What is the Breakout Trade Planner?

The Breakout Trade Planner is a Python tool that generates trade plans based on VCP screener output, following Mark Minervini's breakout methodology.

What do I need to use this skill?

You need VCP screener JSON output with schema version '1.0', and you can run it locally without needing API keys.

How does the risk management work?

The planner calculates position sizes based on worst-case entry prices and allows you to set portfolio risk limits for better heat management.

What kind of output does the planner generate?

The planner produces both JSON and Markdown reports that include actionable orders, revalidation status, and detailed explanations of trade plans.

Can I use this skill with any broker?

While the skill generates Alpaca-compatible order templates, you should verify your broker's specific intraday trading rules and constraints.

Breakout Trade Planner

Name: Breakout Trade Planner
Availability: InStock
Author: tradermonty

Free

Create actionable trade plans from VCP screener data.

by tradermonty2.6k stars on tradermonty/claude-trading-skills

1 views

Updated Aug 10, 2026

Get this skill

Free · Opens the source repo

What Breakout Trade Planner does

The Breakout Trade Planner is a Python-based tool designed for traders who utilize the VCP (Volatility Contraction Pattern) screener to identify potential breakout stocks. This skill automates the generation of trade plans following Mark Minervini's breakout methodology, providing users with a structured approach to trading. By inputting VCP screener JSON output, the planner calculates entry and stop-loss levels, target prices, and position sizes while adhering to portfolio risk management principles.

Users can run the planner with their VCP screener results, specifying their account size and desired risk percentage. The output includes actionable orders for pre-breakout candidates, revalidation for breakout-state candidates, and a watchlist for potential future trades. Each trade plan is accompanied by a detailed explanation of the entry levels, stop-loss placements, and expected reward-risk ratios, making it easier for traders to make informed decisions.

Additionally, the skill generates Alpaca-compatible order templates, allowing users to pre-place stop-limit orders or confirm trades post-breakout. This integration streamlines the trading process and ensures that users can act quickly on their plans. The Breakout Trade Planner is particularly useful for traders looking to manage their portfolio heat and adhere to strict risk limits, as it provides clear guidelines on maximum exposure and risk per trade.

Overall, this skill is ideal for traders who have access to VCP screener data and want to enhance their trading strategy with structured plans that incorporate risk management and actionable insights.

When to use it

Use this tool when you have VCP screener JSON output and need to generate actionable trade plans with calculated entry, stop, and target levels.

When not to use it

This skill is not suitable for traders who do not use VCP screener data or those seeking real-time trading execution without prior planning.

What you can build with it

Generating Trade Plans

Input your VCP screener JSON output to generate detailed trade plans with calculated entry and exit levels.

Risk Management

Set your account size and risk percentage to ensure your trades align with your overall portfolio risk strategy.

Alpaca Order Templates

Create Alpaca-compatible order templates for pre-placement and post-confirmation trading strategies.

How to install Breakout Trade Planner

View source

1. Install with the skills CLI

npx skills add tradermonty/claude-trading-skills/breakout-trade-planner --agent claude-code

2. Or install it manually

Download the skill folder and drop it into ~/.claude/skills/ for all projects, or .claude/skills/ to scope it to one repo. Restart Claude Code so it picks up the new skill.

Anthropic's agentic coding CLI, and the reference implementation of Agent Skills. Drop a skill folder into ~/.claude/skills and Claude Code loads it automatically whenever a task matches the skill's description. Claude Code docs

Inside SKILL.md

Written by tradermonty

Breakout Trade Planner

Generate trade plans from VCP screener output following Mark Minervini's breakout methodology. Calculate position sizes using worst-case entry prices, enforce portfolio risk limits, and output Alpaca API-compatible order templates.

When to Use

User has VCP screener JSON output and wants trade plans
User asks for breakout entry/stop/target calculation
User wants Alpaca order templates for VCP breakout candidates
User needs position sizing with portfolio heat management

Prerequisites

VCP screener JSON output with schema_version: "1.0"
No API keys required (works with local JSON files)
No external skill dependencies (position sizing is built-in)

Workflow

Step 1: Generate Trade Plans

Run the planner with VCP screener output:

python3 skills/breakout-trade-planner/scripts/plan_breakout_trades.py \
  --input reports/vcp_screener_YYYY-MM-DD.json \
  --account-size 100000 \
  --risk-pct 0.5 \
  --output-dir reports/

Step 2: Review Output

Read the generated JSON and Markdown reports. Present:

Actionable Orders — Pre-breakout candidates with order templates
Revalidation — Breakout-state candidates needing live confirmation
Watchlist — Developing VCP candidates to monitor
Rejected/Deferred/Constrained — Candidates filtered by Gate or portfolio limits

Step 3: Explain Trade Plans

For each actionable order, explain:

Entry levels (signal vs worst-case) and stop-loss placement
R-multiple targets and reward-risk ratio
Two execution modes: pre_place (stop-limit) vs post_confirm (limit after 5min confirmation)
Portfolio risk contribution and cumulative heat
Broker and intraday constraints: these templates are planning artifacts, not broker permission. If the plan could create same-day round trips or use margin, confirm the user's broker-specific intraday/day-trading controls. FINRA replaced the old pattern-day-trader day-count and $25,000 minimum-equity requirements with intraday margin standards effective 2026-06-04, with broker phase-in allowed through 2027-10-20.

Minervini Gate (Filtering Criteria)

Candidates must pass ALL conditions:

Condition	Pre-breakout	Breakout
valid_vcp	True	True
rating_band	good/strong/textbook	good/strong/textbook
risk_pct_worst	<= 8.0%	<= 8.0%
breakout_volume	—	True
distance_from_pivot	—	<= max_chase_pct
current_price	—	<= worst_entry

CLI Parameters

Parameter	Default	Description
--account-size	(required)	Account equity in dollars
--risk-pct	0.5	Base risk % per trade
--max-position-pct	10.0	Max single position %
--max-sector-pct	30.0	Max sector exposure %
--max-portfolio-heat-pct	6.0	Max total open risk %
--target-r-multiple	2.0	Take-profit R-multiple
--stop-buffer-pct	1.0	Stop buffer below contraction low
--max-chase-pct	2.0	Max chase above pivot
--pivot-buffer-pct	0.1	Pivot buffer for buy-stop trigger
--current-exposure-json	None	Existing portfolio exposure

Output

breakout_trade_plan_YYYY-MM-DD_HHMMSS.json — Structured plans with order templates
breakout_trade_plan_YYYY-MM-DD_HHMMSS.md — Human-readable report

Resources

references/minervini_entry_rules.md — Entry methodology and rules

Frequently asked questions about Breakout Trade Planner

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