# Quick Start Guide

Use this page after the indicator is installed. If you use MT4, the product is AIMS Box Advanced Indicator. If you use MT5, the product is AIMS Box MT5.

If you are using MT4, also keep the [MT4 Guide](/indicators/aims-box/docs/mt4-guide.md) open. The MT4 version has a compact mini dashboard, while many screenshots in this guide show the fuller AIMS Confluence Indicator dashboard experience on MT5.

## Step 1: Open A Clean Chart[​](#step-1-open-a-clean-chart "Direct link to Step 1: Open A Clean Chart")

Start with one chart so setup is easy to check.

Recommended first setup:

* One symbol you already understand.
* One timeframe you normally watch.
* No extra indicators until the indicator is working.
* Enough chart history loaded to show recent box structures.

## Step 2: Add The Indicator[​](#step-2-add-the-indicator "Direct link to Step 2: Add The Indicator")

### MetaTrader 4[​](#metatrader-4 "Direct link to MetaTrader 4")

1. Press `Ctrl+N` to open Navigator.
2. Open `Indicators > iTradeAIMS`.
3. Drag AIMS Box Advanced Indicator onto the chart.
4. In the settings window, enter your license key if required.
5. Click `OK`.

### MetaTrader 5[​](#metatrader-5 "Direct link to MetaTrader 5")

1. Press `Ctrl+N` to open Navigator.
2. Open `Indicators > iTradeAIMS`.
3. Drag AIMS Box MT5 onto the chart.
4. In the settings window, enter your license key if required.
5. Click `OK`.

## Step 3: Confirm It Is Running[​](#step-3-confirm-it-is-running "Direct link to Step 3: Confirm It Is Running")

Check:

* The indicator name appears on the chart.
* The MT4 mini dashboard is visible if **Show Minimal Dashboard** or the equivalent dashboard visibility setting is enabled.
* On MT5, the `Box` tab or Box mode is selected when you want AIMS Box information.
* Box zones or levels appear after the chart has enough candles.
* There is no license error on the chart.
* The Experts or Alerts tab does not show a repeated setup error.

![AIMS Confluence Indicator dashboard showing Setup 1 ready state and box zones on the chart](/img/aims-box-advanced/aims-box-setup-1-signal.png)

Example of the AIMS Confluence Indicator dashboard in Box mode showing a ready setup state and visible AIMS Box zones.

![AIMS Box on TradingView — Setup 1 Ready with grey box and BuyStop reference](/img/indicators/aims-box/tradingview/setup-1-ready-chart.png)

TradingView — \*\*Setup 1 · Ready\*\* on a clean chart (MT5 users see the same lifecycle on the Box tab).

## Step 4: Understand The Box State[​](#step-4-understand-the-box-state "Direct link to Step 4: Understand The Box State")

The dashboard can show states such as:

* `Setup 1`: a candidate setup is forming or ready for review.
* `Setup 2`: a different setup type is ready for review.
* `Closed break`: price has closed beyond the relevant box level.
* `Blocked`: a filter or risk condition does not allow the setup.

Read these states as chart information. They are not automatic trade instructions.

## Step 5: Review The Box Before Acting[​](#step-5-review-the-box-before-acting "Direct link to Step 5: Review The Box Before Acting")

When a setup appears:

1. Wait for the relevant candle to close.
2. Check the upper and lower AIMS Box levels.
3. Check whether the box is tight enough for your risk plan.
4. Check Gator, Purple, ATR Box, spread, session, and news context.
5. Decide whether the setup matches your plan.

## Step 6: Keep Settings Simple At First[​](#step-6-keep-settings-simple-at-first "Direct link to Step 6: Keep Settings Simple At First")

For the first few sessions, avoid changing advanced filters.

Begin with:

* **Boxes** or **Show Boxes**: on.
* **Show Active Box Signal Levels** or **Signal Levels**: on if you want level references.
* **Gator Filter**: on unless support or your tested plan says otherwise.
* **Purple Filter**: on unless support or your tested plan says otherwise.
* **ATR Box Filter**: on if you want tall boxes blocked by setup logic.
* Popup alerts only, if your platform version exposes alert controls and you are watching the chart.

## Step 7: If Something Looks Wrong[​](#step-7-if-something-looks-wrong "Direct link to Step 7: If Something Looks Wrong")

Use this order:

1. Check [Troubleshooting](/indicators/aims-box/docs/support/troubleshooting.md).
2. Restart or refresh MetaTrader.
3. Confirm the install folder and license details.
4. Try one clean chart.
5. Contact support with platform, broker, symbol, timeframe, and screenshots.

## Risk Reminder[​](#risk-reminder "Direct link to Risk Reminder")

The indicator shows chart information. You decide whether to trade, where to place risk, and when to stand aside.