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thinkScript learning path

thinkScript Tutorial

Start coding in thinkorswim with a practical thinkScript tutorial. Open the editor, declare variables, plot data, use functions, and build your first study with copyable examples and links to the official Learning Center.

Generate thinkScript with AIView the tutorial steps
FirstStudythinkScript
# Your first thinkScript study
input length = 20;

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

plot SMA = avg;
SMA.SetDefaultColor(Color.CYAN);

AddLabel(yes,
    if isAbove then "Above" else "Below",
    if isAbove then Color.GREEN
    else Color.RED);
input
def + plot
AddLabel
Editor
Built into thinkorswim Charts
Language
thinkScript domain-specific language
Reference
thinkorswim Learning Center

Direct answer

How to start writing thinkScript

thinkScript is the built-in programming language for thinkorswim. You write studies and strategies in the thinkScript Editor, which parses the source and renders plots, labels, and simulated orders on the chart. The Learning Center provides a tutorial series that starts with variables and builds up to strategies.

The fastest way to learn is to open the Editor, type a few lines, and watch the chart update. Each tutorial chapter in the Learning Center includes a quiz so you can check your understanding.

Tutorial steps

Four steps to your first study

  1. 01

    Open the thinkScript Editor

    Go to the Charts tab, click Studies in the upper right, select Edit Studies, then click Create. The Editor opens with a default plot Data = close line.

  2. 02

    Declare variables with def

    Use def to store calculated values. ThinkScript evaluates each def once per bar, and you can reference earlier values with square-bracket offsets like close[1].

  3. 03

    Plot results with plot

    Use plot to draw values on the chart. A plot can be a line, histogram, points, or arrows depending on the painting strategy you assign.

  4. 04

    Add labels and format output

    Use AddLabel to display text on the chart. Combine it with AsText or AsPercent to format numbers, and use Color constants to set label color.

Code examples

Copyable examples by chapter

Each example corresponds to a tutorial chapter in the Learning Center. Paste them into the Editor and add them to a chart to see the output.

Chapter 1: Defining Variables

Defining Variables
# Chapter 1: Defining Variables
def myVariable = close;
def avgPrice = Average(close, 20);
def isAbove = close > avgPrice;

plot SMA = avgPrice;
SMA.SetDefaultColor(Color.CYAN);

def declares a variable. plot draws its value on the chart.

Chapter 2: Mathematical Functions

Mathematical Functions
# Chapter 2: Mathematical Functions
input length = 14;

def highest = Highest(high, length);
def lowest = Low(low, length);
def range = highest - lowest;

plot RangePlot = range;
RangePlot.SetDefaultColor(Color.ORANGE);

Built-in functions like Highest and Low operate on a bar range.

Chapter 9: Formatting Output

Formatting Output
# Chapter 9: Formatting Output
def avg = Average(close, 20);
def trend = if close > avg then "Up" else "Down";

AddLabel(yes, "Trend: " + trend,
    if close > avg then Color.GREEN else Color.RED);

AddLabel displays text. Use Color constants to set the label color.

Learning path

Official tutorial chapters

The Learning Center tutorial series covers thinkScript from variables to strategies. Each chapter includes examples and a quiz.

Frequently asked questions

Learn thinkScript by generating real code

Describe the study or strategy you want in plain English. The Pineify thinkorswim AI Coding Agent generates a complete thinkScript file and explains the code. Read the source to learn the syntax, then paste it into the Editor and test it.

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.