You can backtest manually by going to Backtesting in the left sidebar and clicking Backtest on Your Own. From there, you can start a session from scratch or start with a Scenario.
Open Backtesting
Log into TradeZella and click Backtesting in the left sidebar. If you don't have any sessions yet, you'll see two options: Backtest on Your Own and Automated Backtesting.
Click Backtest on Your Own
This opens manual backtesting, where you can start from scratch or pick a Scenario.
Option 1: Start from scratch
Create a session by choosing your symbol, date range, and starting balance. This works the same as it always has — see How to Create a Backtesting Session for the full walkthrough.
Option 2: Start with a Scenario
Scenarios help you focus your practice on the right setup and the right periods. Each Scenario includes:
Context — what the setup is, what to look for, and how to practice it
Practicing Periods — the specific periods worth backtesting for this setup (for example, the New York session from 8:00 to 16:30). You can skip everything outside these periods.
Strategy Rules — a Strategy with entry and exit criteria, created for you automatically
Click Backtest This Scenario
The symbol and period are already selected based on the Scenario. Just enter a session name and starting balance, then create your session.
Use the Scenario tab during your session
Your session opens in the same backtesting window as always, with one addition: a Scenario tab in the sidebar. It includes:
Preparation — a checklist to get ready for your session, like opening the right chart layout and timeframe. Check off each step as you go.
Context — the Scenario details, so you can reference them while you trade
Everything else works exactly like regular manual backtesting — play the candles forward, place your orders, and your trades are journaled automatically.
Video Walkthrough:
Check out our video walkthrough of manual backtesting. (Coming Soon)
If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to our support team — we're here to help!