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MT5 Log Reader

MT5 日志读取器

Read MetaTrader 5 log files directly to access Print() output from indicators, scripts, and expert advisors without requiring manual Experts pane inspection.
直接读取MetaTrader 5日志文件，无需手动查看专家面板（Experts pane），即可获取指标、脚本和专家顾问的Print()输出。

Purpose

用途

Implement "Option 3" dual logging pattern:
  • Print() - MT5 log files (human-readable via Experts pane)
  • CSV files - Structured data (programmatic analysis)
Claude Code CLI can autonomously read both outputs without user intervention.
实现「方案3」双日志模式：
  • Print() - MT5日志文件（可通过Experts pane查看，便于人类阅读）
  • CSV文件 - 结构化数据（用于程序化分析）
Claude Code CLI无需用户干预即可自动读取这两种输出。

When to Use This Skill

何时使用该技能

Use this skill when:
  • Validating MT5 indicator/script execution
  • Checking compilation or runtime errors
  • Analyzing Print() debug output
  • Verifying unit test results (Test_PatternDetector, Test_ArrowManager)
  • User mentions checking "Experts pane" manually
在以下场景中使用本技能：
  • 验证MT5指标/脚本的执行情况
  • 检查编译或运行时错误
  • 分析Print()调试输出
  • 验证单元测试结果（Test_PatternDetector、Test_ArrowManager）
  • 用户提及手动查看「Experts pane」

Log File Location

日志文件位置

MT5 logs are stored at:
$MQL5_ROOT/Program Files/MetaTrader 5/MQL5/Logs/YYYYMMDD.log
File Format:
  • Encoding: UTF-16LE (Little Endian)
  • Structure: Tab-separated fields (timestamp, source, message)
  • Size: Grows throughout day (typically 10-100KB)
MT5日志存储在：
$MQL5_ROOT/Program Files/MetaTrader 5/MQL5/Logs/YYYYMMDD.log
文件格式：
  • 编码：UTF-16LE（小端序）
  • 结构：制表符分隔字段（时间戳、来源、消息）
  • 大小：全天持续增长（通常为10-100KB）

Instructions

操作步骤

1. Construct today's log path

1. 构造当日日志路径

bash
/usr/bin/env bash << 'SKILL_SCRIPT_EOF'
bash
/usr/bin/env bash << 'SKILL_SCRIPT_EOF'

Determine current date

Determine current date

TODAY=$(date +"%Y%m%d")
TODAY=$(date +"%Y%m%d")

Build absolute path

Build absolute path

LOG_FILE="$MQL5_ROOT/Program Files/MetaTrader 5/MQL5/Logs/${TODAY}.log" SKILL_SCRIPT_EOF
undefined
LOG_FILE="$MQL5_ROOT/Program Files/MetaTrader 5/MQL5/Logs/${TODAY}.log" SKILL_SCRIPT_EOF
undefined

2. Read the entire log file

2. 读取完整日志文件

Use Read tool:
  • File path: Absolute path from step 1
  • The file contains all Print() statements from MT5 indicators/scripts
  • UTF-16LE encoding is automatically handled by Read tool
使用Read工具：
  • 文件路径：步骤1中生成的绝对路径
  • 该文件包含MT5指标/脚本的所有Print()语句
  • Read工具会自动处理UTF-16LE编码

3. Search for specific content (optional)

3. 搜索特定内容（可选）

Use Grep to filter entries:
Pattern: indicator name, "error", "test.*passed", etc.
Path: Log file path from step 1
Output mode: "content" with -n (line numbers)
Context: -A 5 for 5 lines after matches
使用Grep过滤条目：
Pattern: indicator name, "error", "test.*passed", etc.
Path: Log file path from step 1
Output mode: "content" with -n (line numbers)
Context: -A 5 for 5 lines after matches

4. Analyze recent entries (optional)

4. 分析最新条目（可选）

Use Bash with tail for latest output:
bash
tail -n 50 "$LOG_FILE"
使用Bash的tail命令查看最新输出：
bash
tail -n 50 "$LOG_FILE"

Common Validation Patterns

常见验证模式

Check unit test results

检查单元测试结果

Search for test pass/fail indicators:
Pattern: test.*passed|test.*failed|Tests Passed|Tests Failed|ALL TESTS PASSED
Output mode: content
Context: -B 2 -A 2
搜索测试通过/失败标识：
Pattern: test.*passed|test.*failed|Tests Passed|Tests Failed|ALL TESTS PASSED
Output mode: content
Context: -B 2 -A 2

Find compilation errors

查找编译错误

Pattern: error|ERROR|warning|WARNING|failed to create
Output mode: content
Context: -A 3
Pattern: error|ERROR|warning|WARNING|failed to create
Output mode: content
Context: -A 3

Monitor specific indicator

监控特定指标

Pattern: CCI Rising Test|PatternDetector|ArrowManager
Output mode: content
Context: -A 2
Pattern: CCI Rising Test|PatternDetector|ArrowManager
Output mode: content
Context: -A 2

View initialization messages

查看初始化消息

Pattern: OnInit|initialization|Initialization complete|Phase \d+
Output mode: content
Pattern: OnInit|initialization|Initialization complete|Phase \d+
Output mode: content

Examples

示例

Example 1: Validate unit test completion

示例1：验证单元测试完成情况

Input: User compiled Test_PatternDetector.mq5
Action:
  1. Read today's log file
  2. Grep for "Test.*PatternDetector|Tests Passed|Tests Failed"
  3. Report results (e.g., "17 tests passed, 0 failed")
Output: Test status without user checking Experts pane
Input: User compiled Test_PatternDetector.mq5
Action:
  1. Read today's log file
  2. Grep for "Test.*PatternDetector|Tests Passed|Tests Failed"
  3. Report results (e.g., "17 tests passed, 0 failed")
Output: Test status without user checking Experts pane

Example 2: Check for runtime errors

示例2：检查运行时错误

Input: User reports indicator not working
Action:
  1. Read today's log file
  2. Grep for "ERROR|error|failed" with -A 3 context
  3. Analyze error messages
Output: Specific error details and line numbers
Input: User reports indicator not working
Action:
  1. Read today's log file
  2. Grep for "ERROR|error|failed" with -A 3 context
  3. Analyze error messages
Output: Specific error details and line numbers

Example 3: Verify Phase 2 arrow creation

示例3：验证Phase 2箭头创建情况

Input: User asks "did the test arrow get created?"
Action:
  1. Read today's log file
  2. Grep for "Phase 2|Test arrow created|Failed to create"
  3. Check for success/failure messages
Output: Arrow creation status with timestamp
Input: User asks "did the test arrow get created?"
Action:
  1. Read today's log file
  2. Grep for "Phase 2|Test arrow created|Failed to create"
  3. Check for success/failure messages
Output: Arrow creation status with timestamp

Security Considerations

安全注意事项

  • Log files may contain sensitive trading data (symbol names, account info)
  • Restricted to Read, Bash, Grep tools only (no network access via WebFetch)
  • Do not expose absolute paths unnecessarily in user-facing output
  • Filter sensitive information when reporting results
  • No file modification operations allowed
  • 日志文件可能包含敏感交易数据（品种名称、账户信息）
  • 仅允许使用Read、Bash、Grep工具（禁止通过WebFetch访问网络）
  • 不要在面向用户的输出中不必要地暴露绝对路径
  • 报告结果时过滤敏感信息
  • 不允许执行任何文件修改操作

Integration with Dual Logging

与双日志模式的集成

This skill enables programmatic access to one half of the dual logging pattern:
  1. MT5 Log Files (this skill) - Human-readable Print() output
  2. CSV Files (CSVLogger.mqh) - Structured audit trails for validation
Both are accessible without user intervention:
  • MT5 logs: Read via this skill
  • CSV files: Read directly via Read tool or validate_export.py
本技能支持程序化访问双日志模式的其中一部分：
  1. MT5日志文件（本技能）- 便于人类阅读的Print()输出
  2. CSV文件（CSVLogger.mqh）- 用于验证的结构化审计跟踪
无需用户干预即可访问这两种输出：
  • MT5日志：通过本技能读取
  • CSV文件：直接通过Read工具或validate_export.py读取

Validation Checklist

验证检查清单

When using this skill:
  • Log file exists for today's date
  • File size > 0 (not empty)
  • Contains expected indicator/script output
  • Timestamps match execution time
  • Error messages (if any) are actionable
  • Test results (if applicable) show pass/fail counts
使用本技能时需确认：
  • 当日日志文件存在
  • 文件大小>0（非空）
  • 包含预期的指标/脚本输出
  • 时间戳与执行时间匹配
  • 错误消息（若有）可执行
  • 测试结果（若适用）显示通过/失败计数

References

参考资料

  • MT5 file locations: 
    docs/guides/MT5_FILE_LOCATIONS.md
  • Dual logging implementation: 
    docs/plans/cci-rising-pattern-marker.yaml
    Phase 3-4
  • CSVLogger library: 
    Program Files/MetaTrader 5/MQL5/Indicators/Custom/Development/CCINeutrality/lib/CSVLogger.mqh
  • MT5文件位置：
    docs/guides/MT5_FILE_LOCATIONS.md
  • 双日志模式实现：
    docs/plans/cci-rising-pattern-marker.yaml
    第3-4阶段
  • CSVLogger库：
    Program Files/MetaTrader 5/MQL5/Indicators/Custom/Development/CCINeutrality/lib/CSVLogger.mqh

Troubleshooting

故障排除

IssueCauseSolution
Log file not foundWrong date or pathVerify YYYYMMDD.log format and MQL5_ROOT env var
Empty log fileMT5 not running or no outputEnsure MT5 is running and Print() is being called
Encoding errorsUTF-16LE not handledRead tool handles encoding automatically
Missing test resultsTest not executedCompile and run test script in MT5 first
Grep finds nothingWrong patternUse case-insensitive (-i) or broader pattern
Old log dataLog rotationEach day creates new YYYYMMDD.log file
Path contains spacesUnquoted path variableQuote paths: "$LOG_FILE"
Sensitive data exposedTrading info in logsFilter sensitive fields when reporting to user
问题原因解决方案
未找到日志文件日期或路径错误验证YYYYMMDD.log格式及MQL5_ROOT环境变量
日志文件为空MT5未运行或无输出确保MT5正在运行且调用了Print()函数
编码错误未处理UTF-16LE编码Read工具会自动处理编码
缺少测试结果未执行测试先在MT5中编译并运行测试脚本
Grep未找到匹配内容模式错误使用不区分大小写(-i)或更宽泛的模式
日志数据过时日志轮转每天会创建新的YYYYMMDD.log文件
路径包含空格路径变量未加引号为路径添加引号："$LOG_FILE"
敏感数据暴露日志中包含交易信息向用户报告时过滤敏感字段