mql4-sma/README.md

# Indicator sma

**Simple Moving Average indicator using KnitPkg packages**  
*MIT License*

---

## What is this?

Indicator `sma` is a **demonstration project** that showcases how to build a MetaTrader 4 indicator by consuming KnitPkg packages.

It implements a complete **Simple Moving Average (SMA) indicator**, and is meant to be an educational example of how to structure an indicator project, manage dependencies, and compile MQL4 code with KnitPkg. It is **not** meant to be a production-grade trading system.

## Prerequisites

To build and use this project, you will need:

1.  [**MetaTrader 4**](https://www.mql5.com/) installed.
2.  **KnitPkg CLI**: The KnitPkg package manager for MetaTrader. If you don't have it, you can install it by following the instructions in the [main KnitPkg repository](https://github.com/knitpkg-dev/knitpkg-mt.git).
3.  **KnitPkg homepage**: See [https://knitpkg.dev](https://knitpkg.dev) for an overview and [https://docs.knitpkg.dev](https://docs.knitpkg.dev) for documentation.

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## Features

- **Indicator type** (`type: indicator`) — a complete indicator project (not a package)
- **SMA demo** — Simple Moving Average indicator
- **Dependency installation** — uses the KnitPkg registry to resolve and download dependencies
- **Dependencies**
  - `@douglasrechia/calc` — SMA calculation utilities
- **MQL4 target** — designed for MetaTrader 4
- **Compile support** — `kp compile` builds the indicator into an `.ex4` binary

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## One-command download/build via the registry

You can use `kp get` to query the registry for metadata and automatically download/build the latest stable version.

Example (run from your MetaTrader *Data Folder* root if you have MetaTrader installed in more than one location):

```bash
cd "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\MetaQuotes\Terminal\<TERMINAL_ID>"

kp get mql4 @douglasrechia/sma
```

Restart MetaTrader afterward to refresh the Navigator.

---

## Exploring the project locally (optional)

If you want to explore how an indicator project is structured with KnitPkg, clone it into your MetaTrader `Indicators` folder.

### 1) Clone into MetaTrader `Indicators` folder (example)

```bash
# Go to your MetaTrader 'Indicators' directory.
# Tip: in MetaEditor, right-click the `Indicators` folder and choose "Open Folder".
cd "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\MetaQuotes\Terminal\<TERMINAL_ID>\MQL4\Indicators"

git clone https://forge.mql5.io/DouglasRechia/sma.git
cd sma
```

### 2) Install dependencies

```bash
kp install
```

### 3) Compile

```bash
kp compile
```

---

## License

This project is released under the **MIT License**. See `LICENSE` for details.

---

## Disclaimer

This code is provided **as-is**, for **educational purposes only**.  
No warranty (express or implied) is provided. Use at your own risk.