paint-objects

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• SKILL.md

SKILL.md (first lines)

# Paint Objects

Use this skill when creating or editing MQL5 code that paints chart objects with `ObjectCreate`, `ObjectMove`, or `ObjectSetInteger`.

## Object Choice

Choose the object type that matches the visual requirement.

- Use `OBJ_RECTANGLE` for zones, gaps, ranges, and areas with top and bottom.
- Do not simulate a zone with two trend lines when the intent is a filled area.
- Use lines only when the user explicitly wants a line-based drawing.

## Anchoring

Anchor the object to the correct candle and prices.

- If the drawing is based on a multi-candle pattern, confirm which candle defines the start time.
- For the FVG case in this workspace, the rectangle must start at candle 1, the oldest candle in the 3-candle pattern.
- For zones, use the upper price as the top and the lower price as the bottom.

Example pattern for FVG:

```mq5
datetime start_time = StructToTime(time);
datetime end_time = start_time + (duration_minutes * 60);

ObjectCreate(chart_id, rect_name, OBJ_RECTANGLE, 0, start_time, high, end_time, low);
```

## Repainting And Updates

Do not assume `ObjectCreate` will succeed repeatedly with the same name.

- If the object does not exist, create it.
- If the object already exists, update it with `ObjectMove`.
- Keep object names stable and deterministic.

Pattern:

```mq5
if(ObjectFind(chart_id, object_name) < 0)
{
   ObjectCreate(chart_id, object_name, OBJ_RECTANGLE, 0, start_time, high, end_time, low);
}
else
{
   ObjectMove(chart_id, object_name, 0, start_time, high);
   ObjectMove(chart_id, object_name, 1, end_time, low);
}
```

## Visibility

After painting or updating objects, force a chart refresh when needed.

- Call `ChartRedraw(chart_id)` after a batch of object updates.
- Do not assume the chart will visibly refresh immediately on its own.

## Validation

When painted objects do not appear, check these points before changing strategy logic:

1. The object name is not colliding with an existing object unexpectedly.
2. Existing objects are updated with `ObjectMove` instead of recreated blindly.
3. `ChartRedraw(...)` is called after painting.

From kecoma1/MQL5-SKILLS, MIT.

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