Working with Nodes
Nodes are the building blocks of your trading strategy. Each node performs a specific function -- reading market data, calculating an indicator, evaluating logic, or placing orders. Connect nodes together to create a complete algorithmic pipeline.
Vantixs includes 65+ node types generated from YAML schemas, organized into 11 categories. New nodes are added regularly.
Node Anatomy
Every node on the canvas shares a common structure:
Title Bar
Shows the node name and category icon. Double-click the title to rename it (e.g., "BTC 15m Data" instead of generic "OHLCV Data").
Input Ports
Small circles on the left side that receive data from upstream nodes. Each port is typed (e.g., OHLCV, TIMESERIES, SIGNAL).
Output Ports
Small circles on the right side that send results to downstream nodes. Hover to see the data type.
Status Indicator
A color badge showing the node state during backtest execution (gray = idle, green = active, red = error).
Node Categories
The node palette organizes all available nodes into the following categories. Each category serves a distinct role in the strategy pipeline.
Nodes that feed market data into your pipeline. Every strategy starts with at least one data source.
- OHLCV Data: Candlestick data (open, high, low, close, volume) for any supported trading pair and timeframe. Outputs
OHLCVtype. - HTF Data: Higher-timeframe candle data for multi-timeframe analysis. Resamples lower-timeframe data to 4h, daily, or weekly bars.
Example: An OHLCV Data node configured for BTC/USDT on the 1-hour timeframe provides the raw price data that all downstream indicators consume.
Configuring Nodes
When you select a node on the canvas, the inspector panel opens on the right side showing all configurable parameters for that node.
How to Configure a Node
Select the Node
Click on it to highlight it and open the inspector panel on the right side of the canvas.
Review Parameters
Each node type has specific parameters. For example, an RSI node shows period (default: 14), while a Bollinger Bands node shows period (20) and standard deviation multiplier (2.0).
Adjust Values
Use sliders, number inputs, or dropdowns to modify parameters. For example, set RSI period to 7 for more responsive signals or 21 for smoother readings.
Instant Preview
Changes apply immediately -- no save button needed. If you are running a backtest, you can see the impact right away.
Common Configuration Patterns
| Node | Key Parameters | Typical Values |
|---|---|---|
| OHLCV Data | Symbol, Timeframe | BTC/USDT, 1h |
| RSI | Period | 7 (aggressive), 14 (standard), 21 (smooth) |
| EMA | Period | 9 (fast), 21 (medium), 50 (slow) |
| Bollinger Bands | Period, Std Dev | 20 / 2.0 (standard), 20 / 2.5 (wider) |
| MACD | Fast, Slow, Signal | 12, 26, 9 (standard) |
| Signal to Order | Sizing, Quantity | Risk-based at 2%, or fixed 0.01 BTC |
| Comparison | Operator, Value | Less-than 30 (RSI oversold check) |
Node States
During backtest execution, nodes display their processing state:
| Color | State | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Gray | Idle | Waiting for input data or not yet reached in the pipeline |
| Blue | Processing | Currently calculating -- visible during backtest runs |
| Green | Active | Successfully outputting valid data |
| Yellow | Warning | Node is working but configuration may need attention |
| Red | Error | Invalid setup -- click to see the error message in the inspector |
If a node shows red, click it to read the error message in the inspector panel. Common issues include missing input connections, incompatible data types on a port, or invalid parameter values (e.g., a period of 0).