Interactive toolRuns in your browser

Post-Trade Review Template

Structure the quick debrief after a trade — what you planned, what you did, where they diverged, the emotion involved and the one lesson — into a note you can keep.

Quick answer: The post-trade review template captures the debrief that most traders skip. It prompts you to record what you planned, what you actually did, where the two diverged, the strongest emotion during the trade, a process grade and one lesson, then assembles them into a structured note you can copy or download. The gap between plan and action is where nearly all avoidable losses live, so writing it down turns each trade into a piece of deliberate practice rather than a forgotten event. Reviewing on process — not just on the P&L — is how professionals compound skill over time.

Trade (instrument / date)Result

What I planned

What I actually did

Deviations from the plan

Strongest emotionProcess grade

One lesson for next time

How to use it

Write the plan honestly, then the reality, then name the deviations without excuses — the deviations field is the whole point of the exercise. Grade on process so that a well-executed loss can still earn an A and a rule-breaking win an honest C. Keep the lesson to one specific, actionable change. Copy or download the note into your journal. Doing this consistently, especially after losses, is what separates traders who improve from those who merely accumulate screen time.

Frequently asked questions

Why focus on deviations from the plan?

The plan is the decision you made when calm; the deviation is usually the decision you made when emotional. Cataloguing exactly where you moved a stop, added size or bailed early exposes the specific habits costing you money, which vague self-criticism never does.

Should I review winning trades too?

Yes. A win from a broken plan is a warning, not a reward — it teaches your brain that indiscipline pays, which it eventually will not. Reviewing wins also confirms which parts of your process are working and worth protecting.

How is this different from a full journal entry?

The journal captures the trade's facts; this review focuses tightly on the plan-versus-action gap and the single lesson. Many traders write a journal entry at entry and a post-trade review at exit, using both tools together.

What makes a good lesson line?

Specificity and controllability. Wait for the retest before entering is a good lesson; trade better is not. If you cannot act on the lesson in your next session, rewrite it until you can.

Does reviewing trades improve my results?

It improves the quality of your decisions and your rate of learning, which is what you can influence. It cannot guarantee profits, because outcomes also depend on the market. Consistent review is a way to stack the odds in your favour over time, not a certainty.

Is my review stored on a server?

No. The note is built in your browser and only leaves your device when you copy or download it. Nothing is transmitted or retained remotely.

Runs entirely in your browser — no data leaves your device. Illustrative and educational only; real-world charges and market conditions apply in practice.