VWAP Tension Bands + Osc Sigma Gap [MAXmks]Hello Traders,
This indicator started as an accident. I was building a different tool — a multi-metric dashboard — and added VWAP deviation as one of the components. I expected it to help catch falling knives. It didn't.
But I noticed something else. During cooling-off periods — when volatility fades and price just sits there, not really going anywhere — VWAP deviation on lower timeframes would start climbing quietly. And more often than not, a pullback followed. Sometimes a liquidity sweep first, then a pullback. I watched this pattern for months before deciding to build a dedicated tool around it, adding oscillator confirmation to filter the noise.
This is that tool.
The core idea
Markets act like a rubber band around VWAP — the further price stretches, the higher the tension. But raw deviation isn't enough. The real question: is momentum confirming the stretch, or lagging behind?
The σ-Gap captures when these two disagree — price pushed hard, but internals haven't caught up. That's where mean-reversion setups tend to appear.
The indicator tracks VWAP deviation across 2m / 5m / 15m simultaneously and compares it against a composite of momentum oscillators (Williams %R, CVD-based metrics). Signals require multi-timeframe consensus — no single timeframe can trigger alone.
Adaptive thresholds
What counts as "extreme" isn't fixed. Distance is measured in standard deviations (σ) , not pips or percentages — so the indicator adapts to volatility automatically. Thresholds scale with regime and historical distribution, adjusting to current market conditions in real time.
Two modes
Standard — adaptive thresholds, more signals. Good for active sessions and exploration.
High Precision — adds divergence confirmation from multiple oscillators (MFI, Delta RSI, CVD Z-Score). Fewer signals, higher selectivity.
Extreme Tension
When σ-Gap exceeds 1.6× the threshold, the indicator can fire without full confirmation. Rare, but these are the "overstretched" moments worth watching.
Filters (so you don't trade ghosts)
RVOL filter blocks signals during low activity. Session close filter avoids entries near VWAP reset. 24h volume filter skips illiquid instruments. Cooldown prevents signal clustering in the same direction.
Best use case
Built for short-term mean-reversion — quick snapback plays on 5m–15m charts where price overextends and reverts within a few candles. The engine is optimized for this rhythm, not for trend-following or swings.
On-chart
Tension Bands show dynamic threshold zones around VWAP. Signals are non-repainting and confirmed on bar close. Compact HUD displays all metrics, filter states, and signal status in real time.
Alerts
Pre-signal alerts when conditions start forming. Confirmed signal alerts with full breakdown: VWAP deviation values, σ-Gap readings, divergences detected, current mode.
Volume matters
This is a VWAP-based indicator. No volume data = no signal. If your instrument shows "No Volume" in the dashboard, switch to a data feed that provides it (crypto spot, futures, stocks with real volume).
A note on expectations
I use this logic in my own research and it has shown useful results for me in my backtesting scenarios. But this is an indicator for analysis , not a magic button. Your execution, fees, slippage, and market regime all matter. Treat signals as context, not commands. DYOR.
Feedback welcome.
For educational and analysis purposes only. Not financial advice.
Pine Script® indicator
