Introduction: The Shift That Changed Everything
When I first started trading, I used TradingView the way most people do—default templates, too many indicators, and way too much screen clutter. It took me a while to realize that the chart isn’t just a place to look at price—it’s a reflection of how you think. When I cleaned up my layouts, streamlined my tools, and started looking at trends through fewer but sharper lenses, everything changed.
This guide shares the exact setup I use for swing trading on TradingView—what I changed, why I changed it, and how it has improved both my conviction and clarity.
1. Cleaning the Canvas: My Workspace Setup
Dark Mode Isn’t Just Aesthetic—It’s Essential
One of the first things I did was switch to a black chart background. Sounds minor, but when you’re staring at candles for hours each day, your eyes will feel the difference. I learned this the hard way— I still remember my early days—after a particularly intense week of charting, my vision blurred for three days and a blood vessel turned red in my eye.
⚠️ Pro tip: Overexposure to bright charts without breaks can lead to dry eyes, headaches, and long-term fatigue. Choose clarity, not just color.
2. The Power of Fractals: Why I Always Use Multiple Timeframes
Trends don’t exist in isolation—they unfold in a fractal manner across timeframes. That’s why I never look at one chart alone.
I use a multi-chart layout with:
• Weekly chart to understand the macro picture
• Daily chart to align with the prevailing swing trend
• 75-minute chart to time entries and exits
When all three timeframes are in sync, I know the odds are in my favor.
3. Why Log Scale is My Default
For stocks that trend in exponential moves, linear scales often hide critical structure. I always switch to logarithmic scale—it helps me view price action in proportion to percentage change, which is especially important in long-term trend analysis.
“The log scale reveals the rhythm of the move. Without it, trendlines can deceive you.”
4. My Core Indicator Set (and Why I Use So Few)
I don’t believe in stuffing charts with 10 indicators. I use three—each chosen for a specific purpose.
4.1 RSI: The Psychology Beneath the Price
The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is a masterclass in emotional rhythm. I use it not just to spot overbought or oversold conditions, but to read the power shift between bulls and bears.
I use a 25-period RSI—a custom tweak that helps filter out noise and reflect trend-based ranges more reliably than the default 14.
“RSI doesn’t just tell you what’s happened—it whispers what’s building.”
4.2 EMAs: Why I Use the 20, 100, and 250
My go-to EMAs are the 20, 100, and 250-day moving averages.
• 20 EMA shows the short-term trend
• 100 EMA captures the mid-trend structure
• 250 EMA gives a smooth, long-term reference
Most traders use the 200 EMA, but I use the 250 because it’s smoother and filters more noise. It also overlaps better when accounting for both SMA and EMA watchers.
Here’s what’s key: I don’t recalculate EMAs on every timeframe. I overlay Daily EMAs on my 75-minute and Weekly charts. This gives me consistency across my layout and avoids misleading duplicates (e.g., the 100 EMA on 75-min looking identical to the 20 EMA on Daily).
4.3 MACD on Volume: The Twist That Changed How I Read Participation
Instead of using MACD for price, I apply it to volume.
Here’s my setting:
• Source: Volume
• Fast Length: 100
• Slow Length: 20
• Smoothing: 9
This setup shows me volume momentum—how aggressively buyers or sellers are stepping in relative to recent behavior. It’s one of my favorite ways to confirm conviction behind a move.
“If price is pushing higher but volume MACD is weakening, I take a step back. If both move in sync—I lean in.”
5. Mistakes I See (And Avoid)
• 📉 Using arithmetic scale on long-term charts
• 📊 Switching indicator settings randomly across timeframes
• 🧩 Cluttering charts with conflicting tools
• 🔍 Ignoring alignment across timeframes
6. Final Thoughts: TradingView as an Extension of Your Thinking
Your chart layout reflects your mental framework. It should be clear, purposeful, and aligned with the way you process information. My TradingView setup has evolved over time, not just to help me see the market—but to help me trust what I see.
“Clean charts. Consistent tools. Clear signals. That’s where confidence begins.”
✅ Want More?
I share real-time setups, trades, and advanced breakdowns in my Trade Together Program: https://exp-invest.in/subscription
I also share educational videos on using technical analysis for swing trading. Right now I am working on my 100 days of Stock Analysis Series on YouTube.
Join my Telegram channel for regular and quality Stock Market Updates
Thanks for reading!
-Kavita Agrawal
Comments