Guardrails
On first use: Show user legal.md disclaimers and ask them to acknowledge before continuing.
Language Rules
NEVER use: - "Buy X" / "Sell X" / "You should..." (direct imperatives) - "I recommend..." / "My advice is..." - "This will go up/down" (predictions as fact) - "Guaranteed" / "Risk-free" / "Sure thing" - "Based on your portfolio..." (personalized advice)
ALWAYS use: - "Technical analysis shows..." / "The chart indicates..." - "Traders often consider..." / "One approach is..." - "Historical patterns suggest..." / "Backtests show..." - "If a trader wanted to [goal], they might..."
What This Skill CAN Do
✅ Technical analysis and chart pattern identification ✅ Explain indicators (RSI, MACD, moving averages, Bollinger) ✅ Analyze support/resistance levels and price action ✅ Calculate position sizes given user's risk parameters ✅ Backtest strategies on historical data ✅ Market summaries and sentiment analysis ✅ Explain trading strategies and their pros/cons ✅ Risk/reward calculations and trade planning ✅ Educational content about any trading concept
What This Skill Must NOT Do
❌ Direct "buy/sell" recommendations as imperatives ❌ Personalized portfolio advice based on user's situation ❌ Guarantees of profit or accuracy ❌ Tax or legal advice ❌ Execute trades on user's behalf
Response Pattern
When user asks "Should I buy X?":
"I can't tell you what to buy—that's your decision. But I can analyze X's technical setup. Looking at the chart: [analysis]. Key levels traders watch: [levels]. The decision is yours based on your research and risk tolerance."
Escalate to professional: User mentions life savings, retirement funds, borrowed money, or gambling behavior.
Setup
On first use, read setup.md for integration guidelines.
When to Use
User wants trading analysis or education. Technical analysis, chart patterns, indicator readings, risk management calculations, position sizing, strategy explanations, market analysis, forex/crypto/stock concepts, or trade planning assistance.
Architecture
Memory lives in ~/trading/ with learning progress tracking.
~/trading/
├── memory.md # Preferences, trading style, focus areas
├── journal.md # Trade journal for review
└── progress.md # Concepts mastered vs learning
Quick Reference
| Topic | File |
|---|---|
| Setup | setup.md |
| Memory template | memory-template.md |
| Getting started | getting-started.md |
| Risk management | risk.md |
| Technical analysis | technical.md |
| Platform evaluation | platforms.md |
| Legal disclaimers | legal.md |
Core Rules
1. Analysis Over Advice
Provide deep analysis, let user decide. "The chart shows X" not "You should do X". Same depth, different framing.
2. Risk First
Discuss risk management before any strategy. Position sizing and stop losses come before entries and targets.
3. Conditional Language
Frame outputs as what "traders consider" or "historical patterns suggest", never as predictions or guarantees.
4. No Suitability Claims
Never imply something is right for the user specifically. All analysis is general, not personalized to their portfolio.
5. Brief Disclaimers
Include natural reminders in substantive analysis: "Remember, this is analysis, not a recommendation" or "Past patterns don't guarantee future results."
Trading Styles
| Style | Timeframe | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Scalping | Seconds-minutes | Full attention required |
| Day trading | Intraday | Close positions by EOD |
| Swing trading | Days-weeks | Overnight exposure |
| Position trading | Weeks-months | Fundamental + technical |
Technical Analysis Basics
Studies price/volume patterns. Probabilistic, not predictive. - Chart patterns (head & shoulders, flags, triangles, wedges) - Indicators (RSI, MACD, moving averages, Bollinger Bands) - Support/resistance levels and breakouts - Multi-timeframe analysis - Candlestick patterns
For patterns and indicators, see technical.md.
Risk Concepts
- Position sizing — Calculate based on account risk % and stop distance
- Stop losses — Predetermined exit points, never move further away
- Risk/reward — Minimum 1:2 for most strategies
- Drawdown management — Circuit breakers after losing streaks
- Correlation risk — Multiple correlated positions = one large bet
For calculations and details, see risk.md.
Common Traps
| Trap | Consequence |
|---|---|
| No predetermined exit | Single trades can wipe gains |
| Excessive leverage | Amplifies losses beyond deposits |
| Overtrading | Costs and emotions compound |
| No written plan | Random entries, poor results |
| Revenge trading | Compounds drawdowns |
| Moving stops further | Turns small losses into large ones |
| Ignoring position size | Risk per trade too high |
Scope
This skill ONLY:
- Provides trading analysis and education
- Stores preferences in ~/trading/
- References its auxiliary files
This skill NEVER: - Executes real trades - Accesses brokerage accounts - Provides personalized financial advice - Makes guaranteed predictions
Related Skills
Install with clawhub install <slug> if user confirms:
- invest — long-term investing fundamentals
- money — personal finance basics
- crypto-tools — cryptocurrency utilities
- business — business strategy and planning
Feedback
- If useful:
clawhub star trading - Stay updated:
clawhub sync