MT5 Expert Advisor Development: Build Your First MQL5 EA (2026)

MetaTrader 5 Expert Advisors (EAs) are automated trading programs that run directly on the MT5 platform. In this guide you will learn how to build your first MT5 EA using MQL5. ## What is an MT5 Expert Advisor? An MT5 EA is a script written in MQL5 that automatically executes trades based on your strategy. It runs 24/7 on your MT5 terminal without manual intervention. ## Basic EA Structure Every MQL5 EA has three main functions: OnInit() runs once when the EA starts, OnTick() runs on every new price tick, and OnDeinit() runs when the EA is removed. ## Simple EMA Crossover EA int fastHandle, slowHandle; int OnInit() { fastHandle = iMA(_Symbol, PERIOD_M15, 10, 0, MODE_EMA, PRICE_CLOSE); slowHandle = iMA(_Symbol, PERIOD_M15, 50, 0, MODE_EMA, PRICE_CLOSE); return INIT_SUCCEEDED; } void OnTick() { double fast[], slow[]; CopyBuffer(fastHandle, 0, 0, 2, fast); CopyBuffer(slowHandle, 0, 0, 2, slow); if (fast[1] < slow[1] && fast[0] >= slow[0]) { // Buy signal } } ## Adding Risk Management Always include stop loss and take profit. Use ATR-based stops for dynamic risk management. Set a maximum lot size to protect your account. ## Popular MT5 EA Strategies The most requested strategies are EMA crossover, RSI overbought/oversold, Parabolic SAR, grid trading, and XAUUSD scalping. ## Hire an MT5 EA Developer Team NAK builds custom MT5 Expert Advisors in MQL5 for forex, gold, and indices. We include backtesting, optimization, and VPS deployment. Contact us at theteamnak.com.