Blog
Order flow, platform setup and prop firm rules, written from the chart, not from a keyword list. Every article names its author and carries a visible publication date.
by Ulrich Grübler11 min readEvery Volume Tool in ATAS X ExplainedA walkthrough of every volume tool in ATAS X: the Volume Profile and TPO indicator, four profile drawing tools, and the Volume, Delta, CVD and VSA indicators.
by Phil Wasmuth5 min readATAS X Templates and Workspaces: Save, Load, ExportATAS X templates and workspaces: how to save and load chart templates, export and import a workspace, and how to bring a Classic setup into ATAS X.
by Phil Wasmuth4 min readHow to Use ATAS: A Beginner's Guide to the PlatformHow to use ATAS as a beginner: install the platform, connect data, build your first chart, read the footprint, practice in Replay and journal your trades.
by Ulrich Grübler19 min readWhat is gamma exposure (GEX) and how does it move ES and NQ futures?Gamma exposure (GEX) explained for futures traders: how dealer hedging moves ES and NQ, positive vs. negative gamma, call and put walls, vanna, charm and 0DTE, plus every options indicator in ATAS X.
by Ulrich Grübler3 min readATAS MBO Bundle becomes a paid add-on: how to keep it at no extra costThe ATAS MBO Bundle (Iceberg Tracker, Stop Runs Tracker, Sweeps Tracker) becomes a paid add-on to the Ultra plan around the end of November 2026. Who keeps it at no extra cost and what to do now.
by Phil Wasmuth14 min readFutures Trading Journal: What to Track and How to ReviewA futures trading journal guide: what to log per trade (contract, tick value, fees, MAE/MFE, prop rules), which stats to review and how to import trades.
by Ulrich Grübler7 min readHow to Build Indicators in ATAS: A C# Guide for ATAS and ATAS XBuild a custom ATAS indicator in C#: class library setup, OnCalculate, data series, settings, OnRender drawing, ATAS X notes and how to load the DLL.
by Ulrich Grübler8 min readOptions Tools in ATAS: Options Chain vs. Options X-Ray and Which to UseEvery options tool in ATAS explained: the Options Chain and Options X-Ray suites, Option Board, data feeds, plans, and which tool answers which question.
by Ulrich Grübler8 min readATAS Options Data Feed and Open Interest: What the Indicators Really ReadWhich data feed the ATAS options tools need, which values they read or calculate, and five open interest problems that change GEX, walls and max pain.
by Ulrich Grübler6 min readATAS Options GEX Profile: Gamma Exposure on Your Futures ChartHow the ATAS Options GEX Profile works: which gamma values it uses, Day Volume vs. open interest, zero gamma, walls, overlays and the limits of the model.
by Ulrich Grübler5 min readATAS Options Key Levels: Max Pain, Call Wall and Put WallHow ATAS Options Key Levels calculates max pain, call wall, put wall and volume levels from open interest, and how to read them on ES, NQ or CL charts.
by Ulrich Grübler5 min readATAS Options OI Profile: Open Interest by Strike on Your ChartThe ATAS Options OI Profile explained: open interest, day volume and net OI by strike, the put/call ratio, settings, and what open interest cannot show.
by Ulrich Grübler5 min readATAS Expected Move: Options Chain vs. Options X-Ray ExplainedHow the two ATAS Expected Move indicators work: implied volatility, straddle fallback, cone vs. corridor, sigma bands, 0DTE narrowing and expiration times.
by Ulrich Grübler5 min readATAS Option Board and Options Strategy Analyzer: How to Use ThemHow to use the ATAS Option Board and the Options Strategy Analyzer: connection, series, Greeks, strike filters, P&L at expiration and scenario modeling.
by Ulrich Grübler5 min readATAS Options X-Ray Key Levels: Walls, Slippery Zone, Flip and PinOptions X-Ray Key Levels in ATAS explained: call and put wall zones, the slippery zone, the regime flip and the 0DTE pin, updated every minute on ES.
by Ulrich Grübler5 min readATAS Options X-Ray GEX Heatmap and Surface Profile ExplainedHow the ATAS Options X-Ray GEX Heatmap and Surface Profile show damping and amplifying zones on ES, what the forecast part means, and where the model ends.
by Ulrich Grübler6 min readATAS Options X-Ray Strike Profile and Strike Heatmap: Who Holds the RiskOptions X-Ray Strike Profile and Strike Heatmap in ATAS: positions by strike and participant group, GEX/DEX/VEX/CEX modes, and how far dealer data goes.
by Ulrich Grübler6 min readATAS Options X-Ray Flow, Flow Delta and Big Trades ExplainedHow Options X-Ray Flow, Flow Delta and Big Trades show SPX options activity by participant group on the ES chart, and how to read net vs. repositioned.
by Ulrich Grübler5 min readATAS Options X-Ray Charm Heatmap: Time Decay Hedging on ESThe ATAS Options X-Ray Charm Heatmap explained: why time decay forces market maker hedge changes, how to read buy and sell zones, and why it is a forecast.
by Ulrich Grübler5 min readATAS Options X-Ray Hedge Pressure: Market Maker Delta Since the OpenHow Options X-Ray Hedge Pressure tracks the change in market maker delta in SPX options since the session start, its two parts, and how to read it on ES.
by Ulrich Grübler5 min readATAS Options X-Ray Market State: The Options Summary PanelOptions X-Ray Market State in ATAS explained: Backdrop, Impulse, Decay, Room and Price, the confidence labels, the history strips and how to use the panel.
by Ulrich Grübler24 min readATAS X Masterclass: The Complete Setup and Workspace TutorialATAS X masterclass in writing: plan and download, data connection, common settings, chart, footprint, heatmap, volume profile, execution and saving your workspace.
by Ulrich Grübler7 min readPFT Terminal vs. TradeZella, Edgewonk and TradesViz: A Comparison for ATAS TradersHow PFT Terminal compares to TradeZella, Edgewonk and TradesViz on ATAS import, live trade capture, screenshots, voice notes and AI access. Checked October 2026.
by Ulrich Grübler9 min readMCP Trading Journal: Let Claude or ChatGPT Read Your TradesConnect Claude or ChatGPT to your trading journal over MCP. What an AI can read from PFT-EdgeBook, what it cannot, and the questions it answers.
by Ulrich Grübler10 min readATAS X Setup: How to Set Up ATAS X in Under 30 MinutesATAS X setup for beginners: set up ATAS X in under 30 minutes, from the right plan and data connection to footprint, CVD, heatmap and a free workspace download.
by Phil Wasmuth5 min readThe Prop Firm Consistency Rule ExplainedThe prop firm consistency rule explained for futures traders: how the best-day cap is calculated, the current Topstep and Apex Trader Funding percentages, and what happens if you fail it.
by Phil Wasmuth5 min readEnd-of-Day vs. Intraday Trailing Drawdown ExplainedEnd-of-day trailing drawdown vs. intraday trailing drawdown in futures prop firms: how each floor moves, why the difference matters mid-session, and how Topstep and Apex apply them.
by Phil Wasmuth5 min readTopstep vs. Apex Trader Funding: Rules ComparedTopstep vs. Apex Trader Funding compared for futures traders: evaluation model, consistency rule, drawdown type, overnight rules and trading-day requirements, as of September 2026.
by Phil Wasmuth6 min readWhat Is Order Flow Trading? A Guide for ES and NQOrder flow trading explained for ES and NQ futures: aggressive vs. passive orders, the tape, DOM, footprint and delta, and how traders read them in context.
by Phil Wasmuth5 min readCumulative Volume Delta (CVD) ExplainedCumulative volume delta explained: how CVD is calculated from bid and ask volume, when to reset it, and how to read CVD divergence on ES and NQ futures charts.
by Phil Wasmuth5 min readDelta Divergence: Reading Absorption in Order FlowDelta divergence explained: why heavy selling without lower prices signals absorption, how to spot it on footprint and CVD, and how to confirm it at key levels.
by Phil Wasmuth7 min readFootprint Charts Explained: Bid/Ask and ImbalancesFootprint charts explained: how to read bid x ask numbers, delta and volume modes, diagonal and stacked imbalances, and unfinished auctions on futures charts.
by Phil Wasmuth5 min readAbsorption vs. Exhaustion in Order FlowAbsorption vs. exhaustion in order flow: how heavy volume without progress differs from a move that runs out of buyers or sellers, with footprint signatures.
by Phil Wasmuth5 min readVolume Profile, POC and Value Area for FuturesVolume profile explained for futures traders: point of control, value area high and low, high and low volume nodes, and session vs. composite profiles.
by Phil Wasmuth5 min readGamma Levels Explained: What GEX Means for ES and NQGamma exposure (GEX) explained for futures traders: how dealer hedging creates gamma levels, positive vs. negative gamma, and how levels map to ES and NQ.
by Phil Wasmuth5 min readZero Gamma, Call Wall and Put Wall ExplainedDealer positioning explained: what zero gamma, the call wall and the put wall are, how they are derived, and how ES and NQ traders read them against order flow.
by Phil Wasmuth5 min readVWAP for Futures Day Trading: Session VWAP and BandsVWAP for futures day trading: how session VWAP is calculated, Globex vs. RTH anchoring, standard deviation bands and anchored VWAP for ES and NQ traders.
by Phil Wasmuth5 min readHow to Set Up Order Flow Tools in ATASHow to set up order flow tools in ATAS: footprint (cluster) chart, imbalance settings, cumulative delta, volume profile and VWAP, and where PFT indicators fit.
by Phil Wasmuth10 min readWhat Is the Heatmap in ATAS? Liquidity, Aggression and SetupThe ATAS Heatmap explained: resting limit orders over time, trade bubbles, key settings, spoofing, and how to read aggressive vs. passive traders to qualify breakouts.
by Phil Wasmuth7 min readHow to Set Up a Workspace in ATASHow to set up an ATAS workspace: drawing, indicator and chart templates, saving and sharing workspaces in ATAS X, and the NQ workspace Phil uses after seven years.
by Phil Wasmuth6 min readWhy Journaling Matters, and How PFT-EdgeBook Is DifferentWhy a trading journal matters, why to journal while the trade is open, and how PFT-EdgeBook records trades live from ATAS with MAE/MFE, post-exit data and screenshots.
by Phil Wasmuth6 min readATAS X Replay Mode: How to Backtest ProperlyATAS X Replay Mode explained: the Replay widget, data types, level 2 limits and speed, ATAS X vs. ATAS Classic, the rules of honest backtesting, and journaling replay trades with PFT-EdgeBook.