Pine Script Developer Skill

Pine Script Developer

Specialized in writing production-quality Pine Script v6 code for TradingView.

⚠️ CRITICAL: Pine Script v6 2025 Updates

These updates are essential for writing correct, modern Pine Script code:

December 2025: Updated Line Wrapping Rules

Expressions in parentheses now support flexible indentation:

// ✅ NOW VALID - Any indentation inside parentheses
plot(series,
    title="My Plot",    // Can use any indentation
    color=color.blue)

// ✅ Also valid
longCondition = (ta.crossover(ema50, ema200) and
    rsi < 30 and
    volume > ta.sma(volume, 20))

// ⚠️ STILL REQUIRED outside parentheses - non-multiple-of-4 indentation
longCondition = ta.crossover(ema50, ema200) and
     rsi < 30   // Must NOT be multiple of 4 spaces

March 2025: BREAKING CHANGE - For Loop Dynamic Boundaries

for loops now evaluate to_num before every iteration, not just once.

PREFERRED: Use for...in loops for collections:

// ✅ BEST: Use for...in for arrays (safe, clean, preferred)
for element in myArray
    // Process element directly

// ✅ BEST: Use for...in with index when needed
for [index, element] in myArray
    // Have both index and value

// ✅ for...in works with arrays, matrices, and maps
for [key, value] in myMap
    // Iterate key-value pairs

If you must use traditional for loop:

// ⚠️ BREAKING: This creates infinite loop!
var arr = array.new<int>()
for i = 0 to array.size(arr)  // Re-evaluated each iteration
    array.push(arr, i)  // Array grows, loop never ends!

// ✅ FALLBACK: Cache the boundary if using traditional for
size = array.size(arr)
for i = 0 to size
    array.push(arr, i)

Note: for...in allows modifying array/matrix sizes during iteration. Maps cannot be resized during for...in - use map.keys() array instead.

February 2025: Scope Limit Removed

Previously limited to 550 total scopes
Now unlimited scopes across functions, methods, loops, conditionals, types, and enums

February 2025: Bid/Ask Variables

// Only available on 1T (tick) timeframe
bidPrice = bid  // Highest buyer price (na on other timeframes)
askPrice = ask  // Lowest seller price (na on other timeframes)

Pine Script v6 2025 New Features

July 2025: Input `active` Parameter

All input functions now support conditional activation:

useCustomMA = input.bool(false, "Use Custom MA")
customMALength = input.int(20, "Custom MA Length",
    active=useCustomMA,  // Grayed out when useCustomMA is false
    tooltip="Only available when 'Use Custom MA' is enabled")

July 2025: `syminfo.current_contract`

// For continuous futures - returns underlying contract ticker
currentContract = syminfo.current_contract  // Returns na for non-continuous

November 2025: `syminfo.isin`

// International Securities Identification Number (12 chars)
isinCode = syminfo.isin  // Empty string if unavailable

September 2025: Plot Line Styles

plot(series, linestyle=plot.linestyle_solid)   // Default
plot(series, linestyle=plot.linestyle_dashed)  // Dashed line
plot(series, linestyle=plot.linestyle_dotted)  // Dotted line

October 2025: Enhanced `time()` and `time_close()`

New timeframe_bars_back parameter:

// Get time from 5 bars back on the DAILY timeframe (not current chart)
dailyTimeBack = time("D", timeframe_bars_back=5)

// Positive = past bars, Negative = future (expected) timestamps
futureTime = time("D", timeframe_bars_back=-1)  // Expected next bar

August 2025: Increased String Length

Maximum string length: 40,960 characters (was 4,096)

June 2025: Library Constant Exports

// In library:
//@version=6
library("MyLib")
export const float PI = 3.14159265359
export const int MAX_BARS = 500
export const string VERSION = "1.0.0"

May 2025: `time_close` on Non-Time-Based Charts

For Renko, Line Break, Kagi, Point & Figure, Range charts:

time_close of open realtime bar now returns na
time_close[1] now works immediately after bar closes

April 2025: Percentage-Based Ticker Styles

// New "PercentageLTP" style for percentage box sizing
renkoTicker = ticker.renko(syminfo.tickerid, "PercentageLTP", 1.0)
kagiTicker = ticker.kagi(syminfo.tickerid, "PercentageLTP", 0.5)
pnfTicker = ticker.pointfigure(syminfo.tickerid, "PercentageLTP", 1.0)

March 2025: `box.set_xloc()`

// Modify box x-coordinates after creation
box.set_xloc(myBox, left, right, xloc.bar_index)
box.set_xloc(myBox, leftTime, rightTime, xloc.bar_time)

CRITICAL: Line Wrapping Rules (Updated December 2025)

Inside Parentheses (FLEXIBLE)

// ✅ Any indentation works inside ()
plot(series,
    title="Plot",
        color=color.blue,  // Different indentation OK
    linewidth=2)

indicator("Title",
    overlay=true,
    max_bars_back=500)

Outside Parentheses (STRICT)

// ✅ CORRECT - Non-multiple-of-4 indentation
longCondition = ta.crossover(ema50, ema200) and
     rsi < 30 and
     volume > ta.sma(volume, 20)

// ❌ WRONG - Multiple of 4 (or same level)
longCondition = ta.crossover(ema50, ema200) and
    rsi < 30  // Error: 4 spaces

longCondition = ta.crossover(ema50, ema200) and
rsi < 30  // Error: same indentation

CRITICAL: Ternary Operators - Keep on ONE Line

// ❌ NEVER split ternary across lines
text = condition ?
    "value1" :
    "value2"  // ERROR!

// ✅ ALWAYS keep on one line
text = condition ? "value1" : "value2"

// ✅ For long ternaries, use intermediate variables
trueText = str.format("Long value {0}", param1)
falseText = str.format("Other value {0}", param2)
result = condition ? trueText : falseText

CRITICAL: Plot Scope Restriction

NEVER use plot() inside local scopes:

// ❌ WRONG - All of these fail:
if condition
    plot(value)  // ERROR: Cannot use 'plot' in local scope

for i = 0 to 10
    plot(close[i])  // ERROR!

myFunc() =>
    plot(close)  // ERROR!

// ✅ CORRECT patterns:
plot(condition ? value : na)  // Conditional plotting
plot(value, color=condition ? color.blue : na)  // Conditional color

// For dynamic drawing in local scopes, use:
if condition
    line.new(...)   // OK
    label.new(...)  // OK
    box.new(...)    // OK

⚠️ CRITICAL: UDT-First Architecture

For any complex data structure, ALWAYS define User Defined Types (UDTs) FIRST before writing any other code.

Why UDT-First?

Encapsulation: Bundle related data and drawing objects together
Methods: Add behavior directly to types with method syntax
Unlimited Lookback: Use xloc.bar_time instead of xloc.bar_index (5000 bar limit!)
Clean Arrays: One array<MyType> instead of 6+ parallel arrays
Self-Managing Drawings: Types can create/delete their own visual objects

UDT Definition Pattern

// ALWAYS define UDTs early in script (after inputs, before calculations)
type Regression
    // Time coordinates (for xloc.bar_time - NO lookback limit!)
    int startTime
    int endTime

    // Bar indices (for Y calculations: y = slope * barIndex + intercept)
    int startBarIndex
    int endBarIndex

    // Data parameters
    float slope
    float intercept
    float stdDev
    float pearsonR

    // State flags
    bool isLive = false
    bool isOriginal = false

    // Drawing objects (managed internally)
    line centerLine = na
    line upperLine = na
    line lowerLine = na
    linefill fill = na

UDT Methods Pattern

// Delete method - clean up drawing objects
method delete(Regression this) =>
    if not na(this.centerLine)
        line.delete(this.centerLine)
    if not na(this.upperLine)
        line.delete(this.upperLine)
    if not na(this.lowerLine)
        line.delete(this.lowerLine)
    if not na(this.fill)
        linefill.delete(this.fill)
    this.centerLine := na
    this.upperLine := na
    this.lowerLine := na
    this.fill := na

// Calculation method
method calculateY(Regression this, int barIdx) =>
    this.slope * barIdx + this.intercept

// Draw method - use xloc.bar_time for unlimited lookback!
method draw(Regression this, color baseColor, int width) =>
    this.delete()  // Clean up old drawings first
    startY = this.calculateY(this.startBarIndex)
    endY = this.calculateY(this.endBarIndex)

    // ✅ CRITICAL: Use xloc.bar_time - NO 5000 bar limit!
    this.centerLine := line.new(
         this.startTime, startY,
         this.endTime, endY,
         xloc=xloc.bar_time,  // ← UNLIMITED LOOKBACK
         color=baseColor,
         width=width)

⚠️ CRITICAL: xloc.bar_time vs xloc.bar_index

ALWAYS use xloc.bar_time for drawing objects that may need historical display:

// ❌ WRONG - Limited to 5000 bars back
line.new(bar_index - 100, y1, bar_index, y2, xloc=xloc.bar_index)

// ✅ CORRECT - Unlimited historical lookback
line.new(time[100], y1, time, y2, xloc=xloc.bar_time)

// Store TIME when events occur, not just bar_index
var int eventTime = na
var int eventBarIndex = na
if eventOccurred
    eventTime := time           // For drawing
    eventBarIndex := bar_index  // For Y calculation

UDT Storage Pattern

// Single array of UDTs instead of parallel arrays
var array<Regression> regressions = array.new<Regression>()
var Regression liveRegression = na
var Regression originalRegression = na

// ❌ WRONG - Parallel arrays (hard to maintain)
var array<float> slopes = array.new<float>()
var array<float> intercepts = array.new<float>()
var array<int> startBars = array.new<int>()
var array<int> endBars = array.new<int>()
// ... 6+ arrays to keep in sync!

// ✅ CORRECT - Single UDT array
var array<Regression> regressions = array.new<Regression>()

Creating and Storing UDTs

// Create new instance with all data
newRegression = Regression.new(
    startTime = capturedStartTime,
    endTime = capturedEndTime,
    startBarIndex = capturedStartBar,
    endBarIndex = capturedEndBar,
    slope = calculatedSlope,
    intercept = calculatedIntercept,
    stdDev = calculatedStdDev,
    pearsonR = calculatedR
)

// Add to collection
array.push(regressions, newRegression)

Iterating UDT Arrays with for...in

// ✅ BEST: Use for...in for UDT arrays
for reg in regressions
    baseColor = reg.slope >= 0 ? uptrendColor : downtrendColor
    reg.draw(baseColor, lineWidth)

// ✅ With index when needed
for [i, reg] in regressions
    if i == array.size(regressions) - 1
        // Special handling for last item

Time Capture Pattern

// Capture BOTH time and bar_index when events occur
var int startTime = na
var int startBarIndex = na
var int endTime = na
var int endBarIndex = na

if eventStart
    startTime := time        // For xloc.bar_time drawing
    startBarIndex := bar_index  // For Y calculations

if eventEnd
    endTime := time
    endBarIndex := bar_index

    // Create UDT with both coordinate systems
    newItem = MyType.new(
        startTime = startTime,
        endTime = endTime,
        startBarIndex = startBarIndex,
        endBarIndex = endBarIndex
    )

UDT Architecture Checklist

[ ] Define UDT type BEFORE any calculations
[ ] Store time values for drawing coordinates
[ ] Store bar_index values for Y calculations
[ ] Include drawing objects (line, box, label) as UDT fields
[ ] Add delete() method to clean up drawings
[ ] Add draw() method using xloc.bar_time
[ ] Use single array<MyType> instead of parallel arrays
[ ] Use for...in to iterate UDT arrays

Documentation Access

Use the pinescript MCP server tools for documentation:

pine_reference - Look up any function, variable, or type (e.g., ta.sma, plot)
pine_guide - Retrieve guide pages by topic (syntax, execution model, repainting)
pine_search - Full-text search across all Pine Script docs
pine_examples - Find code examples with context

Project File Management

Save work to /projects/[project-name].pine
Update file header with accurate project information
Never create unnecessary files

Script Structure Templates

Indicator Template

// built with PineScript Agents by TradersPost
//@version=6
indicator(title="", shorttitle="", overlay=true)

Strategy Template (IMPORTANT: Include alert annotation)

// built with PineScript Agents by TradersPost
//@version=6
strategy(title="", shorttitle="", overlay=true)
//@strategy_alert_message {{strategy.order.alert_message}}

// ============================================================================
// INPUTS
// ============================================================================

// Group 1: Main Settings
setting1 = input.int(14, "Setting", group="Main Settings",
    tooltip="Description of what this does")

// Group 2: Visual Settings
showPlots = input.bool(true, "Show Plots", group="Visual Settings")
plotColor = input.color(color.blue, "Plot Color", group="Visual Settings",
    active=showPlots)  // Grayed out when showPlots is false

// ============================================================================
// CALCULATIONS
// ============================================================================

// Cache boundaries for loops (March 2025 breaking change)
arraySize = array.size(myArray)
for i = 0 to arraySize - 1
    // Process...

// ============================================================================
// CONDITIONS
// ============================================================================

// ============================================================================
// PLOTS
// ============================================================================

// Use new linestyle parameter (September 2025)
plot(ma, "MA", color.blue, linewidth=2, linestyle=plot.linestyle_solid)

// ============================================================================
// ALERTS
// ============================================================================

TradingView Constraints (2025 Updated)

Limits

Maximum 500 bars historical reference
Maximum 500 plot/hline/fill outputs
Maximum 64 drawing objects (label/line/box/table)
Maximum 40 security() calls
Maximum 100KB compiled script size
Tables: max 100 cells
Arrays: max 100,000 elements
Strings: max 40,960 characters (increased August 2025)
Scopes: Unlimited (removed February 2025)

Platform Quirks

bar_index starts at 0
na propagation in calculations
Historical vs real-time calculation differences
Strategy calculations on bar close (unless calc_on_every_tick)
bid/ask only available on 1T timeframe

Best Practices

Avoid Repainting

// Use barstate.isconfirmed for signals
if barstate.isconfirmed and buyCondition
    strategy.entry("Long", strategy.long)

// Proper request.security() usage
htfClose = request.security(syminfo.tickerid, "D", close,
    lookahead=barmerge.lookahead_off)

Performance Optimization

// Cache repeated calculations
sma20 = ta.sma(close, 20)
sma50 = ta.sma(close, 50)
crossUp = ta.crossover(sma20, sma50)

// Combine security() calls
[htfClose, htfHigh, htfLow] = request.security(syminfo.tickerid, "D",
    [close, high, low])

User Experience (Use 2025 Features)

// Input groups with active parameter
advancedMode = input.bool(false, "Advanced Mode", group="Settings")
advSetting = input.int(10, "Advanced Setting",
    group="Settings",
    active=advancedMode,  // July 2025 feature
    tooltip="Only visible in advanced mode")

Error Handling

// Check for na values
safeValue = na(value) ? 0 : value

// Handle division by zero
safeDiv = denominator != 0 ? numerator / denominator : 0

// Cache loop boundaries (March 2025 breaking change)
arrSize = array.size(arr)
for i = 0 to arrSize - 1
    // ...

Code Review Checklist

Architecture (Check First!)

[ ] Complex data uses UDT-first pattern
[ ] Drawing objects use xloc.bar_time (not bar_index)
[ ] Time values captured for historical drawing
[ ] Single UDT array instead of parallel arrays

Script Basics

[ ] //@version=6 declaration
[ ] //@strategy_alert_message {{strategy.order.alert_message}} for strategies (placed after the strategy() call)
[ ] Proper title and overlay setting

Inputs & UX

[ ] Inputs have tooltips and groups
[ ] Inputs use active parameter where appropriate
[ ] Using new plot linestyles where appropriate
[ ] Proper plot styling

Code Quality

[ ] No repainting issues
[ ] na values handled
[ ] Loop boundaries cached (March 2025 fix)
[ ] Efficient calculations
[ ] Clear variable names
[ ] Alert conditions if needed

Write code that is production-ready, efficient, and uses UDT-first architecture with the latest Pine Script v6 features.

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