Understanding Nodes
Nodes are the building blocks you'll drag onto your canvas to create trading strategies. Each node has a specific job - some fetch data, others make decisions, and some execute trades. Let's explore what each one does and when to use it.
Think of Nodes Like LEGO Blocks
Each node is a piece you can connect to others. A Data Source node provides information (like "what's the current RSI?"), a Comparison node makes a decision ("is RSI below 30?"), and an Action node executes the trade ("buy now!"). String them together to build your strategy.
Nodes for Building Strategies
These are the nodes you'll use on your main strategy canvas. They let you access market data, compare values, combine conditions, and execute trades.
Data Source
The starting point of every strategy - provides live market data and indicators
What It Does:
This node streams Bitcoin price data (open, high, low, close, volume) and any technical indicators you choose. Think of it as the "eyes" of your strategy - it watches the market and reports what's happening.
HOW TO USE
- 1. Drag it onto your canvas (it's in the "Data" section)
- 2. It's already set to Bitcoin 1-minute - no need to change
- 3. Click to select which indicators you want (RSI, MACD, etc.)
- 4. Connect the output to other nodes that need data
AVAILABLE INDICATORS
- • Moving Averages (SMA_20, EMA_50)
- • Momentum (RSI_14, MACD)
- • Volatility (Bollinger Bands, ATR)
- • Price data (close, open, high, low)
- • Your positions (entry_price, size)
Example:
You want to buy when RSI is low. Add a Data Source node and select "close" (current price) and "RSI_14" (14-period RSI). Now these values flow out to the rest of your strategy.
Comparison
Compares two values and returns true or false
What It Does:
This node answers yes/no questions about your data. "Is RSI less than 30?" "Is price above the 200-day moving average?" It compares two things using operators like >, <, or ==.
HOW TO USE
- 1. Drag onto canvas (it's in the "Logic" section)
- 2. Connect your Data Source to the left input
- 3. Choose what to compare (e.g., select "RSI_14")
- 4. Pick an operator (<, >, ==)
- 5. Enter the value to compare against (e.g., "30")
COMMON COMPARISONS
- • RSI < 30 (oversold condition)
- • RSI > 70 (overbought condition)
- • Price > SMA_200 (above long-term average)
- • MACD > Signal Line (bullish momentum)
Example:
To check if Bitcoin is oversold: connect your Data Source to a Comparison node, select "RSI_14", choose the "<" operator, and type "30". The node will output "true" when RSI drops below 30.
Logic (AND/OR)
Combines multiple conditions into one decision
What It Does:
Want to buy only when BOTH RSI is low AND volume is high? Or buy when EITHER condition is true? Logic nodes let you combine multiple comparisons using AND (all must be true) or OR (any can be true).
HOW TO USE
- 1. Drag onto canvas (it's in the "Logic" section)
- 2. Choose AND or OR from the dropdown
- 3. Connect 2 or more Comparison nodes to it
- 4. It will output true/false based on your logic
AND VS OR
- • AND: All conditions must be true
- Use for conservative entries
- Example: RSI low AND volume high
- • OR: Any condition can be true
- Use for multiple exit triggers
- Example: Stop loss OR take profit
Example:
Buy when RSI < 30 AND price > SMA_200. Create two Comparison nodes, connect both to a Logic node set to "AND". Now you only buy when BOTH conditions are met - safer than buying on RSI alone!
Buy/Sell Action
Executes your trades when conditions are met
What It Does:
This is where the magic happens! When all your conditions say "yes", the Action node places the buy or sell order. You set whether it's a buy or sell, and how much to trade.
HOW TO USE
- 1. Drag onto canvas (it's in the "Actions" section)
- 2. Choose BUY or SELL from the dropdown
- 3. Connect your condition to the "trigger" input
- 4. Connect a size value (like "1000") to the "size" input
- 5. When trigger is true, the trade executes!
SIZING YOUR TRADES
- • Fixed size: Always trade 1000 units
- • Use a Super Node for dynamic sizing
- • "Size 1000" template is pre-made and ready
- • For advanced: size based on volatility
Example:
Your Logic node says "buy when RSI < 30 AND price > SMA_200". Connect it to a Buy Action node's trigger input, set size to 1000, and you're done! When conditions are true, it buys 1000 units automatically.
Super Node
Pre-built calculations you can reuse (like profit calculators)
What It Does:
Super Nodes are like mini-calculators you can drop into your strategy. MangoLabs provides a few ready-made ones (like "calculate my profit %"), and you can create your own for complex math.
HOW TO USE
- 1. Drag a Super Node onto canvas
- 2. Click to select which template to use
- 3. Connect the required inputs (varies by template)
- 4. The output gives you the calculation result
PRE-MADE TEMPLATES
- • Size 1000: Fixed trade size
- • PNL long: Calculates profit %
- • PNL 2: Alternative profit calc
- • Create your own for custom needs!
Example:
Want to sell when profit reaches 2%? Use the "PNL long" Super Node connected to your Data Source. It calculates your profit %, then compare it to 2 in a Comparison node. When profit >= 2%, trigger your Sell action!
Comment
Add notes to remember what you're doing
What It Does:
Strategies get complex fast! Comment nodes let you add text notes anywhere on your canvas. "This checks for oversold conditions" or "Exit strategy starts here". Helps you (and others) understand your logic later.
Pro Tip:
Add comments before you forget! Future you will thank you when you come back to optimize a 50-node strategy and can't remember what each section does.
Nodes Inside Super Nodes
When you create your own Super Nodes (advanced feature), you'll use these special nodes. They're only available inside the Super Node canvas - you won't see them when building regular strategies.
Beginner Tip: You probably won't need these right away! The three ready-made Super Nodes (Size 1000, PNL long, PNL 2) cover most common needs. Come back here when you want to build custom calculations.
Input
Brings data INTO your Super Node
When you use a Super Node in your strategy, you connect your data to it. The Input node inside the Super Node receives that data and passes it to the calculations inside.
Output
Sends the result OUT of your Super Node
After all your calculations inside the Super Node, the Output node sends the final result back to your main strategy. Every Super Node needs exactly one Output.
Math
Does calculations: +, -, ×, ÷, etc.
The Math node is your calculator inside a Super Node. Add, subtract, multiply, divide - build custom formulas like "(close - entry_price) / entry_price × 100" to calculate profit percentage.
Example Use Case:
The "PNL long" Super Node uses Math nodes internally: it subtracts entry_price from current close, divides by entry_price, and multiplies by 100 to get percentage profit.
Static Value
A fixed number you can use in calculations
Need to multiply by 100? Divide by 2? Static Value nodes hold fixed numbers like 100, 2, 0.5, etc. that you use in your Math calculations inside Super Nodes.
Getting Started Tips
Start Simple
Your first strategy should be: Data Source → Comparison (RSI < 30) → Buy Action. That's it! Get comfortable with the basics before adding complexity.
Every Strategy Needs...
- • One Data Source (provides indicators)
- • At least one Buy action
- • At least one Sell action
- • Conditions that trigger those actions
Common Beginner Mistakes
- • Forgetting to connect the size input on actions
- • Not selecting indicators in Data Source
- • Using OR when you meant AND (and vice versa)
- • No exit strategy - always plan your sell!
Pro Tip
Use Comment nodes liberally! When you have 20+ nodes, comments like "Entry Logic" and "Risk Management" make it way easier to understand what's happening.
Ready to Build?
Build Your First Strategy (Step-by-Step)
Follow our beginner tutorial to create an RSI mean reversion strategy. We'll walk you through every node, every connection, and explain why each part matters.
RSI Strategy Tutorial
Learn by doing! Build a complete RSI strategy from scratch, backtest it, and see how to interpret the results. Perfect for visual learners.
Advanced: Create Super Nodes
Once you're comfortable with basic strategies, learn how to build your own Super Nodes for complex calculations you want to reuse.