# DeltaLadder for NinjaTrader 8
A customizable delta-by-price ladder indicator that displays cumulative buy/sell volume delta at each price level with automatic reset on price reversals.
## Features
✅ **Delta by Price Ladder** - Accumulates buy and sell volume at each price level
✅ **Adjustable Tick Size** - Group multiple ticks per row for cleaner display
✅ **Auto-Reset on Reversal** - Ladder resets when price reverses by a specified number of points
✅ **Customizable Offset** - Adjustable horizontal distance from price bars
✅ **Color Customization** - Default blue (positive) and red (negative), fully adjustable
✅ **Real-time Updates** - Uses OnMarketData for tick-by-tick accuracy
✅ **Scaled Visualization** - Bar width scales with delta magnitude

## Configuration Parameters
### Parameters Group
| Parameter | Default | Range | Description |
|-----------|---------|-------|-------------|
| **Ticks Per Row** | 4 | 1-100 | Number of ticks grouped into each price level row |
| **Reset Ticks** | 200 | 1-1000 | Number of ticks for reversal reset (e.g., 200 for /NQ = 50 points) |
| **Offset (Pixels)** | 50 | 0-500 | Horizontal distance from the rightmost price bar |
| **Bar Width** | 60 | 20-200 | Maximum width of delta bars in pixels |
### Bar Colors Group
| Setting | Default | Description |
|---------|---------|-------------|
| **Positive Bar Color** | Dodger Blue | Color for positive delta bars (more buying) |
| **Negative Bar Color** | Crimson | Color for negative delta bars (more selling) |
| **Bar Opacity (%)** | 80 | Transparency of the delta bars (10-100%) |
### Text Group
| Setting | Default | Description |
|---------|---------|-------------|
| **Font Size** | 9 | Size of the delta number text (7-20) |
| **Positive Text Color** | Linen | Color for positive delta text |
| **Negative Text Color** | Linen | Color for negative delta text |
| **Text Opacity (%)** | 100 | Transparency of the delta text (10-100%) |
## How It Works
### Delta Calculation
-**Buy Volume**: Trades at or near the ask price
-**Sell Volume**: Trades at or near the bid price
-**Delta**: Buy Volume - Sell Volume
### Price Grouping
The `Ticks Per Row` parameter groups price levels together. For example:
- If /NQ tick size is 0.25 and Ticks Per Row = 4
- Each row represents 1 point (4 × 0.25)
- All volume within that 1-point range accumulates in one bar
### Auto-Reset Logic
The ladder maintains direction and accumulates delta until a reversal occurs:
**Uptrend Mode:**
- Tracks the highest price reached
- If price drops by `Reset Ticks`, the ladder resets and switches to downtrend mode
**Downtrend Mode:**
- Tracks the lowest price reached
- If price rises by `Reset Ticks`, the ladder resets and switches to uptrend mode
### Example for /NQ (Reset Ticks = 200, which equals 50 points)
1. Price rallies from 25,450 to 25,520 → Ladder accumulates in uptrend mode
2. Price drops to 25,470 (200 tick/50-point reversal) → **Ladder resets** and switches to downtrend mode
3. Price continues to 25,430 → Ladder accumulates in downtrend mode
4. Price rallies back to 25,480 (200 tick/50-point reversal) → **Ladder resets** and switches back to uptrend mode
## Recommended Settings by Instrument
### /NQ (Nasdaq E-Mini)
- Ticks Per Row: 4 (1 point)
- Reset Ticks: 200-400 (50-100 points)
### /ES (S&P E-Mini)
- Ticks Per Row: 4 (1 point)
- Reset Ticks: 40-80 (10-20 points)
### /CL (Crude Oil)
- Ticks Per Row: 10 (10 ticks)
- Reset Ticks: 50-100 (50-100 cents)
### /6E (Euro FX)
- Ticks Per Row: 10
- Reset Ticks: 50-100 (50-100 pips)
## Visual Display
The ladder appears to the right of the price bars showing:
-**Horizontal bars** representing cumulative delta at each price level
-**Blue bars** for positive delta (buying pressure)
-**Red bars** for negative delta (selling pressure)
-**Right-aligned numbers** in Linen color showing the exact delta value (no '+' sign for positive values)
-**Bar width** scales with the magnitude of the delta
-**Bars extend leftward** from a fixed right edge, with the flat side on the right
## Tips for Use
1.**Combine with Price Action**: Look for divergences between price movement and delta
2.**Key Levels**: Strong delta accumulation often marks support/resistance
3.**Reversal Confirmation**: Watch for delta shifts before price reversal
4.**Volume Clusters**: Wide bars indicate high-volume price levels
5.**Adjust Reset Ticks**: Use smaller values for scalping, larger for swing trading (remember: ticks, not points!)
6.**Text Visibility**: Change text colors from Linen to match your chart theme if needed
## Technical Notes
- Uses `OnMarketData` for real-time tick processing
- Implements `OnRender` for custom drawing with SharpDX
- Dictionary-based storage for efficient price level lookups
- Automatic scaling based on maximum delta in current ladder
- Compatible with NinjaTrader 8 only
## License
This indicator is provided as-is for use with NinjaTrader 8. Modify and customize as needed for your trading requirements.
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**Disclaimer**: This indicator is for informational purposes only. Trading futures and forex involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results.