From c63388fce839dc881e992bc235172493907d4a69 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Rudy Osuna <ruosuna@ucsd.edu>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:59:56 -0700
Subject: [PATCH] Add custom-indicator skill to
 skill-templates/indicators/custom-indicator

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 .../indicators/custom-indicator/SKILL.md      | 104 ++++++++++++++++++
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 create mode 100644 skill-templates/indicators/custom-indicator/SKILL.md

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+---
+name: custom-indicator
+description: >
+  Creates a custom indicator class in QuantConnect/LEAN. Invoke for "create a custom indicator", "implement [name] indicator", "I need an indicator LEAN doesn't have", "PythonIndicator", "custom indicator class". Skip for LEAN built-ins (SMA, EMA, RSI).
+---
+
+# /custom-indicator -- QuantConnect Custom Indicator
+
+Creates a custom indicator class and wires it into an algorithm.
+
+## Step 1 -- Gather Indicator Information
+
+Ask the user: (1) indicator name; (2) formula/logic; (3) input type -- `IndicatorDataPoint` (single price), `TradeBar` (OHLCV, default), `QuoteBar` (bid/ask); (4) period; (5) internal LEAN indicators (SMA, EMA, RSI) -- construct and update inside py`update`cs`ComputeNextValue`; (6) scope -- single symbol or universe; (7) warm-up -- manual (recommended) or automatic.
+
+## Step 2 -- Generate the Code
+
+Python: `from AlgorithmImports import *` only. Inherit `PythonIndicator`. File: `snake_case.py` in its own file.
+C#: inherit `Indicator` (or `BarIndicator` for OHLCV). Set `WarmUpPeriod` in constructor. File: `PascalCase.cs`.
+Manual warm-up (default): loop py`self.history[TradeBar](symbol, period + 1)`cs`History<TradeBar>(symbol, period + 1, Resolution.Daily)`, call py`indicator.update(bar)`cs`indicator.Update(bar)` before py`self.register_indicator`cs`RegisterIndicator`.
+Automatic warm-up: py`self.settings.automatic_indicator_warm_up = True`cs`Settings.AutomaticIndicatorWarmUp = true` in py`initialize`cs`Initialize`.
+
+### Indicator class
+```python
+class CustomVolatility(PythonIndicator):
+    def __init__(self, period):
+        super().__init__()
+        self.value = 0
+        self._window = RollingWindow[float](period)
+    def update(self, input_: BaseData):
+        self._window.add(input_.value)
+        if self._window.is_ready:
+            prices = np.array(list(self._window)[::-1])
+            self.value = np.std(np.diff(np.log(prices))) * math.sqrt(252) * 100
+        return self.is_ready
+    @property
+    def is_ready(self) -> bool:
+        return self._window.is_ready
+```
+```csharp
+public class CustomVolatility : Indicator
+{
+    private readonly RollingWindow<decimal> _window;
+    public CustomVolatility(int period) : base("CustomVolatility")
+    {
+        _window = new RollingWindow<decimal>(period);
+        WarmUpPeriod = period;
+    }
+    public override bool IsReady => _window.IsReady;
+    protected override decimal ComputeNextValue(IndicatorDataPoint input)
+    {
+        _window.Add(input.Value);
+        if (!IsReady) return 0m;
+        // Compute from _window here.
+        return 0m;
+    }
+}
+```
+For OHLCV in C#, inherit `BarIndicator` and use `IBaseDataBar` in `ComputeNextValue`.
+
+### Single-symbol integration
+```python
+def initialize(self):
+    symbol = self.add_equity("SPY", Resolution.DAILY).symbol
+    self._indicator = CustomVolatility(period)
+    for bar in self.history[TradeBar](symbol, period + 1):
+        self._indicator.update(bar)
+    self.register_indicator(symbol, self._indicator)
+```
+```csharp
+var symbol = AddEquity("SPY", Resolution.Daily).Symbol;
+_indicator = new CustomVolatility(period);
+foreach (var bar in History<TradeBar>(symbol, period + 1, Resolution.Daily))
+    _indicator.Update(bar);
+RegisterIndicator(symbol, _indicator);
+```
+
+### Universe integration
+```python
+def on_securities_changed(self, changes):
+    for security in changes.added_securities:
+        security.indicator = CustomVolatility(period)
+        for bar in self.history[TradeBar](security, period + 1):
+            security.indicator.update(bar)
+        self.register_indicator(security, security.indicator)
+    for security in changes.removed_securities:
+        self.deregister_indicator(security.indicator)
+        self.liquidate(security)
+```
+C# mirrors Python: use `OnSecuritiesChanged`, `RegisterIndicator`, `DeregisterIndicator`, `Liquidate`. Gate reads on `_indicators[symbol].IsReady`.
+
+## Step 3 -- Write Files via MCP
+
+1. `quantconnect:create_file` with the indicator class.
+2. `quantconnect:update_file_contents` for `main.py` / `Main.cs`.
+3. Python only: add `from custom_volatility import CustomVolatility` after `from AlgorithmImports import *`.
+
+## Step 4 -- Compile
+
+1. `quantconnect:create_compile`. Poll `quantconnect:read_compile` until `BuildSuccess` or `BuildError`. Fix errors and loop.
+
+## Step 5 -- Backtest and Verify
+
+1. `quantconnect:create_backtest`. Poll `quantconnect:read_backtest` until complete.
+2. Confirm py`is_ready`cs`IsReady` becomes true and at least one order placed (if the algorithm has entry conditions).