> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.hydravision.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.hydravision.ai/ea-configuration/ea-settings/quick-start.md).
# Quick Start
Access to important or frequently changed settings
### Core Settings and Functions
Private Key
The Private Key generated in your dashboard. Must be added for live trading or when generating a backtest token.
Generate a Backtest Token for this account
Use of Strategy Tester requires a valid backtest token, which can be generated after the account to be tested on has been added in your dashboard.
Set to true and add your Private Key above. Attach the EA to a chart and if your account is authorised, a token will be generated with the correct entitlements and in accordance with your licence expiry.
You will need a valid token for every account you are going to test on.
When the Strategy Tester asks for a new token, generate one the same way. A token only works for the account and broker server it was generated on.
Magic Number
A unique integer used internally by the EA to identify trades it has placed. Will also be used by analytics tools and platforms to identify the EA's trades along with Grid UIDs.
Ideally every EA you use should have its own unique Magic Number. If you are trading multiple assets on the same account, you can also use different Magic Numbers to give you additional analytical capabilities (optional).
Command (see docs)
`String`
Default: ""
Send an operational command to Hydra Vision to change the running mode.
See full documentation [here](/ea-configuration/getting-started/chart-commands.md)
If remote commands are enabled on your licence, you can also send these commands, and close grids, from **Controls** on the **Agents** page in your customer portal.
### Strategy and sizing
Hydra Vision is a framework EA that has pre-configured strategies, which can be optimised for different assets and risk tolerances.
{% hint style="success" %}
We recommend watching our strategy education videos on YouTube to get a better understanding of their intentions and core strengths/weaknesses.
{% endhint %}
PCL Strategy
`Enumerator`
Default: Hunter - Curate to single non-anchor position
1. **Hunter** - Curates to a single non-anchor position
2. **Multi Trail** - Uses dynamic PCL to compact the grid to set up multiple positions for trailing
3. **Bounce** - Preserves the Anchor positions, trailing the Frontier positions on retrace
4. **Frontier** - Utilises Whole grid PCL, retaining the Frontier position as a profit position for trailing - Maximum steps for Whole Grid PCL can be limited before compaction (Dynamic PCL). Fine tune under PCL
5. **Turn off Dynamic PCL** - No PCL strategy is applied: the grid closes only through Whole Grid PCL, like a standard grid system. Dynamic PCL is ignored, and Whole Grid PCL must be enabled
Read the [Strategy](https://help.hydravision.ai/concepts/) help for more detail
Grid Strategy
`Enumerator`
Default: Dynamic
A primary decision to make when using Hydra Vision is what type of grid to use. This can make a huge difference to PCL and Margin requirements.
1. [**Dynamic**](/concepts/concepts/dynamic-grids.md) - Re-entry positions are opened dynamically based on the SmartEntry veto system. Positions are never closer than the minimum spacing (see [Minimum Step Size](#minimum-step-size)).
2. **Every Step** - The traditional method of grid systems, where a new position is opened every X price points (the Minimum Step Size). Also called a Fixed grid.
3. **Step with Increasing distance** - A fixed grid that starts with a tighter step size and each new position increases by X price points.
4. **Step with Decreasing distance** - A fixed grid that starts with a larger step size and each new position decreases by X price points.
Minimum Step Size
`Double`
Default: 20.00
The minimum Step size of a grid position, expressed in market units (example pips, cents etc).
On Every Step grids, and on Dynamic grids using the Fixed Step Re-Entry Spacing Mode, every new position is at least one Minimum Step Size from the last. Positions in the Static Zone always use the Minimum Step Size.
When an ATR based Re-Entry Spacing Mode is selected on a Dynamic grid, the spacing follows ATR and is never tighter than Safety: min spacing (x Step Size) x Minimum Step Size. At the default of 1 that is one full Minimum Step Size; a value below 1 allows tighter spacing.
Step with Increasing/Decreasing distance grids use Minimum Step (Inc/Dec) and Maximum Step (Inc/Dec) instead (see [Grid](/ea-configuration/ea-settings/grid.md)). Minimum Step Size is shown when Grid Strategy is Dynamic or Every Step.
Vol Calc Step Size >= Step Size
`Double`
Default: 20.00
Volume is always calculated dynamically. The default behaviour would be to leave this setting to be the same as the step size, meaning your position strategy maintains proportionate volume distribution for each step (example 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25 and so on).
When increasing the Vol Calc Step Size, Hydra creates a 'virtual' step size against which to calculate volume. So if Step Size is 20 and Vol Calc Step Size is 60, we are effectively decreasing our volume load by 3x, so we can end up with 0.1, 0.1, 0.1, 0.15, 0.15 etc.
This is a good approach for [multi trailing](/concepts/concepts/multi-trailing.md) type strategies or assets that have 'larger moves' but strong retrace potential.
Volume Weight
`Enumerator`
Default: Incremental
Determines how Volume will be calculated for the selected grid strategy.
1. **Fixed Volume** - Every position will have the same volume applied
2. **Incremental** - Each new position will increase in volume by a pre-configured load
3. **Power Volume** - Each new position will have a power curve (set by the Power Exponent) applied to increase volume
4. **Martingale** - The fabled position doubling strategy, where each position will be double the previous position. *Highly risky and not advised*. We have added this for completeness. It is important to note that this should ONLY ever be used on fixed grids, with no dynamic behaviour. Martingale in a dynamic environment can be extremely dangerous, so Hydra Vision does not allow it: the portal will not save a setfile with Martingale on a Dynamic grid, and the EA will not start with one.
Volume Precision Application
`Enumerator`
Default: Incremental grid volume
This is the equivalent of Grid Strategy for volume
1. **Incremental grid volume** - Each successive position will have an increasing volume applied
2. **Fixed vol to Start - switch to Inc** - The grid will have X positions (configurable) with fixed volume, after which an incremental strategy will be applied. A useful volume strategy for [multi trailing ](/concepts/concepts/multi-trailing.md)grids.
3. **Zone based Incremental pricing** - Every position in a 'Zone' (see separate help on [Zones](/concepts/concepts/zones.md)) will have the same volume applied (it's a grouping strategy)
4. **Dynamic Volume to Fixed Retrace** - Used with Dynamic PCL. Incremental volume will be calculated to force a PCL closure on a fixed price retrace (retrace configurable). Set the [Max price to retrace](#max-price-to-retrace)
Starting Volume
`Double`
Default: 0.01
The starting volume of the grid - This is the Anchor volume. All incremental volume in a grid is dynamically calculated off Starting volume. Even when the Anchor has been removed by PCL, the persistence will retain this reference volume (and price).
Volume Increment
`Double`
Default: 0.01
The base volume used to determine any incremental volume calculation. Should always be equal to or less than the starting volume. Incremental volume is applied in addition to the Starting volume
Max price to retrace
`Double`
Default: 20
Used in conjunction with [Dynamic Volume to Fixed Retrace](#volume-precision-application).
For example if trading forex and set to 20 pips, positions are sized to realise a PCL closure within 20 pips (excluding the profit target). \* There are scenarios where the volume will go out of balance with the grid scaling due to advanced PCL strategies. Test before using so the method is well understood first
Power Exponent
`Double`
Default: 1.5
If using a Power based volume weighting, set this exponent to calculate your volume curve. Anything above 1.1 works, and generally 1.3-1.5 is a suitable increase without being overly aggressive. If you are a fan of Martingale, this scaling is less aggressive and may be a better alternative for you
Martingale Multiplier
`Double`
Default: 2.0
If using a Martingale based volume weight. The industry norm is a doubling which would equate to 2, however many traders have used lower multipliers successfully such as 1.6. For risk reasons it cannot be above 2.