Gator Oscillator — Expansion/Contraction of Trend (MT4)

The Gator Oscillator (Bill Williams) visualizes the distance between Alligator lines — Jaw–Teeth and Teeth–Lips — as a two‑sided histogram. When both sides expand (green) the trend is active; when both contract (red) the market is sleepy/ranging. Great as a regime filter and add‑on timing tool on MetaTrader 4.

What it shows

• Two histograms around zero: upper = |Jaw−Teeth|, lower = |Teeth−Lips| (with color state).
• Phase logic: sleep → awaken → eat → sated, via contraction/expansion combinations.
• (Optional) alerts on color flips, new extremes, or both‑green/both‑red states.
• Works standalone or with Alligator / Fractals.

Trade ideas

1. Trend gate: trade your system only when both sides are green (expansion) in the intended direction.
2. Add‑on on expansion: pyramid while histograms expand and price makes HH/HL or LL/LH.
3. Take‑profit/Reduce: when one side turns red, scale out; both red → stand aside.
4. Breakout filter: require Gator expansion on break to avoid paper moves.

Inputs that matter

• Alligator periods (Jaw/Teeth/Lips) and shift — Gator is derived from them.
• Smoothing/MA method (if available).
• Colors & alerts — flips, extremes, both‑green/both‑red.

Suggested usage

• M5–M15: intraday regime filter & add‑ons.
• M30–H4: trend continuation and trail logic.
• Daily+: bias/regime map for swing.

Installation (MT4)

1. Open MetaTrader 4 → File → Open Data Folder.
2. Copy Gator Indicator.ex4 to MQL4/Indicators.
3. Restart MT4 (or refresh Navigator) and attach Gator Oscillator.
4. Adjust inputs → OK.

FAQ

Does it repaint? No on closed bars.
Use in EAs? Yes, via iCustom.
Markets? FX, indices, metals, crypto — anything on MT4.

Disclaimer: Always test on a demo first; risk management matters.