Free order block and market structure indicator for NinjaTrader 8

Market structure orders the chart into highs and lows. While highs keep breaking, the trend is up; the first broken low warns of a possible change. Order blocks are the last opposite candle before the move that breaks.

This indicator marks the breaks, separates the ones with real displacement (MSS) and keeps only the order blocks that are still active.

  • 100% free
  • Open source (MIT)
  • Built by El Trader Financiado for the community

Version 1.0 beta · NinjaTrader 8 · .zip to import · also in the pack of all 8

Install one language only: if you switch between English and Spanish, delete the ElTraderFinanciado folder first (Documents\NinjaTrader 8\bin\Custom\Indicators).

Using NinjaTrader in Spanish? Versión en español
Market structure indicator on NinjaTrader 8: BOS, CHoCH and active order blocks on a 5-minute NQ chart
On the chart

What the indicator draws

  • BOS (break with the trend) and CHoCH (first break against it).
  • MSS: a CHoCH with displacement that leaves an FVG of at least 0.5× ATR.
  • Active swing order blocks (3 per side) with their 50% line. Invalidated ones disappear.
  • Optional: internal structure, breakers, EQH/EQL, premium/discount, OTE and HH/HL/LH/LL labels.
The concept

What an order block, a BOS and a CHoCH are

A BOS (break of structure) is a broken high in an uptrend or a broken low in a downtrend: it confirms the trend continues.

Read the full guide: what it is, rule-based strategies and common mistakes
How to use it

How to trade order blocks

A summary of the most common uses. Entry, stop and target rules are in the guide.

  • Pullback to the order block after a BOS

    Trend continuation: price breaks, returns to the origin of the impulse and continues.

  • MSS as a reversal signal

    A CHoCH with displacement shows the other side has taken control.

What the evidence says

Swing highs and lows are an objective way to describe trend. Order blocks are an ICT and smart money concept with no public studies showing price respects those candles more than any other.

Settings

Key settings

SettingDefaultWhat it does
Bars each side (swing)50Lower = more, smaller breaks.
Show internal structureOffShort-term structure (5 bars).
Break on close onlyOnA wick doesn't count as a break.
MSS: minimum FVG (× ATR 14)0.5Displacement required for an MSS.
Active OBs per side3Order blocks drawn at once.
Takes 2 minutes

How to install ETFEstructura in NinjaTrader 8

  1. 1

    Download the .zip and don't unzip it.

  2. 2

    In NinjaTrader 8, from the Control Center: Tools → Import → NinjaScript Add-On… and pick the .zip.

  3. 3

    Accept and wait for it to compile. If you had an earlier version, allow it to overwrite.

  4. 4

    On the chart: right-click → Indicators… → ElTraderFinanciado folder.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a CHoCH and an MSS?

Both are the first break against the trend. An MSS also requires displacement: a strong move that leaves an FVG of a minimum size.

Why does an order block disappear?

Because it was invalidated: price closed through it. If you want to see them turned into breakers, enable "Show breakers".

Trying it in a futures prop firm?

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Pair it with

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These indicators describe what price has done; they don't predict what it will do and they are not investment advice. Only trade futures with money you can afford to lose.