Adding Screenshots and Notes

Screenshots and notes are powerful tools for documenting your trading decisions and market context. Visual records help you remember exactly what you saw when you entered a trade, making it easier to review your decision-making process and learn from both wins and losses.

Why Screenshots Matter

• Capture the exact market conditions at entry and exit
• Document chart patterns and technical setups
• Review your analysis months or years later
• Share trades with mentors or trading communities
• Build a visual library of successful setups

Upload Methods

1. Open the trade you want to add screenshots to
2. Click the "Add Screenshot" button or drag and drop images
3. Select images from your computer (PNG, JPG, or GIF)
4. Add a caption to describe what the screenshot shows
5. Click "Upload" to attach the image to your trade

Screenshot Best Practices

• Capture Multiple Timeframes: Include both your entry timeframe and higher timeframes for context
• Mark Key Levels: Draw lines on your charts to highlight support, resistance, and entry points
• Include Indicators: Show the indicators you used for your decision
• Take Entry and Exit Shots: Document both when you enter and when you exit
• Use Annotations: Add arrows, text, or circles to highlight important features
• Keep File Sizes Reasonable: Compress large images to save storage space

What to Screenshot

• Your entry chart with indicators and levels marked
• Higher timeframe context (daily/weekly if you trade intraday)
• Your exit chart showing how the trade played out
• Order confirmation from your broker
• News or economic calendar if relevant to the trade
• Your trading plan or checklist for that trade

Pre-Trade Notes

Write these BEFORE entering the trade:

• Setup Description: What pattern or signal did you see?
• Entry Reason: Why are you taking this trade?
• Market Context: What's happening in the broader market?
• Risk Assessment: What could go wrong?
• Trade Plan: Entry, stop loss, targets, and management rules
• Confidence Level: How strong is this setup?

During-Trade Notes

Update these as the trade progresses:

• Price Action: How is the trade moving?
• Emotional State: How are you feeling about the position?
• Management Decisions: Did you adjust stops or take partials?
• New Information: Any news or events affecting the trade?
• Temptations: Any urges to exit early or hold too long?

Post-Trade Notes

Write these AFTER closing the trade:

• Exit Reason: Why did you close the position?
• What Worked: What did you do right?
• What Didn't Work: What could you improve?
• Lessons Learned: Key takeaways from this trade
• Emotional Review: How did you handle the stress?
• Plan Adherence: Did you follow your rules?

Simple Template

Detailed Template

• Use Descriptive Captions: Label screenshots clearly (e.g., "Entry - 15min chart", "Exit - Daily context")
• Create Folders: Organize screenshots by strategy, asset, or time period
• Tag Your Notes: Use consistent tags like #breakout, #mistake, #perfectexecution
• Link Related Trades: Reference similar trades in your notes
• Use Voice Notes: Record audio notes immediately after trades for authenticity
• Review Weekly: Set aside time to review and enhance your notes
• Backup Regularly: Export your journal data including images periodically

• Adding Notes Too Late: Write notes immediately while details are fresh
• Being Too Brief: "Good trade" isn't helpful. Explain WHY it was good
• Only Documenting Wins: Losses often teach more than wins
• Hiding Mistakes: Be honest about errors for genuine improvement
• No Screenshots: Memory fades; visual records don't
• Inconsistent Format: Use templates for easier review later
• Skipping Emotions: Psychological factors are crucial to track