Control, quickness, and clarity are crucial when trading for a prop firm. When your trade setup is already underway, you cannot afford to wander around a disorganized desktop or sift through options. The MetaTrader 5 (MT5) user interface may be customized to address this. MT5 is a powerful platform already, but how can you customize it to fit your trading preferences? It truly begins to sparkle at that point.
So, whether you're just starting out in the world of funded accounts or you're a seasoned prop trader looking to fine-tune your edge, it is important to know how to shape MT5 into a clean, sharp trading weapon. Let’s discuss in detail.
Why Customization Matters for Prop Traders
Trading with firm capital involves managing someone else's risk in addition to playing with your own money. Yes, that increases pressure but it also creates opportunities. Among the simplest strategies for maintaining mental acuity under such stress? A workstation designed with you in mind.
Customizing the MT5 trading platform isn’t about making it look cool. It’s about:
- Reducing noise so you only see what matters.
- Speeding up your workflow with shortcuts and layout tweaks.
- Improving focus by eliminating distractions.
- Getting in and out of trades faster—with fewer clicks.
Step 1: Strip It Down, Then Build It Up
Remove Unused Windows
A number of windows will be open by default including Market Watch, Navigator, Toolbox, and maybe a default chart. While some of these are useful, most traders don't always employ them.
Toggle them off by right-clicking on each window's header or by selecting View >. A blank canvas is where you start. Price action scalpers, swing traders, and news-based traders will all want various items front and center, so only include what is necessary for your style.
Set Your Preferred Chart Layout
Think about your strategy. Do you analyze across multiple timeframes? Run multiple pairs side by side? Need a clean look for fast entries?
Here’s what to do:
- Tile Windows: Use Window > Tile Windows to arrange multiple charts cleanly.
- Detach Charts: Use third-party tools (like floating chart plugins) if you want charts on separate monitors.
- Save Profile: Once you've got the layout you like, save it under File > Profiles > Save As and name it something like London Session Setup or Scalping Mode.
Step 2: Customize Chart Appearance for Clarity
Right-Click > Properties (or press F8)
- Background: Black or white—whatever’s easier on your eyes.
- Candlestick Colors: Make bullish and bearish candles pop. Maybe bright green and red? Or something more subdued like teal and orange.
- Grid: Most traders turn it off (Ctrl+G) to keep things clean.
- Volumes, Ask Line, OHLC: Decide what you really need showing up.
Template it!
After you're satisfied with the appearance of your chart, right-click > Templates > Save Template. Set aside one for each type, such as Scalping Zones and Swing Clean.
You will save time by not having to recreate your configuration the next time you open a new chart.
Step 3: Modify Toolbars for Faster Navigation
Toolbars might seem small but shaving off a few clicks each time adds up—especially if you’re placing dozens of trades a day.
Go to View > Toolbars > Customize
You can drag out the buttons you never use and bring in the ones you always need.
- Add buttons like:
- One-click trading
- Timeframe selectors
- Templates
- Indicators you use all the time (like RSI or Moving Averages)
- One-click trading
Step 4: Streamline the Navigator and Market Watch
Navigator Panel Tweaks
Your EAs, scripts, and indicators are located here. However, it slows you down if it is filled with trash.
- Delete or hide indicators you don’t use.
- Create folders for custom indicators so everything’s organized.
- Rename your favorites to something memorable (you can do this in your file system).
Market Watch Cleanup
Right-click inside Market Watch and hit Hide All then Show only the pairs you actually trade. You don’t need to scroll past sugar, cocoa, and wheat contracts if you’re only trading FX majors or S&P 500 futures.
Also, consider enabling “Tick Chart” for active pairs if you’re a scalper—it gives a real-time view of micro-movements.
Step 5: Set Up One-Click Trading
Enable it via Tools > Options > Trade > One-Click Trading
Once it’s on, you’ll see a tiny buy/sell panel on your charts. No confirmation windows. Just click and boom—you’re in.
Combine this with custom lot sizes and hotkeys (more on that below), and your execution speed levels up fast.
Step 6: Assign Hotkeys Like a Pro
Tools > Options > Hotkeys
Assign hotkeys to:
- Open or close trades
- Switch timeframes
- Open specific indicators
- Switch between chart profiles
You could literally hit Ctrl+1 and load your scalping layout, Ctrl+2 for your swing trade setup, and Ctrl+Q to place a pending order.
Try different setups and stick with what feels natural. Your goal is to reduce thinking time between idea and execution.
Step 7: Use Docking and Floating Windows Wisely
Instant funding prop firm traders often run multi-screen setups. If that’s you, consider undocking windows like Market Watch or a second chart.
By default, MT5 is a “docked” interface, meaning everything stays inside the main window. But with the right plugins (like Chart-In-Window tools), you can float a chart to a second monitor.
This is awesome if:
- You want one screen for execution and another for macro analysis.
- You’re watching multiple pairs or indices in different markets (FX + ES, for example).