Gunbot has evolved a lot since its early days, yet some of the older strategies still deserve a spotlight. StepGrid is one of those veterans. With every new release users flock to fresh buzzwords — machine-learning filters, perpetual-futures scalpers, options hedging. Meanwhile StepGrid keeps turning volatility into orderly trades for people who prefer spot markets. This article revives StepGrid, explains why it still works, and walks through a sensible setup without treating any single feature as a silver bullet.
What StepGrid Actually Does
StepGrid builds a staircase of buys as price drifts lower and a staircase of sells as price moves higher. Two features lift it above a plain grid:
Dynamic step sizing: When AUTO_STEP_SIZE is true, the bot measures recent volatility with Average True Range. That value sets how far price must travel before the next order. In quiet sessions steps tighten; in whipsaw sessions they widen.Cost-aware exits: The engine tracks an all-in break-even level that includes fees already paid. It will not sell part of the bag unless that slice clears fees. Helpful, but not magic. A flash crash or a thin book can still surprise the algorithm.
Together these features reduce random churn and help the position leave the market with its costs covered, but there is nothing holy about them. They are tools, not guarantees.
Three Knobs That Shape Most Outcomes
You could tweak dozens of options, yet ninety percent of live behavior comes down to three parameters:
TRADING_LIMIT: Capital per buy. Decide how much capital a single ladder step should deploy. Multiply this value by MAX_BUY_COUNT to see the worst-case inventory you will carry.MAX_BUY_COUNT: The maximum number of buys during one dip. Set it lower for smaller accounts or higher if you want a deeper bucket brigade.AUTO_STEP_SIZE: When true, StepGrid handles spacing on its own. If you have a price-level thesis — say, round numbers or support lines — turn it off and supply a fixed STEP_SIZE.
Optional safety levers:
Set PROTECT_PARTIAL_SELL to true so the bot blocks any sell that fails the fee test.Enable ENFORCE_STEP if you trade illiquid pairs and want strict respect for the current grid spacing.Keep a little quote currency untouched with KEEP_QUOTE in case outbound fees spike.
A Plain-Language Workflow
Dry-run first
Start with WATCH_MODE enabled. Let the bot process at least one daily candle. Check the log for repeated sanity-check errors or skipped steps.Backtest for context
Gunbot Pro offers backtesting variables (BF_SINCE, BF_UNTIL). Replay a bear month and a sideways month. Confirm drawdown is acceptable and every full exit ends green.Go live under supervision
Disable watch mode while you are at the screen. Verify that ATR-derived step width looks sensible and that buys respect MAX_BUY_COUNT.Review weekly
Revisit settings if volatility or exchange fees change. StepGrid is low-maintenance, but not set-and-forget.
Where StepGrid Shines
Spot pairs with tight spreads and consistent depth.Traders who need clear limits on exposure without manual orders.Portfolios that rely on frequent re-entry rather than long holding periods.
When Another Strategy Can Beat It
Ultra-fast scalping on one-minute charts where trailing may lag.Multi-week single-direction trends: momentum engines often perform better.Pairs with spreads wider than twice the fee percentage — StepGrid may skip profitable trailers.
Risk Controls That Matter
Calculate worst-case bag size: TRADING_LIMIT × MAX_BUY_COUNT. Keep that below your personal comfort level.Use KEEP_QUOTE so you never run out of funds to pay exit fees.Respect liquidity. Wide spreads distort ATR, so widen steps or enforce manual spacing if needed.Do not turn off fees in your settings to look good on paper. The bot uses that field to guard partial sells.
Final Thoughts
StepGrid is not a holy grail, but it remains a disciplined way to grid-trade spot markets with fee awareness built in. In 2025, when exchange fees and sudden spikes still punish loose grids, that discipline is worth revisiting. Configure a sensible limit, cap your depth, let the bot walk the ladder, and allow an old strategy to earn its keep alongside the new kids on the block.
StepGrid in 2025: Revisiting a Classic Gunbot Strategy was originally published in Mastering Gunbot: Tips and Tutorials from gunbot.com on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
Mastering Gunbot: Tips and Tutorials from gunbot.com – Medium
