---
name: desk-tick
description: One tick of a desk's trading loop on pathiel, for the desk id given as the argument (oil, metals, ai, gas). Sweep, levels, brief, one decision, one log line. Run on a schedule with /loop 15m /desk-tick oil. Live money on the pathiel wallet.
---

# desk-tick $ARGUMENTS

One tick for desk `$ARGUMENTS` (default `oil` if empty). One position per
account until the wallet is funded for more (the risk profile's
`max_open_positions`). Max 10x. Never chase. Every number comes from a tool
or a script, never from mental arithmetic.

## Steps, in order

0. **Slot first, before anything else.** `python3 scripts/desk_slot.py --desk $ARGUMENTS`.
   If `slot` is `held` and `mine` is false, another desk's coin holds the
   account's one slot: write the log line
   `DESK-TICK $ARGUMENTS <utc> action=SKIP slot held by <holder>` and STOP.
   No brief, no levels, no MCP calls. The desk that holds the slot is the
   only desk that ticks (operator rule, 2026-10-23).
1. **Thesis first.** `desk_brief {desk: "$ARGUMENTS"}` (quick). The call's
   instrument is COIN for the rest of the tick (oil: xyz:BRENTOIL, metals:
   xyz:GOLD or xyz:SILVER, ai: whichever equity the call names, gas:
   xyz:NATGAS). The card shows "Pays X.XR"; a call under 1.5R never trades.
   Call `desk_refresh` only when the brief says the thesis is stale or
   expired, or a headline moved the market more than 1.5%; at most once an
   hour per desk (about $0.35 a rewrite).
2. **Housekeeping.** `bracket_sweep {coin: COIN}`. Cancels the sibling left
   after a stop or target fired; reports a resting entry with its attached
   stop and target; says whether an open position is covered. "NOT FULLY
   COVERED" means a 10x position is naked: `close_position` it in the same
   tick, sweep again, report to Julien at once.
3. **Levels.** `python3 scripts/oil_levels.py --coin COIN`: mid, last closed
   1h candle, 8h/24h/48h range, ATR14, 15m micro range.
   `python3 scripts/oil_levels.py --check ENTRY STOP TP --lev 20` judges a
   level: the R gate and the 20x line.
4. **Julien's own wallet** (oil tick only, read only):
   `python3 scripts/watch_wallet.py 0x8debbedbdc603769549a6277fed38dae65185019`.
   If `any_naked` is true, tell him once per position, then only if the
   liquidation distance shrinks under 1.5%.
5. **Account slot.** Step 0 already answered it: a free slot or ours.
   (`place_bracket` refuses a taken slot on its own as well.)
6. **Decide.** Exactly one of:
   - **In a position on COIN:** HOLD. `close_position` only if the thesis
     invalidation triggered on a CLOSED hourly candle, or a headline from
     the brief's `what_changes_my_mind` landed. After any close, sweep again.
   - **Flat with a resting entry on COIN:** keep it if `--check` still
     passes AND the entry is within one ATR14 of the mid or still on a
     current structural edge (within 0.25 ATR of the 8h or 24h range low
     for a long, high for a short). Otherwise `cancel_order {order_id, coin}`
     and fall through.
   - **Flat, slot free, nothing resting:** one setup in the thesis
     direction, anchored on structure: a pullback to the 8h or 24h range
     edge, or a breakout retest. Stop beyond the structure, target at the
     next structure, `--check` must say ok. `place_bracket {coin, entry_px,
     stop_px, tp_px}` with `entry_px` set (resting limit). Let the tool
     size it. No setup: no trade, one clause why.
7. **Log.** Append one line to `/tmp/oil-loop/progress.log` and print it:
   `DESK-TICK $ARGUMENTS <utc> coin=<COIN> mid=<mid> pos=<size@entry or flat> action=<HOLD|PLACED|CANCELLED|CLOSED|NONE> <reason, under 15 words>`

## Hard rules

- A market entry only when `--check` with the live mid as ENTRY passes.
- Never widen a stop. Never add. One position per account until funded.
- If `place_bracket` or `bracket_sweep` is missing from the tool list, do
  nothing and log `action=NONE reconnect pathiel MCP (/mcp)`.
- Any tool error on a live-money call: stop the tick, report it verbatim.
- Report to Julien only when something changed. A HOLD tick is the log
  line only.