> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.tradealign.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Creating a New Playbook

> Walk through creating a new playbook — from naming it to defining the execution rules that power your TradeAlign Score.

## Step 1: Open the playbooks section

1. Click the **Playbooks** icon in the left-hand menu
2. Click **+ New Playbook** (or **Create Playbook**)

This opens the playbook builder.

## Step 2: Name your playbook

Give your playbook a clear, descriptive name that reflects the setup it represents.

**Good examples:**

* "Opening Range Breakout"
* "VWAP Reclaim Long"
* "Failed Breakdown Short"

Avoid generic names like "Strategy 1" — clarity helps during journaling and review.

## Step 3: Define entry criteria

Describe the conditions that must be present for this setup to be valid. Be specific.

Consider including:

* Market structure requirements (trend, range, breakout)
* Key levels (support/resistance, VWAP, moving averages)
* Time-of-day filters (session, opening range, etc.)
* Confirmation signals

<Tip>
  The more specific your entry criteria, the easier it becomes to evaluate whether you followed them.
</Tip>

## Step 4: Define risk rules

The Risk Framework captures your strategy's **count-based trade limits** — the structural rules that define how many trades you take and how many losses you accept before stopping.

| Rule                              | Description                                     |
| --------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| **Maximum losing trades per day** | How many losses before you walk away? (e.g., 2) |
| **Maximum trades per day**        | Total trade cap for one session (e.g., 4)       |

Both fields are required before saving your playbook.

<Note>
  Dollar-based risk parameters — risk per trade, position size, daily loss limit, and daily profit target — are set daily in your [Game Plan](/game-plan/pre-session#5-todays-risk-parameters). These values change based on your account state, so they belong in your daily session setup rather than your playbook.
</Note>

When you select a playbook in the Game Plan, your **max losing trades per day** value automatically populates the "Max losses today" field, keeping your daily commitment in sync with your strategy rules.

## Step 5: Create execution rules

This is the most important step. Execution rules are the **yes/no checklist** that determines your [TradeAlign Score](/journal/tradealign-score).

Each rule must be binary — it was either followed or it wasn't. Examples:

* "Entered only after confirmation candle closed"
* "Stop loss placed at defined invalidation level"
* "Position size within defined risk parameters"
* "Did not add to a losing position"
* "Exited at target or stop — no discretionary exits"

<Warning>
  A rule that cannot be answered **yes** or **no** is not an execution rule. Rewrite it until it's binary.
</Warning>

## Step 6: Save your playbook

Once all fields are complete, save the playbook. It will now appear in the playbook selector during trade journaling.

## Best practices

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Start simple">
    3 to 5 execution rules is a strong starting point. You can always add more as you refine your process.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Be honest">
    Write rules that reflect how you *should* trade, not how you *want* to describe it.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Iterate">
    Playbooks aren't permanent. Refine them as your understanding deepens.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="One setup per playbook">
    Don't combine multiple strategies into a single playbook. Each playbook should represent one repeatable edge.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Check>
  Your playbook is now ready. When journaling a trade, assign this playbook to evaluate your execution against these rules.
</Check>