To understand the Tactical Sniper Engine, you have to see it as a "Semi-Automated Striker." While the Core Engine (Aegis) harvests rent at a slow pace, the Tactical Engine is built for high-velocity momentum.
1. The Core Logic: The 3 "Sniper" Patterns
The Tactical Engine is hard-coded to recognize three specific institutional patterns. It doesn't guess; it calculates price-action "probability scores."
🌅 ORB (Opening Range Breakout)
- Window: 09:35 – 10:00 AM ET
- Logic: Defines the "Opening Range" (first 15-30 mins). Breaks above high on high volume signal trend.
- Scoring: High if Volume > 1.5x Avg and VIX is elevated.
🧹 SWEEP (Liquidity Sweep Trap)
- Window: 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM ET
- Logic: Looks for a "Fake Move." Dips below previous low + RSI strength (divergence) = Stop Hunt.
- Scoring: High if price at extreme but RSI bottomed out.
⚖️ REVERSAL (Institutional Mean Reversion)
- Window: 10:45 AM – 11:30 AM ET
- Logic: Measures distance from **VWAP**. Far from fair value + overextended RSI (>70/<30) = Snap-back.
- Scoring: Higher score based on Deviation from VWAP and RSI intensity.
2. The Settings: What governs the Engine?
- tactical_mode (ON/OFF): This is your **ARM** switch. The engine will **never** trade unless this is `ON`.
- tactical_strategy: You tell the engine which specific tactic (ORB/SWEEP/REVERSAL) to hunt for.
- vix_gate (≥ 20): Hardcoded protection. If VIX < 20, execution is disabled even if ARMED.
- daily_trade_limit (1 Trade): Prevents revenge trading. The engine locks itself after the first execution.
3. Manual vs. Automatic: The Handshake
This is where the Process > Emotion principle lives.
🤖 What is AUTOMATIC (The Machine)
- Sniper Radar Scanning: Scans SPY every 5 mins and populates the UI.
- Safety Checklist: Automatically verifies VIX and Time Windows.
- Scoring: Math-based confidence scores (0-100%).
- Trade Execution: Handles entry, spread selection, and micros-second ordering.
👤 What is MANUAL (Your Job)
- Checklist Verification: You verify Pattern, Structure, and Mindset.
- The ARM Switch: The final "Man in the Loop" permission.
- Strategy Selection: Choosing the right tool for the day's vibe.
4. When is it ENABLED?
The engine only lives when **four stars align**:
VIX ≥ 20
Time Window Open
Zero Trades Done
Checklist Satisfied
Pro-Tip: Use the Radar widget as your alarm. If it turns Yellow (READY) or Green (HIGH), open the dashboard, verify, and flip the ARM switch to ON.
5. The Daily Protocol: What should I do every morning?
Follow these 4 steps exactly to execute as a professional "Man in the Loop."
Step 1: Monitor (09:35 – 09:45 AM ET)
Open the Aegis Terminal and watch the Sniper Radar. Wait for it to turn Yellow (READY) or Green (HIGH).
Step 2: Selection & Validation
Once a signal hits, select the corresponding strategy (e.g., ORB) from the dropdown. Verify the chart shows a clean breakout and VIX is ≥ 20.
Step 3: Checklist Commitment
Manually verify the 5-point Go/No-Go Checklist on the dashboard. You must satisfy all five to unlock the engine.
Step 4: The Final ARM
Flip the TACTICAL MODE switch to ON (ARMED). The machine will instantly fire the order and manage the exit targets automatically.