> ## 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. # Playbooks > Understand what playbooks are, why they matter, and how they connect to your TradeAlign Score. Playbooks are the backbone of structured trading in TradeAlign. They define **what** you trade, **how** you trade it, and **what rules** must be followed for a trade to be considered aligned. ## What is a playbook? A playbook is a predefined trading strategy that includes: * **Entry criteria** — the conditions that must be met before entering a trade * **Risk rules** — how stop losses, position sizes, and targets are defined * **Execution checklist** — the specific rules evaluated in your TradeAlign Score Think of a playbook as your trading rulebook for a specific setup. Each playbook represents a repeatable edge. ## Why playbooks matter Without a defined playbook, there is no way to objectively evaluate execution. You can't measure discipline if the rules aren't written down. Know exactly what qualifies as a valid trade. Execute the same way every time. Your TradeAlign Score is calculated against your playbook rules. Deviations become visible and trackable. ## How playbooks connect to journaling When you journal a trade, you assign it to a playbook. This tells TradeAlign which execution rules to evaluate. The **TradeAlign Score** is then calculated by comparing your actual execution against the rules defined in that playbook. No playbook assignment = no score. ## Managing your playbooks You can create, edit, and manage playbooks from the **Playbooks** section in the left-hand menu. Each playbook can be: * Edited at any time * Assigned to multiple trades * Reviewed for performance over time Start with one or two playbooks that represent your most-traded setups. You can always add more as your strategy evolves. Follow the step-by-step guide to build your first playbook.