TL;DR
Specify entry, contract selection, premium budget and both market and time exits before creating an options draft. The saved SPY long-call example enters above its 50-day average with no matching position, selects a 30 to 45 DTE call and uses a $1,000 premium budget. Its first simulated round trip earned $1.51 after commissions. Inspect selected quotes, quantities and closes separately from validation, and keep broad close rules away from unrelated matching positions.
See the first actual opening and close
Show the table · 2 rows, 6 columns
Scroll sideways to compare all columns. Select a heading to sort.
| 2024-01-02 14:31:00 | SPY240202C00472000 | Buy to open | 1 | $8.6544 | $0.65 |
| 2024-01-19 14:31:00 | SPY240202C00472000 | Sell to close | 1 | $8.6825 | $0.65 |
No matching rows. Clear the filter to see all records.
A separate detailed run completed on 2026-10-10 with the same saved candidate, fixed dates and fees. It reproduced the lightweight result retained in the linked source record. The captured opening condition had SPY at $472.16, SMA50 at $461.57 and matching-position count 0. Both entry checks were true.
The first position opened on January 2 and closed on January 19, 2024, at 14 DTE. The time-exit close evaluation emitted 1 order. These are simulated Filled orders, not broker executions. The first position's P&L was $1.51 after recorded commissions, calculated from all its opening and closing premiums and quantities.
Compare the selected-candidate bid, ask and mid with the Filled-order premium. Follow the contract symbols and timestamps to connect selection, sizing and execution.
Start with the saved SPY long-call rules
Show the table · 7 rows, 2 columns
| Input | Saved example |
|---|---|
| Underlying | SPY |
| Entry | Price > SMA(50, Day) AND matching OptionPositionCount = 0 |
| Purchased call | ATM; nearest expiration 30 to 45 days away; ratio 1 |
| Premium allocation | $1,000 dollars; whole contracts must fit the resolved debit |
| Close | Whole matching position when price <= SMA50, or at 14 or fewer DTE |
| Order execution | Market; actual fills and fees are not shown by an authoring preview |
| Product readback | 3 saved rules; inactive paper example; zero positions; automated approval disabled |
No matching rows. Clear the filter to see all records.
We built this long call in NexusTrade on October 10, 2026. The authoring preview returned valid with no issues. We saved the three rules in a chat draft, then saved the same rules in a dedicated inactive paper example for inspection in the native editor. Its readback confirmed paper, isActive:false, $10,000 simulated cash, zero positions and automated approval disabled. The captured trade walkthrough is near the top; the full backtest and rule details remain below.
The example uses SPY to demonstrate how an ETF option selector resolves. Starting simulated capital is $10,000. Each opening uses a $1,000 premium budget. The entry checks SPY price above its 50-day average and zero matching long-call positions. After a close, the rule may enter again when those conditions are true.
Calculate what this recorded trade earned
The displayed premiums changed from $8.6544 to $8.6825. For 1 contract with multiplier 100, ($8.6825 − $8.6544) × 100 − $0.65 − $0.65 = $1.51 after the two recorded commissions. This calculation uses the displayed rounded premiums. The contract closed before expiration, so an expiration-payoff formula would answer a different question.
Its opening checks were SPY above SMA50 and zero matching option positions. The complete source preserves those indicator values, selected contract, quote, fill and close. Compare the first trade with the full-year curve before attributing the whole return to this one position.
Write rules the builder can test
A strategy needs more than a name such as long call. Specify when to open, which contracts qualify, how much capital to use and when to close. The long call and bull call spread walkthroughs use SPY, a price above its 50-day average, a $1,000 premium budget and two exit rules. Other strategies declare their own signals and sizing. These choices define an educational test, not a recommendation.
Show the table · 5 rows, 3 columns
Scroll sideways to compare all columns. Select a heading to sort.
| Entry | SPY price > SMA(50, Day) and zero matching long calls | An existing matching position prevents another opening. |
| Contracts | ATM call; nearest expiry between 30 and 45 DTE | Actual symbol, strike and expiry chosen on each signal. |
| Allocation | $1,000 dollars from $10,000 starting capital | Whole-contract quantity, debit, commissions and buying power. |
| Trend exit | SPY price <= SMA(50, Day) | Close all matching SPY spreads, not just one leg. |
| Time exit | 14 or fewer days to expiration | A separate close rule with maxDte 14. |
No matching rows. Clear the filter to see all records.
Build a reviewable draft with Aurora
Use the prepared request in the walkthrough above. Compare the returned saved rules with this guide’s exact entry, exit and sizing before planning a test.
Create an undeployed research draft named SPY long call with $10,000 initial value. Underlying SPY. Open a custom long call only when Price(SPY) > SMA(SPY,50,Day) AND matching long call custom OptionPositionCount equals zero. Allocate $1,000 dollars. Buy an at-the-money (ATM) call, ratio 1, nearest expiration 30 to 45 days away. Close all matching SPY custom spreads when Price(SPY) <= SMA(SPY,50,Day). Add a separate close-all matching-spread rule with maxDte 14. Review the draft, correct any validation issues, save it and show its exact saved rules and identifier. Keep automated trading off. Stop after saving.Check the same inputs in the native editor
For a paper portfolio, open Strategies, choose Open Options Position and the Long Call or Bull Call Spread preset. Set Underlying Asset, each leg's strike distance, Min DTE, Max DTE, expiration preference and Allocation. Add conditions and both Close Options Position rules separately. The preset supplies legs; it does not supply the whole strategy.
A chat draft and a native paper portfolio use different routes. In Portfolio, choose Drafts to inspect a chat draft or open it in Aurora. The native Strategies editor belongs to a paper or live portfolio. Keep the authoring example inactive and separate from other matching SPY positions, since close-all rules may close those too.
Compare your draft with tested examples
The strategy guides include exact authoring configurations, saved rule inputs and completed historical backtests. The long call and bull call spread also show the Python authoring example. Use those records to compare your own draft before submitting a test.
Plan a separate variant and later test
Review the optional next experiment
Keep one changed variant separate from the original. After the development comparison, freeze a chosen version before selecting a later period that has not influenced its rules.
Create one variant, then test unseen dates
Ask: "Change only the timed close trigger from 14 DTE to 10 DTE. Show the rule diff and compare both candidates on the 2024 development period with every other setting fixed." After choosing, freeze the rules and select another test period you have not inspected. The displayed 2024 results already make 2024 a viewed development period. Keep any later revisions in a new research cycle.
Create and backtest with Python
Use the Python SDK route
Python SDK 1.42.0. Save the runner below as run_long_call.py.
Install and download
python3 -m pip install nexustrade==1.42.0
export NEXUSTRADE_API_KEY="YOUR_API_KEY"
curl --fail --output long_call.py https://nexustrade.io/seo/strategy-examples/long-call.py
Create, test and inspect
from long_call import create_long_call, backtest_long_call
book = create_long_call()
completed = backtest_long_call()
print(completed["result"])
Run
python3 run_long_call.py
Python strategy and backtest functions
View complete Python SDK functions
The backtest function submits the 2024 test with SPY as its benchmark, records events and waits for the result. Use a new request key when changing rules, dates or fees.
import nexustrade as nt
def create_long_call():
asset = nt.stock_asset("SPY")
return nt.portfolio(
"Public SEO example - Long call",
[
nt.strategy(
"Open Long call",
((nt.Price(asset) > nt.SMA(asset, 50, "Day")) & (nt.OptionPositionCount("SPY", "call", "long", "custom") == nt.Value(0))),
nt.open_option(
builder=nt.options_builder(
legs=[nt.leg(option_type="call", direction="long", min_days_to_expiration=30, max_days_to_expiration=45, preference="nearest", distance=0, ratio=1)],
underlying_symbol="SPY",
spread_type="custom"
),
allocation={'type': 'dollars', 'amount': 1000}
)
),
nt.strategy(
"Close when trend breaks",
(nt.Price(asset) <= nt.SMA(asset, 50, "Day")),
nt.close_option(
underlyings=['SPY'],
spread_type="custom",
close_scope="spread",
quantity={'type': 'all'}
)
),
nt.strategy(
"Close at 14 DTE",
(nt.Value(1) > nt.Value(0)),
nt.close_option(
underlyings=['SPY'],
spread_type="custom",
close_scope="spread",
quantity={'type': 'all'},
triggers=[nt.dte_trigger(max_dte=14)]
)
),
],
initial_value=10000,
alerts_enabled=False,
)
def backtest_long_call(client=None):
client = client or nt.NexusTradeClient.from_environment()
operation = client.create_backtest(
nt.backtest(
create_long_call(),
start_date="2024-01-01", end_date="2024-12-31",
interval="Day", baseline_symbol="SPY",
initial_value=10000, generate_events=True,
dividend_policy="cash",
fee_config={"Stock": {"type": "percent", "amount": 0.1},
"Cryptocurrency": {"type": "percent", "amount": 0.7},
"Option": {"type": "dollars", "amount": 0.65}},
),
idempotency_key="explore-long-call-2024-spy-v1",
)
return client.wait_for_backtest(operation["id"])
# Build locally: book = create_long_call()
# Run and inspect: completed = backtest_long_call(); print(completed["result"])
Create and backtest with TypeScript
Use the TypeScript SDK route
TypeScript SDK 1.42.0. Save the runner below as run-long-call.ts.
Install and download
npm install nexustrade@1.42.0
npm install --save-dev tsx
export NEXUSTRADE_API_KEY="YOUR_API_KEY"
curl --fail --output long-call.ts https://nexustrade.io/seo/strategy-examples/long-call.ts
Create, test and inspect
import { createLongCall, backtestLongCall } from "./long-call";
async function main() {
const book = createLongCall();
const completed = await backtestLongCall();
console.log(completed.result);
}
main().catch((error: unknown) => {
console.error(error);
process.exitCode = 1;
});
Run
npx tsx run-long-call.ts
TypeScript strategy and backtest functions
View complete TypeScript SDK functions
The same rules, dates and fees are used in both SDKs. The backtest function keeps its request key across retries.
import * as nt from "nexustrade";
export function createLongCall() {
const asset = nt.stockAsset("SPY");
return nt.portfolio(
"Public SEO example - Long call",
[
nt.strategy(
"Open Long call",
nt.and(
nt.gt(nt.Price(asset), nt.SMA(asset, 50, "Day")),
nt.eq(nt.OptionPositionCount("SPY", "call", "long", "custom"), nt.Value(0))
),
nt.openOption({ builder: nt.optionsBuilder({ legs: [nt.leg({ optionType: "call", direction: "long", minDaysToExpiration: 30, maxDaysToExpiration: 45, preference: "nearest", distance: 0, ratio: 1 })], underlyingSymbol: "SPY", spreadType: "custom" }), allocation: {"type": "dollars", "amount": 1000} })
),
nt.strategy(
"Close when trend breaks",
nt.lte(nt.Price(asset), nt.SMA(asset, 50, "Day")),
nt.closeOption({ underlyings: ["SPY"], spreadType: "custom", closeScope: "spread", quantity: {"type": "all"} })
),
nt.strategy(
"Close at 14 DTE",
nt.gt(nt.Value(1), nt.Value(0)),
nt.closeOption({ underlyings: ["SPY"], spreadType: "custom", closeScope: "spread", quantity: {"type": "all"}, triggers: [nt.dteTrigger({ maxDte: 14 })] })
),
],
{ initialValue: 10000, alertsEnabled: false }
);
}
export async function backtestLongCall(client = new nt.NexusTradeClient()) {
const operation = await client.createBacktest(
nt.backtest(createLongCall(), {
startDate: "2024-01-01", endDate: "2024-12-31",
interval: "Day", baselineSymbol: "SPY",
initialValue: 10000, generateEvents: true,
dividendPolicy: "cash",
feeConfig: {
Stock: { type: "percent", amount: 0.1 },
Cryptocurrency: { type: "percent", amount: 0.7 },
Option: { type: "dollars", amount: 0.65 },
},
}),
{ idempotencyKey: "explore-long-call-2024-spy-v1" }
);
if (typeof operation.id !== "string") throw new Error("Missing backtest ID");
return client.waitForBacktest(operation.id);
}
// Build locally: const book = createLongCall();
// Run and inspect: const completed = await backtestLongCall(); console.log(completed.result);
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