The One-Page Daily Trading Plan (Template)
A plan that cannot fit on one page will not be read at 09:25. This template is designed to be filled in before the open, checked against the first five minutes, and used as the reference for the journal at the end of the day.
It is a template, not a recommendation. The levels, bias and risk numbers must come from your own analysis and your own account rules. The example is illustrative and is not a trade idea.
The plan is not a prediction. It is a set of conditional instructions written before emotion arrives.
How To Use It
- Copy the blank template into your notes app, trading journal or a printed sheet.
- Fill in the context and the levels first.
- Write the three scenarios before you look at the live market.
- Do the risk arithmetic before the open.
- Review the plan against the first five minutes and mark it confirmed, invalidated or unresolved.
- Fill in the journal during and after the session.
Keep the same headings every day. The consistency is what makes the plans comparable.
The Blank Template
1. Context
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | |
| Instrument / contract | |
| Session and time zone | |
| Plan written at (time) | |
| Scheduled news / events | |
| Market context (one line) |
2. Bias
Bias: ______________________________
Because: ______________________________
Invalidated by: ______________________________
3. Key Levels
| Level | Price / zone | Source | Type (support / resistance / pivot) |
|---|---|---|---|
| L1 | |||
| L2 | |||
| L3 | |||
| L4 | |||
| L5 |
Line in the sand: ______________________________
Above it: ______________________________
Below it: ______________________________
4. Three Scenarios
Scenario A — Primary
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Trigger | |
| Entry | |
| Stop | |
| Target 1 / R | |
| Target 2 / R | |
| Invalidation |
Scenario B — Secondary
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Trigger | |
| Entry | |
| Stop | |
| Target 1 / R | |
| Target 2 / R | |
| Invalidation |
Scenario C — No Trade
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Condition | |
| Action | Stand aside / wait for the next boundary |
5. Risk Budget
| Rule | Value |
|---|---|
| Account equity | |
| Risk per trade | ___% = $___ |
| Daily loss limit | −___% = $___ |
| Position cap per account | ___ contracts |
| Maximum trades today | |
| Losses that end the day | |
| News blackout |
Position size check:
contracts = risk budget ÷ (stop distance × point value)| Scenario | Stop distance | Point value | Max contracts | Cap applied | Final size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | |||||
| B |
6. Rules For Today
- ____________________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________________
- ____________________________________________________________
7. Open Review (Fill In After The First Five Minutes)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Did the open confirm the bias? | Yes / No / Unresolved |
| Which scenario is live? | A / B / C |
| Did any level break or hold unexpectedly? | |
| Is the risk budget still valid? | Yes / No |
| Any reason to stand aside? |
8. Journal
| # | Time | Setup | Entry | Stop | Target | Planned R | Exit | Realized R | P&L | Compliance (1–10) | Emotional state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||||||||||
| 2 | |||||||||||
| 3 |
End-of-day reflection
- Did I follow the plan? (1–10)
- What worked and why?
- What failed and why?
- One lesson for tomorrow.
- Emotional discipline (1–10).
- One adjustment for tomorrow’s plan.
A Worked Example (Illustrative Only)
The following is a synthetic example using MNQ (Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100) to show the format. It is not a trade recommendation, and the prices are not current.
Context
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | Example day |
| Instrument / contract | MNQ (example contract) |
| Session and time zone | New York RTH, ET |
| Plan written at | 08:45 ET |
| Scheduled news / events | 10:00 ET release; no new entries 09:45–10:15 |
| Market context | Price below the 60-minute EMA stack; overnight sell-off; prior day closed near the low |
Bias
Bias: Bearish while price is below the 60-minute EMA stack and below VWAP.
Because: Lower highs and lower lows on the 60-minute, price below all four EMAs, and the last bounce failed at the prior day low.
Invalidated by: A 5-minute close above 29,635 that holds on a retest.
Key Levels
| Level | Price / zone | Source | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| L1 | 29,635 | 5-minute swing high | Resistance |
| L2 | 29,613 | Prior day low / old line in the sand | Resistance |
| L3 | 29,580 | London session high | Resistance / short zone |
| L4 | 29,505 | Day low | Support / line in the sand |
| L5 | 29,471 | Prior swing / working order | Support |
Line in the sand: 29,505
Above it: Bounce scenario; stand aside or wait for a rejection at 29,580–29,613.
Below it: Continuation scenario; look for a failed reclaim of 29,512.
Scenario A — Retest Short (Primary)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Short the 29,580–29,613 retest |
| Trigger | Bounce into the zone and a 5-minute rejection close back below 29,598 |
| Entry | 29,600 |
| Stop | 29,640 (40 points) |
| Target 1 / R | 29,520 (80 points, 2.0R) |
| Target 2 / R | 29,471 (129 points, 3.2R) |
| Invalidation | 5-minute close above 29,635 |
Scenario B — Failed-Breakdown Long (Secondary)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Failed-breakdown long |
| Trigger | 5-minute close above 29,545, then a retest that holds 29,520 |
| Entry | 29,522 |
| Stop | 29,498 (24 points) |
| Target 1 / R | 29,580 (58 points, 2.4R) |
| Target 2 / R | 29,613 (91 points, 3.8R) |
| Invalidation | 5-minute close below 29,505 |
Note: counter-trend; half size.
Scenario C — No Trade
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Condition | Price stays inside 29,505–29,580 with overlapping bars |
| Action | Stand aside; wait for a boundary |
Risk Budget
| Rule | Value |
|---|---|
| Account equity | $25,000 (example) |
| Risk per trade | 1% = $250 |
| Daily loss limit | −2% = $500 |
| Position cap per account | 5 contracts |
| Maximum trades today | 2 |
| Losses that end the day | 2 |
| News blackout | 09:45–10:15 ET |
Position size check:
| Scenario | Stop distance | Point value | Max contracts | Cap applied | Final size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 40 pts | $2 | 3.1 → 3 | 5 | 3 |
| B | 24 pts | $2 | 5.2 → 5 | 5 | 5 (but half-size rule → 2) |
Rules For Today
- Short only the 29,580–29,613 retest, or on acceptance below 29,505.
- No market shorts at the low; no longs above 29,613.
- No new entries 09:45–10:15 ET.
The Checklist Before You Start
- [ ] Context includes the news calendar and the time zone.
- [ ] Bias has a reason and an invalidation.
- [ ] Levels have a source.
- [ ] The line in the sand is defined.
- [ ] Three scenarios are written, including no-trade.
- [ ] Every scenario has an invalidation.
- [ ] Risk arithmetic is done and checked.
- [ ] The position cap is applied.
- [ ] The daily loss limit and the two-loss rule are visible.
- [ ] The journal fields are ready.
Common Mistakes
- Filling in the plan after the open.
- Using more than five levels.
- Writing scenarios without invalidation.
- Skipping the no-trade branch.
- Doing the risk arithmetic after the entry.
- Changing the rules during the session.
- Not reviewing the plan against the open.
Related Guides
- The AI-Assisted Trading Plan
- AI Chart Analysis: What It Can and Cannot See
- AI for Trading Discipline
- Chart Review Checklist
- Trading Journal Template
- AI Trading Prompt Pack
Disclaimer
This template is educational. It is not financial, investment, legal or tax advice, and it is not a recommendation or solicitation. The example is synthetic and illustrative. Trading involves substantial risk of loss. AI output can be inaccurate; verify every level and figure on the chart and in the broker platform. Past performance and backtests do not guarantee future results.
Start With a Quick Brief
Book a 30-minute strategy call. We'll diagnose your challenge and map the right AI-powered skill set for your goals.
Book the Call