` value. From that moment, the Stop Loss is maintained at a fixed distance equal to `Trailing Stop`  from the current price

{% hint style="success" %}
The Trailing Start value should always be greater than the spread and any broker-imposed stop level to avoid activation issues.\
The Trailing Start value should always be greater than the [Trailing Stop Loss ](/smartchoise-manual/options/trailing/trailing-stop-loss-in-points.md)value
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}

### 🧠 How it works with Trailing Stop Loss

* If **both** Trailing Start  and [ Trailing Stop Loss](/smartchoise-manual/options/trailing/trailing-stop-loss-in-points.md) are set and valid they form pairs:\
  Trailing Start          = 1000,2000
  \
  [Trailing Stop Loss](/smartchoise-manual/options/trailing/trailing-stop-loss-in-points.md) = 700, 600\
  From 0 to 999 points → no trailing.
  * From 1000 to 1999 → Level 1 (dist = 700).
  * From 2000+ → Level 2 (dist = 600).
    {% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}

### Important

* **Trailing Start** must be **greater than** [Trailing Stop Loss](/smartchoise-manual/options/trailing/trailing-stop-loss-in-points.md) to be effective.
*  [Trailing Stop Loss](/smartchoise-manual/options/trailing/trailing-stop-loss-in-points.md) must be **greater than 0**, otherwise trailing will not work, even if **Trailing Start** is set.
* Applies to both real trailing stops (modifying broker SL) and virtual trailing stops (VSL).
* Always ensure both values are above the broker’s minimum stop level and spread.

#### Using only Trailing Start (without SL)

If you set **Trailing Start** but leave  [Trailing Stop Loss](/smartchoise-manual/options/trailing/trailing-stop-loss-in-points.md) empty / zero:

* The configuration is **invalid,** the EA will return a parameter error and **not start**.

Reason: without a distance ([Trailing Stop Loss](/smartchoise-manual/options/trailing/trailing-stop-loss-in-points.md)), the EA has no meaningful way to position the SL.
{% endhint %}


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