shapes

This lets you place markers or icons directly on your chart, like arrows, circles, or text labels. Think of it as a way to visually highlight signals: for example, put a green arrow below the bar when you want to show a “buy signal,” or a red arrow above the bar for a “sell signal”.

Syntax

plot.shapes(title, value, text, color, textColor, plottype, location, size, offset?, transparency?, id?)

Parameters

• title string — Name of the shape series (shown in settings).

• value number — The bar or point where the shape should appear.

• text string — Text label to show with the shape (optional, can be empty).

• color string — Color of the shape (like "green" or "rgba(0,255,0,0.8)").

• textColor string — Color of the text label.

• plottype PlotShapeId (string) — What kind of shape to draw (arrow up, arrow down, circle, square, etc.).

  • shape_arrow_down

  • shape_arrow_up

  • shape_circle

  • shape_cross

  • shape_xcross

  • shape_diamond

  • shape_flag

  • shape_square

  • shape_label_down

  • shape_label_up

  • shape_triangle_down

  • shape_triangle_up

• location MarkLocation (string) — Where to place the shape (above bar, below bar, on price).

  • AboveBar

  • BelowBar

  • Top

  • Bottom

  • Right

  • Left

  • Absolute

  • AbsoluteUp

  • AbsoluteDown

• size PlotSymbolSize (string) Size of the shape.

  • auto

  • tiny

  • small

  • normal

  • large

  • huge

• offset number (Optional) Bar offset. Positive values move the shape to the right, negative values to the left.

• transparency number (optional) — How transparent the shape should be (0 = solid, higher = more transparent).

• id string (optional) — Custom identifier if you want control.

Return Value

{ value, id } — The shape data and its identifier.

Example

//@version=1
// --------------------
// Init (config & inputs)
// --------------------
init = () => {
    // Indicator on the main chart panel
    indicator({ onMainPanel: true, format: 'inherit' });

    // Toggle to enable/disable signals
    input.bool('Show signals', true, 'showSignals', 'Signals', 'Show markers');
};

// --------------------
// onTick (logic)
// --------------------
onTick = (length, _moment, _unused, ta, inputs) => {
    const showSignals = inputs.showSignals;

    if (!showSignals) return;

    // Draw only every 40 bars (change 40 to any value you want)
    if (index % 40 === 0) {
        const o = openC(0);
        const c = closeC(0);

        if ([o, c].some((v) => v === undefined || isNaN(v))) return;

        const isBull = c >= o;

        if (isBull) {
            // BUY: green arrow below the bar
            plot.shapes(
                'Signals',
                c,
                'BUY',
                'rgba(0, 200, 0, 0.9)',
                '#FFFFFF',
                'shape_arrow_up',
                'BelowBar',
                'normal',
                0,
                0,
                'buy_signal',
            );
        } else {
            // SELL: red arrow above the bar
            plot.shapes(
                'Signals',
                c,
                'SELL',
                'rgba(220, 0, 0, 0.9)',
                '#FFFFFF',
                'shape_arrow_down',
                'AboveBar',
                'normal',
                0,
                0,
                'sell_signal',
            );
        }
    }
};

Result

Tips

• Use arrows for buy/sell, circles or labels for special events.

• You can mix shapes and text: for example, a red arrow with “Sell” on it.

Warning

• If you don’t choose the right location, your shape might overlap price bars or get lost in the chart.

• Avoid using too many shapes at once, or your chart will look messy.

Good Practice

• Keep your signals clear: green for buy, red for sell, yellow for alerts.

• Use shapes to highlight the important moments only, not every single bar.