# Confluence Status Model

Confluence uses **plain-language lifecycle states** plus **quality tiers**. You see both *what stage the setup is in* and *how much to trust the read*.

This vocabulary is **different** from Box tab labels (`Setup 1`, `Closed break`, `Blocked`). Box states describe structure; confluence states describe **combined alignment**.

## Lifecycle states[​](#lifecycle-states "Direct link to Lifecycle states")

| Status        | Typical meaning                                                                                                                                      |
| ------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **WAIT**      | A required product is missing, not live, or a blocker is present (filter fail, incomplete structure, product not on chart).                          |
| **ARMED**     | Context is aligned enough to watch — for example Setup 1 is ready but the breakout has not fired, or Banana is still waiting while wave + box agree. |
| **TRIGGERED** | A confluence event fired on completed structure — for example breakout confirmation that passes cross-layer rules.                                   |

### Example read (illustrative)[​](#example-read-illustrative "Direct link to Example read (illustrative)")

| Field         | Example | Notes                                                  |
| ------------- | ------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| Status        | ARMED   | Setup is ready; breakout not fired yet                 |
| Quality       | CAUTION | Usable, but reward to next wave target may be under 2R |
| Direction     | Buy     | Wave and box both point up                             |
| Wave / target | Wave 4  | Pullback phase; room toward next target                |
| Box / reason  | Ready   | Setup 1 passed; box height within limits               |
| Banana trend  | Waiting | No Banana pullback signal yet                          |
| What's next   | Watch   | Review before acting — waiting on Banana               |

Your live dashboard shows actual values for the symbol and timeframe on the chart.

![Live MT5 dashboard example with Setup 1 Confluence status ARMED](/img/indicators/confluence/mt5/wave-context/setup-1-confluence-armed-dashboard.png)

Illustrative \*\*ARMED\*\* read — Box + wave context aligned; breakout may still be pending.

## Quality tiers[​](#quality-tiers "Direct link to Quality tiers")

Quality sits **beside** lifecycle status:

| Tier        | How to use it                                                                                                     |
| ----------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **HIGH**    | Strong alignment across structure, box lifecycle, and confirming filters. Still review risk — not an auto-entry.  |
| **CAUTION** | Valid context with a downgrade reason — extension risk, marginal reward to target, mixed Banana read, or similar. |
| **AVOID**   | Cross-layer rules flag poor alignment — treat as stand-aside unless your plan explicitly handles edge cases.      |

Example: **VALID** on the Banana tab with **AVOID** on Banana Confluence when wave context and Bubble timing disagree — [chart walkthrough](/indicators/confluence/docs/features/chart-examples.md#valid-on-the-tab-avoid-on-confluence). | **UNKNOWN** | Insufficient data — missing product, stale read, or structure not yet complete. |

Quality is not a win rate

Tiers encode **method alignment** on completed structure. They do not predict profit or replace stop placement and position sizing.

## How this maps to Box tab states[​](#how-this-maps-to-box-tab-states "Direct link to How this maps to Box tab states")

| Box tab (component)             | Confluence layer (combined)                                                  |
| ------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Setup 1 forming                 | May show WAIT or ARMED until fractals confirm                                |
| Setup 1 · READY                 | Often ARMED with quality tier; TRIGGERED after confirmed breakout rules fire |
| Closed break                    | May move toward TRIGGERED if wave + filters agree                            |
| Blocked (tall box, filter fail) | Usually WAIT or AVOID — confluence should not override a block               |

If the chart shows momentum arrows but the dashboard says **BLOCKED** on the Box tab, trust the **filter block** until context clears. See [AIMS Box blocked example](/indicators/aims-box/docs/strategy-foundation/aims-box-rules.md#box-height-and-risk).

## Missing products[​](#missing-products "Direct link to Missing products")

Confluence sections stay visible when a product is not attached. Fields may show **WAIT** or **—** with an explanation (for example Bubble not on chart). Attach more indicators to enrich the read — start with **Wave + Box**, add **Banana** and **Bubble** when you want those layers.

## Alerts[​](#alerts "Direct link to Alerts")

Confluence **alerts are opt-in** and off by default. When enabled, they can notify you on selected transitions (for example ARMED → TRIGGERED). Alerts are nudges to **review** the dashboard — not trade execution.

Configure alerts only after you understand default dashboard behavior. Platform alert paths for Banana alone are documented under [Banana MT5 alerts](/indicators/banana/docs/mt5/alerts.md).

## Related[​](#related "Direct link to Related")

* [How confluence works](/indicators/confluence/docs/strategy-foundation/how-confluence-works.md)
* [Confluence reads](/indicators/confluence/docs/features/confluence-reads.md)
* [Chart examples](/indicators/confluence/docs/features/chart-examples.md)
* [Quick start](/indicators/confluence/docs/quick-start.md)