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§00 SCANNER - Market Open Trading Dashboard Guide

1. Dashboard Overview

The Market Open layout is designed for active monitoring after the regular market opens. It combines scanners, multiple charts, order entry, quotes, Time & Sales, and alerts.

Area Location Purpose
Top Toolbar Top of screen Add panels, open scanners, pause updates, save/reset layout
HOD Momentum Scanner Top-left Finds symbols pushing toward or making high-of-day momentum
Top Gainers Scanner Middle-left Shows stocks with strong percentage gains
Most Active Scanner Lower-left Shows high-volume and highly active names
Time & Sales Bottom-left Shows real-time trade prints when data is connected
Main Chart 1m Top-center Primary short-term chart for the selected ticker
Daily Chart 1D Bottom-center left Larger timeframe context
Chart 5m Bottom-center right Intraday structure and confirmation
Depth Chart / Level 2 Area Bottom-center Shows market depth if Level 2 data is available
Montage / Order Entry Top-right Submit buy, sell, short, cover, and bracket orders
Quote Panel Right-middle Shows ticker details, current price, percent change, and news
Alert Feed Right-lower Shows real-time alerts when scanner conditions trigger

2. Top Toolbar

The top toolbar controls the workspace.

Button / Menu What It Does
Open Indicator Shows the market is open
+ Add Panel Adds charts, scanners, quotes, news, alerts, or order-entry panels
Scanner Opens or focuses scanner tools
Pause Pauses live updates while you review the screen
Sound Icon Controls platform alerts or sound
Market Open Dropdown Shows the active workspace/layout
Save As Saves your customized Market Open layout
Reset Restores the layout to its default state
  1. Open the Market Open layout after the regular session begins.
  2. Confirm scanners are active.
  3. Keep the main chart, montage, and quote panel visible.
  4. Use Pause only when reviewing; do not leave it on if you need live data.
  5. Click Save As after customizing your layout.

3. HOD Momentum Scanner

The top-left scanner is labeled Scanner: hod-momentum.

HOD means High of Day. This scanner is designed to find stocks showing strong momentum near the highest price of the current trading day.

Scanner Columns

Column Meaning
Time Time the symbol appeared
Sym Ticker symbol
Px Current or last price
%Chg Percentage change
Vol Current trading volume
Flt Float, or approximate shares available for public trading
RVol Relative volume compared with normal activity
Spd Bid/ask spread
Gap Gap percentage from previous close

What the Screenshot Shows

The HOD Momentum scanner shows LOBO as a current result, with a large positive percentage move, strong relative volume, and a positive gap.

How to Use It

  1. Watch for symbols appearing with strong %Chg and RVol.
  2. Check whether the spread is reasonable.
  3. Click the ticker to load it into the charts and quote panel.
  4. Confirm the move on the 1-minute, 5-minute, and daily charts.
  5. Look for clean continuation, not random spikes.
  6. Do not trade only because a ticker appears in the scanner.

4. Top Gainers Scanner

The middle-left scanner is labeled Scanner: top-gainers.

This scanner shows symbols with the strongest percentage gains during the session.

Why It Matters

Top gainers can help identify:

  • Momentum stocks
  • News-driven movers
  • Low-float runners
  • Sector sympathy plays
  • Stocks breaking out after the open

How to Use It

  1. Sort by %Chg to see the biggest movers.
  2. Check Vol and RVol to confirm activity.
  3. Check Flt to understand whether the stock may be low-float and volatile.
  4. Check Spd to avoid wide-spread names.
  5. Open the chart before making any trade decision.

Screenshot Example

The Top Gainers scanner shows symbols such as BDJX, GXAI, LOBO, and HPE with strong percentage gains.

A beginner should compare each candidate using chart structure, news catalyst, volume, spread, float, and risk level.

5. Most Active Scanner

The lower-left scanner is labeled Scanner: most-active.

This scanner shows stocks or ETFs with high trading activity.

Why It Matters

Most Active is useful for finding symbols with liquidity and volume. High activity does not automatically mean a good trade, but it can help you locate names that many traders are watching.

How to Read It

Signal What It Can Mean
High volume Many shares are trading
High RVol Unusual activity compared with normal volume
Large %Chg Strong price movement
Low spread Easier entry and exit
Large gap Possible news or overnight catalyst

Screenshot Example

The Most Active scanner includes both green and red movers. SOXS appears red with a negative move, while other names such as GXAI, BDJX, and LOBO appear green.

Use this scanner to find activity, then use the chart and quote panel to decide whether the setup is clean.

6. Main Chart: 1-Minute View

The top-center chart is the main working chart. In the screenshot, it shows POET on a 1-minute timeframe.

This chart is useful for short-term price action during the market open.

Visible Chart Elements

Item Purpose
Candles Show price movement candle by candle
Volume Bars Show trading activity
VWAP Volume-weighted average price
Price Line Shows current price level
Draw Tool Adds levels, trendlines, and notes
Indicator Button Opens chart indicators
Linear / Log Toggle Changes chart scale

How to Use the 1-Minute Chart

Use the 1-minute chart for watching fast momentum, timing entries and exits, seeing pullbacks, watching VWAP reactions, and identifying short-term support and resistance.

Do not rely only on the 1-minute chart. It can create false signals because every small candle looks important.

7. Daily Chart: 1D View

The lower-center-left chart shows POET on the 1-day timeframe.

The daily chart gives bigger context.

Why the Daily Chart Matters

Before entering a trade, check the daily chart for:

  • Major resistance
  • Major support
  • 52-week highs/lows
  • Previous breakout levels
  • Large gaps
  • Long-term trend
  • Overextended moves

Screenshot Example

The daily chart shows a large recent move and a major volume spike. That suggests the ticker has had unusual activity and should be treated as volatile.

Daily Chart Checklist

  • Is price near major resistance?
  • Is price near major support?
  • Is the stock already extended?
  • Is there a large recent gap?
  • Is volume much higher than normal?
  • Is the daily trend strong, weak, or mixed?

8. Intraday Chart: 5-Minute View

The lower-center-right chart shows POET on a 5-minute timeframe.

The 5-minute chart is useful for confirming whether the 1-minute action is part of a larger pattern.

Use the 5-Minute Chart To Find

  • Intraday trend
  • Pullback structure
  • Breakout levels
  • Consolidation zones
  • Higher lows
  • Lower highs
  • VWAP or moving-average reactions
  • Volume confirmation

Beginner Rule

If the 1-minute chart looks strong but the 5-minute chart looks extended or weak, wait. The 5-minute chart often gives a cleaner view of the real structure.

9. VWAP

VWAP stands for Volume Weighted Average Price.

It is one of the most common intraday reference levels.

Price Behavior Possible Meaning
Price above VWAP Buyers may have control
Price below VWAP Sellers may have control
Price bouncing from VWAP VWAP may be acting as support
Price rejecting VWAP VWAP may be acting as resistance
Price reclaiming VWAP Momentum may be improving
Price losing VWAP Momentum may be weakening

How to Use VWAP at Market Open

  1. Identify whether price is above or below VWAP.
  2. Watch for reclaim or rejection.
  3. Combine VWAP with volume.
  4. Do not enter only because price touches VWAP.
  5. Always define your stop before trading.

10. Montage / Order Entry Panel

The Montage panel is on the top-right side. It is the main order-entry area.

In the screenshot, the selected symbol is POET.

Main Montage Components

Field / Button Purpose
Symbol Ticker being traded
Bid Highest current buyer price
Ask Lowest current seller price
Size Buttons Quick share-size presets
Quantity Field Number of shares to trade
Price Field Order price if using a limit or stop order
Order Type Market, limit, stop, or other order type
Time in Force How long the order remains active
Bracket Checkbox Adds attached stop/target logic when configured
Sell Sells or closes/reduces a long position
Buy Buys or opens/adds to a long position
Short Opens a short position
Cover Closes/reduces a short position
Flatten Attempts to close the current position

11. Buy, Sell, Short, and Cover

Be very careful with these buttons.

Button Typical Use
Buy Open or add to a long position
Sell Close or reduce a long position
Short Open a short position
Cover Close or reduce a short position
Flatten Close the active position as quickly as possible

Long Trade Example

  1. Confirm ticker.
  2. Set quantity.
  3. Choose order type.
  4. Choose time in force.
  5. Click Buy.
  6. Confirm the fill.
  7. Set or verify stop loss.
  8. Click Sell to exit.

Short Trade Example

  1. Confirm ticker.
  2. Confirm shorting is available.
  3. Set quantity.
  4. Choose order type.
  5. Click Short.
  6. Confirm the fill.
  7. Set or verify stop loss.
  8. Click Cover to exit.

Beginner Warning

Do not confuse Sell with Short, or Buy with Cover. A wrong click can open the opposite position instead of closing your trade.

12. Order Type and Time in Force

The screenshot shows order controls such as MKT and DAY+.

Common Order Types

Order Type Meaning Beginner Note
Market / MKT Executes immediately at the best available price Fast but can slip
Limit Executes only at your price or better Better price control
Stop Triggers when price reaches a stop level Used for risk or breakout entries
Stop Loss Exits when price moves against you Essential for risk control
Bracket Entry with linked stop and target Useful for planned trades

Time in Force

Time in Force Meaning
DAY Active for the regular trading session
DAY+ May include extended-hours support depending on platform/broker setup
GTC Good until cancelled
IOC Immediate or cancel
FOK Fill or kill

Best Practice

At market open, spreads and volatility can change quickly. Limit orders are often safer for beginners because they control the maximum price you are willing to pay or the minimum price you are willing to accept.

13. Quote Panel

The quote panel is on the right side below the montage. It shows details for the selected ticker.

In the screenshot, the selected ticker is POET.

Quote Panel Fields

Field Meaning
Ticker Current selected symbol
Company Name Full name of the company
Current Price Latest quoted price
Dollar Change Price movement in dollars
Percent Change Price movement in percentage
Exchange Exchange where the ticker trades
News Headline Recent news related to the ticker
Previous Close / Open / Range Important reference values if displayed
Volume Shares traded

How to Use the Quote Panel

  1. Confirm you are trading the correct symbol.
  2. Check current price and percentage move.
  3. Compare price with the day’s open and previous close.
  4. Review the news headline.
  5. Check whether volume supports the move.
  6. Use the chart to confirm the quote information.

14. Time & Sales Panel

The Time & Sales panel is at the bottom-left.

It shows real-time trade prints when data is connected.

Time & Sales Columns

Column Meaning
Time When the trade occurred
Price Execution price
Size Number of shares traded
Exchange / Side Exchange or trade-side information, depending on setup

How to Use It

Use Time & Sales to confirm whether a move has real activity.

Look for fast prints, large trade sizes, repeated prints above or below key levels, slow or inactive printing, and activity increasing near VWAP, high of day, or low of day.

If it says waiting for trades, the data stream may not be connected or the ticker may not currently be printing trades.

15. Depth Chart / Level 2 Area

The lower-center panel is labeled Depth Chart.

In the screenshot, it says there is no Level 2 data available for the ticker.

What Level 2 / Depth Can Show

When available, Level 2 or depth data may show:

  • Bid levels
  • Ask levels
  • Market maker or exchange interest
  • Liquidity at different prices
  • Potential support or resistance from order book depth

Beginner Note

Level 2 can be useful, but it can also be noisy and misleading. Beginners should focus first on chart structure, volume, spread, and risk management.

16. Alert Feed

The Alert Feed is on the lower-right side.

It displays alerts when stocks hit scanner or platform criteria.

What the Screenshot Shows

The alert feed is active but waiting for triggers.

How to Use Alerts

  1. Keep alerts visible during market open.
  2. Watch for repeated ticker alerts.
  3. Confirm alerts on the chart.
  4. Check the quote/news panel.
  5. Avoid entering automatically from alerts.
  6. Use alerts as a watchlist-building tool.

17. Market Open Workflow

Use this workflow during the first part of the regular session.

Step 1: Confirm the Market Is Open

Check the top-left status indicator and the layout dropdown.

Make sure:

  • Market status shows open
  • Live data is updating
  • Scanners are refreshing
  • Charts are not paused

Step 2: Watch the Scanners

Start with:

  1. HOD Momentum for high-of-day strength.
  2. Top Gainers for strong percentage movers.
  3. Most Active for high-volume names.

Do not trade directly from the scanner. Use the scanner to find candidates only.

Step 3: Load a Candidate

  1. Click a scanner result.
  2. Confirm the ticker updates in the chart.
  3. Confirm the ticker updates in the quote panel.
  4. Confirm the ticker updates in the montage before placing any order.

Step 4: Check Multiple Charts

For each candidate, review:

  • 1-minute chart for timing
  • 5-minute chart for structure
  • Daily chart for bigger context

Step 5: Review Quote and News

Check current price, percentage change, volume, news headline, previous close, open price, and any major catalyst.

Step 6: Plan the Trade

Before entering, define:

  • Entry price
  • Stop price
  • Target price
  • Position size
  • Maximum loss
  • Reason for entry
  • Reason to exit

Step 7: Place the Order

  1. Confirm ticker in the montage.
  2. Set share size.
  3. Choose order type.
  4. Confirm time in force.
  5. Confirm price if using a limit order.
  6. Use Buy, Sell, Short, or Cover carefully.
  7. Watch for fill confirmation.

Step 8: Manage the Trade

After entry:

  1. Confirm the position is correct.
  2. Set or verify stop loss.
  3. Watch the 1-minute chart for timing.
  4. Watch the 5-minute chart for structure.
  5. Watch Time & Sales for activity.
  6. Exit according to your plan.

18. Example: Reading POET in the Screenshot

The screenshot shows POET selected.

Visible observations:

  1. POET is trading around $14.82.
  2. The main chart is on the 1-minute timeframe.
  3. The quote panel shows a positive percentage move.
  4. The 1-minute chart shows a strong upward move followed by a pullback.
  5. VWAP is visible on the chart.
  6. The 5-minute chart shows a broader intraday uptrend.
  7. The daily chart shows a large recent move and high volume.
  8. The montage is ready for order entry.
  9. The alert feed is waiting for triggers.
  10. The depth chart shows no Level 2 data available for this ticker.

A cautious read: POET is an active momentum ticker with a strong move, but it may be extended after a fast push. A beginner should wait for a planned setup, such as a controlled pullback, VWAP reaction, or clear breakout with volume.

19. Good Market Open Candidate Checklist

A stronger market-open candidate usually has:

  • Strong volume
  • High relative volume
  • Clear news or catalyst
  • Tight enough spread
  • Clean 1-minute and 5-minute structure
  • Daily chart room to move
  • Clear support and resistance
  • Clear entry level
  • Clear stop level
  • Realistic target
  • Confirmed momentum, not just a random spike

20. Risk Management Checklist

Before placing a trade, confirm:

  • Correct ticker
  • Correct account mode
  • Correct order type
  • Correct quantity
  • Correct time in force
  • Spread is acceptable
  • Volume is sufficient
  • Entry is defined
  • Stop is defined
  • Target is defined
  • Maximum loss is acceptable
  • News/catalyst has been checked
  • 1-minute, 5-minute, and daily charts have been reviewed
  • No unexpected open orders
  • No unexpected positions

21. Common Market Open Mistakes

Mistake Why It Is Risky
Chasing the first candle after open Opening volatility can reverse quickly
Trading only from scanner alerts Scanner hits are not complete trade setups
Ignoring the daily chart You may miss major resistance or extension
Using market orders on wide spreads You may get poor fills
Trading too large too early Volatility can cause fast losses
Ignoring VWAP You may miss an important intraday level
Ignoring volume Moves without volume may fail
Confusing Sell and Short You may open the wrong position
Forgetting pending orders Old orders may execute unexpectedly
Trading without a written plan Decisions become emotional

22. Practice Routine

Use this routine in paper trading during market open.

  1. Open the Market Open layout.
  2. Watch the HOD Momentum scanner for 5 minutes.
  3. Pick one ticker from the scanners.
  4. Check the 1-minute, 5-minute, and daily charts.
  5. Read the quote panel and news headline.
  6. Mark support, resistance, VWAP, high of day, and low of day.
  7. Write a trade plan.
  8. Place a small paper trade only if the setup matches the plan.
  9. Review the fill, stop, and exit.
  10. Record what happened and what you learned.

Repeat this process until you can follow the same steps without rushing.

23. Suggested Market Open Watchlist Template

Ticker Scanner Source Catalyst Price % Change Volume Key Level Bias Entry Idea Stop Target
POET Top Gainer / Active News / momentum VWAP / HOD

For beginners, keep the layout focused.

Panel Recommended Use
HOD Momentum Scanner Find high-of-day momentum
Top Gainers Scanner Find strong percentage movers
Most Active Scanner Find liquid active names
1-Minute Chart Entry and exit timing
5-Minute Chart Confirm intraday structure
Daily Chart Check bigger picture
Montage Order entry
Quote Panel Confirm symbol, price, and news
Time & Sales Confirm live trade activity
Alert Feed Watch for new triggers

Do not overcrowd the screen. The market open moves quickly, so a clean layout helps prevent mistakes.

26. Final Notes

The Market Open layout is best used for structured decision-making, not impulse trading.

Use it to:

  • Find active tickers
  • Confirm momentum
  • Check multiple timeframes
  • Review quote and news
  • Watch volume and VWAP
  • Place controlled orders
  • Manage risk
  • Review trades after execution

A good market-open rule: scanner first, chart second, plan third, order last.