How to Create a Journal Entry

Log Your Trades for Better Performance Tracking

The trade journal is a Pro feature that lets you record, track, and analyze your trades over time. Keeping a detailed journal is one of the most effective ways to improve as a trader. Here is how to create your first entry.

Step 1: Navigate to the Journal

From the app sidebar or main navigation, click Journal. Then click the "New Entry" button to open the entry form.

Step 2: Fill In Your Trade Details

The journal entry form includes the following fields:

Required Fields

  • Date - The date you entered the trade
  • Asset / Ticker - The stock, crypto, or forex pair you traded (e.g., AAPL, BTC/USD, EUR/USD)
  • Direction - Whether you went Long (bought) or Short (sold)
  • Entry Price - The price at which you entered the trade

Optional Fields

  • Exit Price - The price at which you closed the trade. You can leave this blank and fill it in later when the trade closes
  • Quantity / Position Size - The number of shares, contracts, or units traded
  • Stop-Loss - The stop-loss price you used
  • Take-Profit - The take-profit target you aimed for
  • Fees / Commission - Any trading fees associated with the trade

Step 3: Link to a PatternPilotAI Analysis (Optional)

If you used PatternPilotAI to analyze the chart before entering the trade, you can link the analysis to your journal entry. Click "Link Analysis" and select from your recent analyses. This is a powerful feature that lets you compare what the AI suggested versus what actually happened.

Step 4: Add Notes and Tags

Notes

Use the notes field to record your thought process:

  • Why did you take this trade?
  • What was your thesis or setup?
  • How did you feel during the trade?
  • What would you do differently?

Recording your reasoning helps you identify patterns in your decision-making over time.

Tags

Add tags to categorize your trades for easy filtering later. Common tags include:

  • Pattern type: "breakout", "reversal", "continuation"
  • Strategy: "swing", "scalp", "earnings play"
  • Outcome context: "planned exit", "stopped out", "early exit"

You can create any tags that make sense for your trading style.

Step 5: Save the Entry

Click Save to record your journal entry. It will appear in your journal list, sorted by date.

Updating an Entry Later

You can edit any journal entry at any time. This is especially useful for:

  • Adding the exit price when the trade closes
  • Updating notes with post-trade reflections
  • Adding additional tags based on the outcome

Simply click on the entry in your journal list and make your changes.

Tips for Effective Journaling

  • Log every trade, not just the winners. Losses are often more educational
  • Write notes immediately while the trade details are fresh in your memory
  • Be honest about your reasoning and emotions. The journal is for your benefit
  • Review your journal regularly to identify strengths and weaknesses in your trading

Note: Trade journaling is available exclusively to Pro subscribers. Upgrade to Pro to access this feature.

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