MapleStax CBC (Candle by Candle) for NQ and MNQThis open-source indicator is built for intraday futures traders who want a clear, repeatable way to read price control and context on NQ and MNQ. The core idea is simple: CBC tracks who is in control candle by candle, while the supporting tools explain whether that control shift is happening in a strong or weak location.
Key terms (plain language)
LTF (Low Timeframe): 3-minute chart — this is the execution timeframe where entries are evaluated.
HTF (High Timeframe): 10-minute chart — this is the context timeframe used to confirm broader direction.
Recommended setup for NQ/MNQ: LTF = 3m and HTF = 10m.
BRSG Zone (“Buy Red Sell Green”): Two short horizontal dashes drawn on the last closed candle only. Many experienced traders watch this zone as a visual cue — for example, if the previous candle was red (bearish close) and the current forming candle is green but you have an active CBC sell signal, it can highlight a potential short-selling opportunity against the green candle. Use it only when other levels in the indicator also line up.
YDH / YDL: Yesterday’s High and Yesterday’s Low — the high and low prices from the previous completed New York regular trading session (9:30 AM – 4:00 PM ET).
PMH / PML: Premarket High and Premarket Low — the highest and lowest prices reached before the regular New York market open (pre-market session).
VWAP (Volume Weighted Average Price): The average price at which the symbol has traded throughout the day, weighted by volume. Price trading above VWAP often gives bullish traders more confidence (favors longs), while price trading below VWAP gives bearish traders more confidence (favors shorts).
ORB (Opening Range Break): The high and low of the Opening Range — the first 30 minutes after the New York market open. These levels are important because many traders watch for breakouts above the ORB high (bullish strength) or breakdowns below the ORB low (bearish strength), or reactions when price returns to the range.
What is original about this script
The script is not a collection of unrelated signals. It is a single price-action workflow centered on CBC state changes. CBC is the primary engine, and every other module is included for a specific reason: to qualify whether a CBC flip is occurring in favorable structure, favorable direction, and favorable location. The design goal is practical and educational — help traders read control shifts with fewer blind spots, not just generate more markers.
How CBC works
CBC flips bullish when the current candle closes above the high of the prior candle.
CBC flips bearish when the current candle closes below the low of the prior candle.
Once flipped, the state persists until the opposite break occurs (strict prior-bar breaks only).
Triangles mark these state changes on the chart.
Optional CBC Reversal highlights back-to-back flip behavior.
Why the supporting components are combined with CBC
The CBC engine alone is powerful, but the real edge comes from deliberately layering institutional reference levels and filters to create one cohesive decision-making framework:
HTF CBC (10m): helps answer, “Is my 3m flip aligned with higher-timeframe control?”
EMA 9/20 cloud: helps answer, “Is short-term trend structure supporting this flip?” (plus optional EMA20 touch dots). On the 3-minute chart, a green cloud shows a bullish trend — when price retraces back into the cloud it often offers a high-probability bullish entry. A red cloud shows a bearish trend — when price retraces into the cloud it can offer a bearish entry opportunity. The CBC direction plus where price sits relative to VWAP and the other levels adds extra confidence to these setups.
VWAP and EMA 200: help answer, “Is price on the strong side or weak side of key mean/trend references?”
Opening Range (NY/London/Asian sessions — also called ORB) and reference levels (YDH/YDL/YDC/PMH/PML): help answer, “Is this flip happening at a meaningful location?” Each reference level is fully customizable (individual color, width 1–4, style: solid/dashed/dotted).
CBC Flip-level dashes (LTF + HTF): show the exact next price that would invalidate the current CBC state, giving a clear risk/invalidation reference.
Optional LTF & HTF Pivot lines: persistent support/resistance at recent pivots until a new pivot forms.
Optional Bill Breaker levels: five ratcheting levels for additional structure.
Optional BRSG Zone: retracement zone on the last closed candle.
Optional bar coloring: solid overlay when LTF and HTF CBC are in agreement.
Together, these tools convert a raw flip into a structured decision process: control change → location → alignment → confirmation.
How to use it (NQ/MNQ recommended workflow)
Set chart to 3-minute and set HTF input to 10-minute.
Wait for a new CBC flip on LTF.
Check location: opening range (ORB) position and nearby YDH/YDL/YDC/PMH/PML.
Check alignment: HTF CBC and EMA cloud direction.
Check confirmation: price vs VWAP and EMA 200.
Use CBC flip-level dash as your next-state/invalidation reference.
Ideal chart layout
Side-by-side charts are recommended: one 3m chart and one 10m chart, both with this indicator.
For publication screenshots, use a clean chart with only this indicator so outputs are easy to identify.
What this script is and is not
This is an open-source visual decision-support framework.
This is not an automated strategy and does not guarantee outcomes.
Like all fast-reacting price-action tools, it can whipsaw in choppy conditions.
Session scope
The reference and opening-range logic uses America/New_York session timing. It is most relevant for instruments with strong NY participation, including NQ and MNQ.
Disclaimer
For educational and analytical use only. Not investment advice.
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