# Core Settings This page explains the settings most traders are likely to touch. Leave advanced settings unchanged until you understand what each change does. If your chart becomes confusing, return to defaults and start again. ## Platform Note[​](#platform-note "Direct link to Platform Note") MT4 and MT5 share the same AIMS Box idea, but they do not expose the same dashboard surface. * MT4 uses a compact mini dashboard on the chart. * MT5 uses the wider AIMS Confluence Indicator dashboard and can expose more controls, alerts, and confluence context. If you use MT4, read this page together with the [MT4 Guide](/indicators/aims-box/docs/mt4-guide.md). ## MT5 indicator inputs (AIMSBoxAdvancedMT5)[​](#mt5-indicator-inputs-aimsboxadvancedmt5 "Direct link to MT5 indicator inputs (AIMSBoxAdvancedMT5)") On MT5, open **Indicators List → AIMSBoxAdvancedMT5 → Properties → Inputs**. Labels match **AIMSBoxAdvancedMT5** on chart (for example GER40, M1). ![AIMSBoxAdvancedMT5 MT5 Inputs tab — Box Core, Visual Settings, Higher Timeframe Levels, and Signal Filter State](/img/indicators/aims-box/mt5/mt5-inputs-settings-1.png) \*\*Inputs\*\* (top) — box core, visuals, HTF levels, and signal level display. ![AIMSBoxAdvancedMT5 MT5 Inputs tab — Alert Settings, Gator Filter, Purple Filter, and Debug](/img/indicators/aims-box/mt5/mt5-inputs-settings-2.png) \*\*Inputs\*\* (lower) — alerts, Gator, Purple, and advanced diagnostic toggles. ## License[​](#license "Direct link to License") ### SerialKey[​](#serialkey "Direct link to SerialKey") MetaTrader versions use a license key input for license validation when a key is required. On current MT4 builds, the visible input is **SerialKey**. Enter the key exactly as issued. Avoid extra spaces before or after the key. If the key is rejected: 1. Check spelling and spacing. 2. Confirm internet access. 3. Remove and reattach the indicator. 4. Contact support if the message remains. ## MT4 Mini Dashboard[​](#mt4-mini-dashboard "Direct link to MT4 Mini Dashboard") The MT4 version can show a compact dashboard with rows for: * **Active Signals** * **Current Signal** * **Entry** * **SL** * **TP** * **Risk** * **Reward** * **Real-Time Statistics** * **Avg Size** * **Last Box** Some MT4 builds also expose dashboard buttons such as **Purple**, **Gator**, **Theme**, and **Boxes**. Use **Boxes** to show or hide grey box zones. Use **Gator** and **Purple** to show or hide those chart references when available. These controls change visibility only. They do not change box calculation or setup evaluation. ## AIMS Confluence Indicator Dashboard Mode[​](#aims-confluence-indicator-dashboard-mode "Direct link to AIMS Confluence Indicator Dashboard Mode") The dashboard can include product tabs such as `Banana` and `Box`. Use `Box` mode when you want to review AIMS Box information. ![AIMS Confluence Indicator dashboard with Box tab, settings, scale, and theme controls](/img/aims-box-advanced/aims-box-dashboard-settings.png) The dashboard can expose Box mode, filter toggles, scale controls, theme choices, and restore-defaults controls. For the live **Settings → GUI** panel on MT5, see [Unified dashboard](/indicators/confluence/docs/features/unified-dashboard.md#settings--gui) (suite dashboard — not the Box indicator inputs above). ## Display Controls[​](#display-controls "Direct link to Display Controls") Common AIMS Confluence Indicator dashboard controls include: ``` Show Boxes Signal Levels ``` Use `Show Boxes` to show or hide the grey box zones. Use `Signal Levels` to show or hide entry and stop reference lines displayed by the indicator. These settings change chart visibility. They do not make a setup stronger or weaker. ## Filters[​](#filters "Direct link to Filters") Common visible filters include: ``` Gator Filter Purple Filter ATR Box Filter ``` ### Gator Filter[​](#gator-filter "Direct link to Gator Filter") The Gator filter checks trend context using the AIMS Gator or Alligator-style structure. In the Inputs tab, current builds use **Use Gator Setup Filter** for this setting. Leave it on while learning unless support or your tested plan says otherwise. No standalone Gator on TradingView **Gator** is a **MetaTrader Box filter** (compression / Alligator-style context). It appears on the MT4 mini-dashboard and MT5 **Box** tab. On TradingView **AIMS Box Advanced**, Gator lines can be visible on chart; on **AIMS Box PRO**, Gator/Purple bias usually runs invisible. See [TradingView editions](/indicators/aims-box/docs/tradingview.md). ![AIMS Box Advanced MT4 dashboard with the Gator button selected and Gator lines hidden from the chart](/img/aims-box-advanced/aims-box-advanced-mt4-gator-button-off.png) The MT4 \*\*Gator\*\* button can hide or show the Gator lines without changing the underlying chart review workflow. ### Purple Filter[​](#purple-filter "Direct link to Purple Filter") The Purple filter checks the relationship between the setup and the Purple line context. In the Inputs tab, current builds use **Require Purple/Gator Direction** for this setting. Leave it on while learning unless support or your tested plan says otherwise. ![AIMS Box Advanced MT4 dashboard with the Purple button selected and the Purple line hidden from the chart](/img/aims-box-advanced/aims-box-advanced-mt4-purple-button-off.png) The MT4 \*\*Purple\*\* button can hide or show the Purple line when that control is available. ### ATR Box Filter[​](#atr-box-filter "Direct link to ATR Box Filter") The ATR Box filter helps block boxes that are too tall relative to recent volatility. This is useful because tall boxes usually require wider stop distances. ## Market State[​](#market-state "Direct link to Market State") The AIMS Confluence Indicator dashboard can show: * `Session` * `Spread` * `ATR(14) / ADR(20)` * `Volatility` * `Trend` * Upcoming news status Use these as context. A dashboard state is not a command to buy or sell. ## Alerts[​](#alerts "Direct link to Alerts") Current MT5 builds can include popup alert controls such as: * **Alert Setup Ready** * **Alert Live Break** * **Alert Closed Breakout** Start with setup-ready alerts only. Add live-break or closed-breakout alerts after you understand which setup state you want to review. Current MT4 builds focus on chart zones, active levels, and the mini dashboard. Do not expect the MT5 popup alert inputs to appear in MT4. ## GUI Settings[​](#gui-settings "Direct link to GUI Settings") Some MT5 versions include dashboard GUI controls: * Scale: `S`, `M`, `L`, or `Screen`. * Theme: `System`, `Light`, or `Dark`. * Restore Defaults. Use these to make the panel readable. They do not change the box calculation. ## Safe Setup Routine[​](#safe-setup-routine "Direct link to Safe Setup Routine") When changing settings: 1. Change one setting at a time. 2. Write down what you changed. 3. Watch a few setups before changing another setting. 4. Return to defaults if the chart becomes confusing. 5. Save a chart template only after the chart looks correct.