Free NinjaTrader 8 indicator
ICT Unicorn Model indicator for NinjaTrader 8
It finds the Unicorn model: a breaker block and a Fair Value Gap overlapping at the same level. The sequence is a low, a high, a lower low (liquidity sweep), then a break of the high with displacement. Entry in the overlap zone, stop beyond the structure, target on liquidity.
The download takes two steps, from the “Free indicators” section of the home page.
- Platform
- NinjaTrader 8
- File
- NinjaScript (.cs), readable source code
- Calculation
- /outils/calculateur-position-futures,Futures position size calculator,How many contracts for a given risk, with each contract’s tick value.
- Price
- Free
- File updated on
- 8 October 2026
How the indicator works
- Structure. Low, high and lower low points (L, H, LL) confirmed by swing strength. The L → H leg must measure at least 1 × ATR; below that it is noise, not structure.
- Breaker and MSS. After the sweep, the break of the high with displacement (1 × ATR, confirmed on close) turns the last candle of the swing into a breaker block (full candle range by default, or body only).
- Overlap. The FVG left by the displacement must overlap the breaker by at least 1 tick and 0.03 × ATR, within 3 bars after the MSS. That shared zone becomes the Unicorn zone.
- Entry and management. A limit in the middle of the zone (or near edge, far edge), or a confirmation entry at the close of a bar that trades into the zone and closes back beyond it. Stop beyond FVG candle 1 and the breaker, target on the next liquidity pool with an R:R of at least 2. One active trade per direction by default.
- Display. L / H / LL structure, breaker, FVG, Unicorn zone, MSS, sweep and draw on liquidity; optionally, breakers without an FVG and rejected Unicorns (with the reason) in grey.
Markets and timeframes
- Any instrument loaded in NinjaTrader 8: index futures (ES, NQ…), energy, metals, forex. Thresholds combine a floor in ticks with an ATR multiple, so they stay consistent from one market to the next.
- Times are New York time. With the “NewYorkAuto” reference, the conversion from your chart time zone and daylight saving are handled automatically.
- Calculated on every tick in real time; by default the whole loaded history is analysed.
Requirements
- NinjaTrader 8, a desktop platform for Windows. The indicator is free; NinjaTrader is third-party software with its own terms, and it may cost money depending on how you use it (licence, live trading).
- Data. The chart bars are enough: no Tick Replay or market depth needed. Your connection’s data may cost money depending on the exchange and the subscription.
Settings
Each setting is named exactly as NinjaTrader shows it, with its default value read directly from the source code (.cs).
1. Unicorn Model
| Setting | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Allow longs | yes | |
| Allow shorts | yes | |
| Swing strength | 3 | Bars on each side required to confirm the L, H and LL points (and the liquidity pools). |
| Breaker zone | FullRange | FullRange = full range of the last candle of the swing (ICT definition). Body = candle body only. |
| Max bars L -> H | 60 | |
| Min leg L -> H (x ATR) | 1.0 | A leg smaller than the market's normal range is noise, not structure. 0 = off. |
| Max bars H -> sweep (LL) | 60 | |
| Max bars sweep -> MSS | 40 | |
| Min sweep beyond the level (ticks) | 1 | |
| MSS requires a close | yes | |
| ATR period | 14 | |
| Min displacement (x ATR) | 1.0 | Body size required from the candle that breaks structure. 0 = off. |
| FVG grace bars | 3 | Bars after the MSS during which the overlapping FVG may still print. |
| Min FVG size (ticks) | 1 | |
| Min FVG size (x ATR) | 0.05 | |
| Min breaker / FVG overlap (ticks) | 1 | |
| Min breaker / FVG overlap (x ATR) | 0.03 | |
| One active trade per direction | yes |
2. Entry and Management
| Setting | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Entry trigger | Limit | Limit = resting order inside the zone. Confirmation = entry at the close of the first bar that trades into the zone and closes back beyond it. |
| Entry level (Limit mode) | Mid | Proximal = near edge of the zone, Mid = middle, Distal = far edge. |
| Stop | Structure | Structure = beyond FVG candle 1 AND the breaker (default). FvgCandle, Breaker, or SweepExtreme (beyond the LL / HH). |
| Stop buffer (ticks) | 1 | |
| Stop buffer (x ATR) | 0.05 | |
| Target | Liquidity | Liquidity = next liquidity pool (draw on liquidity). FixedRR = multiple of the risk. |
| Min distance to target (ticks) | 8 | |
| Min distance to target (x ATR) | 1.5 | |
| Min R:R | 2.0 | ICT sources: 1:2 minimum. |
| Fixed R:R | 2.0 | |
| Fall back to fixed R:R | yes | When no liquidity pool offers the minimum R:R, aim at the fixed R:R instead of rejecting the setup. |
| Armed setup lifetime (bars) | 40 | |
| Max bars in trade | 200 |
3. Liquidity (Targets)
| Setting | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Equal highs / lows (EQH / EQL) | yes | |
| Equal level tolerance (ticks) | 2 | |
| Equal level tolerance (x ATR) | 0.10 | |
| Previous day high / low (PDH / PDL) | yes | |
| Trading day start (NY hour) | 18 | 18 = CME futures trading day. |
| Session highs / lows (Asia, London, NY AM) | yes | |
| Level memory (bars) | 3000 |
4. Killzones (New York Time)
| Setting | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Filter by killzone | no | OFF by default: the model runs 24/7. ON: the MSS must print inside an active killzone. |
| Time reference | NewYorkAuto | NewYorkAuto = times are New York times, converted from the chart time zone (daylight saving handled). |
| Manual offset (hours) | 0 | |
| Killzone 1 - enabled | yes | |
| Killzone 1 - name | London | |
| Killzone 1 - start (HHMM) | 200 | 200 = 02:00, 1330 = 13:30. |
| Killzone 1 - end (HHMM) | 500 | |
| Killzone 2 - enabled | yes | |
| Killzone 2 - name | NY AM | |
| Killzone 2 - start (HHMM) | 700 | |
| Killzone 2 - end (HHMM) | 1000 | |
| Killzone 3 - enabled | yes | |
| Killzone 3 - name | NY PM | |
| Killzone 3 - start (HHMM) | 1330 | |
| Killzone 3 - end (HHMM) | 1600 |
5. Real Time
| Setting | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Calculate on every tick (real time) | yes | |
| History analysed (bars, 0 = all) | 0 |
6. Display
| Setting | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Structure (L / H / LL) | yes | |
| Breaker block | yes | |
| FVG | yes | |
| Unicorn zone (overlap) | yes | |
| MSS | yes | |
| Sweep | yes | |
| Entry / stop / target | yes | |
| Breakers without FVG (grey) | no | Also shows confirmed breakers that did not produce a Unicorn. |
| Rejected Unicorns (grey) | no | Shows Unicorns that were refused (killzone, R:R, trade already active) with the reason. |
| Draw on liquidity (DOL) | yes | |
| DOL levels per side | 3 | |
| Labels | yes | |
| Dashboard | yes | |
| Setups kept on chart (0 = all) | 60 | |
| Breaker / FVG opacity (%) | 14 | |
| Unicorn zone opacity (%) | 45 |
7. Alerts
| Setting | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Alert on Unicorn armed | yes | |
| Alert on entry | yes | |
| Alert on target / stop | no | |
| Sound file | Alert3.wav | File name from the NinjaTrader sounds folder. |
| Alert rearm (seconds) | 15 |
8. Trading Evolution
| Setting | Default | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Show logo | yes | |
| Show name | yes | |
| Logo position | TopLeft | |
| Logo size (px) | 54 | |
| Logo opacity (%) | 55 | |
| Diagnostic mode (Output window) | no |
12 colours you can customise in NinjaTrader's Colours tab.
Installation in NinjaTrader 8
- Download the free pack (ZIP file) that contains the indicator from the Free indicators section of the home page.
- In NinjaTrader 8, open Tools › Import › NinjaScript Add-On, choose the ZIP file, then restart NinjaTrader.
- Activate your free license: Control Center › New › Trading Evolution License, then save your key.
- On a chart, open the indicator list (right-click › Indicators) and add “TRADING EVOLUTION - Unicorn”.
Common problems and fixes
- Nothing shows. Load enough history (several days intraday): the model needs swings and complete sessions to detect a setup.
- The indicator is not in the list. Check that the pack import (Tools › Import › NinjaScript Add-On) finished without an error, then restart NinjaTrader. NinjaTrader compiles every script together: an error in another installed script can block the import, so fix or remove that script. If the tool shows a license message, save your free key in Control Center › New › Trading Evolution License.
- “Already contains a definition” error. An older copy of the same indicator exists under another file name: delete it, then compile again.
Limitations
- It is an indicator, not an automated strategy: it sends no orders and manages no positions.
- Thresholds (swing strength, displacement, FVG size, minimum R:R) are setting choices, not official ICT rules. Adjust them to your market and timeframe.
- The “won” or “lost” trades shown refer to the loaded history. They say nothing about future results.
- No signal is guaranteed: futures trading involves a risk of losing capital.
Frequently asked questions
Is the indicator free?
Yes, the indicator is free (free pack and free license), with no subscription. It requires NinjaTrader 8, third-party software with its own terms of use.
Does it place orders?
No. It draws the setups and can play sound alerts, but you decide and you place your own orders.
What is a breaker block?
The last candle of a swing that swept liquidity before price broke structure the other way. In the Unicorn model it must be overlapped by a Fair Value Gap.
Does the model run around the clock?
Yes, by default. The killzone filter (London, NY AM, NY PM) is off; when on, the MSS must print inside an active killzone.
Related concepts and tools
Other free NinjaTrader 8 indicators
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Educational content. These indicators are not investment advice and guarantee no result. Futures trading involves a risk of loss that can exceed the initial investment. Terms of use · Disclaimers