thinkScript is the built-in programming language for the thinkorswim platform. You write studies and strategies in the thinkScript Editor, and thinkorswim parses the source and renders plots, labels, alerts, and simulated strategy orders on the chart.

Is thinkScript the same as Pine Script?

No. Pine Script is the language used on TradingView. thinkScript is the language used in thinkorswim. They share some concepts like plots, inputs, and historical offsets, but the syntax, function names, and platform behavior differ.

How do I open the thinkScript Editor in thinkorswim?

Open the Charts tab, click Studies in the upper right, select Edit Studies, then click Create. The Editor window opens with a default plot Data = close line that you replace with your own source.

Can thinkScript place live orders?

No. AddOrder in a thinkScript strategy adds simulated orders to the chart for backtesting. thinkorswim does not send those orders to a brokerage account. Review the strategy report and test assumptions before relying on results.

Where is the official thinkScript documentation?

The thinkorswim Learning Center hosts the thinkScript tutorials, function reference, constants, declarations, and reserved words. The reference covers every built-in function and constant with syntax and examples.

Can Pineify write thinkScript for me?

Yes. The Pineify thinkorswim AI Coding Agent generates editable single-file thinkScript studies and strategies from plain English. You review the source in Pineify, then paste it into the thinkScript Editor and test it on a chart.

thinkorswim programming language

thinkScript

thinkScript is the built-in programming language for thinkorswim. You write studies and strategies in the thinkScript Editor, and the platform renders plots, labels, alerts, and simulated orders on the chart.

Generate thinkScript with AI Browse thinkScript guides

HelloWorldStudythinkScript

input length = 20;

def avg = Average(close, length);
def isAbove = close > avg;

plot SMA = avg;
plot Signal = if isAbove then close else Double.NaN;

SMA.SetDefaultColor(Color.CYAN);
Signal.SetPaintingStrategy(PaintingStrategy.ARROW_UP);
Signal.SetDefaultColor(Color.GREEN);

AddLabel(yes, if isAbove then "Above SMA" else "Below SMA",
    if isAbove then Color.GREEN else Color.RED);

inputs

plots

labels

Platform: thinkorswim desktop and web
Output types: Studies, strategies, watchlist columns
Editor: Built-in thinkScript Editor

Direct answer

What thinkScript is and what it builds

thinkScript is a domain-specific language embedded in thinkorswim. You use it to create custom chart studies, backtesting strategies, watchlist columns, and conditional alerts. The language provides built-in access to price data (open, high, low, close, volume), technical analysis functions, and visual output controls.

A study calculates values and plots them on the chart. A strategy does the same and adds simulated orders with AddOrder so you can review a backtest report. Both are single-file scripts written in the thinkScript Editor.

Open the Editor

In thinkorswim, go to Charts, click Studies, select Edit Studies, then click Create to open the thinkScript Editor with a default plot.

Write or paste source

Replace the default line with your study or strategy. Use def for variables, input for parameters, plot for visual output, and AddOrder for simulated strategies.

Parse and add to chart

Let the Editor check the syntax. Resolve any messages, save the study, and add it to a chart to inspect the plots, labels, and strategy behavior.

thinkScript guides

Topic pages with copyable code

Each guide covers one thinkScript feature with a complete code example, platform steps, and official source links.

Language building blocks

Core thinkScript concepts

Concept	Keyword or function	What it does
Variable	def	Stores a calculated value for reuse in the script.
Input parameter	input	Exposes a configurable value in the study settings.
Visual output	plot	Draws a line, point, or histogram on the chart.
Historical offset	close[1]	References the value from a previous bar.
Chart label	AddLabel	Adds text to the chart with a condition and color.
Simulated order	AddOrder	Adds a backtest order when a condition is true.
Painting style	SetPaintingStrategy	Changes how a plot is drawn on the chart.
Color	Color constants	Sets plot, label, and background colors.

Primary sources

Official thinkScript references

The thinkorswim Learning Center hosts the full language reference, tutorials, and function documentation.

Frequently asked questions

Write thinkScript without memorizing the syntax

Describe the study or strategy you need in plain English. The Pineify thinkorswim AI Coding Agent generates a complete, editable thinkScript file. Review the source, then paste it into the thinkScript Editor and test it on a chart.

Open the thinkScript AI agent

This page is for educational and informational purposes. It does not provide investment advice, predict future prices, or guarantee trading results.