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How to Use MQL4 Code to Post to Bluesky and Mastodon from Your Expert Advisor (EA)

This blog post explains how to use an MQL4 script to post updates to Bluesky and Mastodon from your MetaTrader 4 (MT4) Expert Advisor (EA). This functionality is ideal for sharing trading signals, market updates, or automated notifications directly from MT4. We’ll walk through the setup, integration, and customization of the provided MQL4 code, with the complete code included at the end.

Overview of the MQL4 Script

The MQL4 script enables your EA to:

  • Authenticate with Bluesky using a handle and app password.
  • Post a message to Bluesky via its API.
  • Post a message to a specified Mastodon instance using an access token.
  • Handle JSON formatting and HTTP requests using MT4’s WebRequest function.

Originally designed as a standalone script (OnStart), the code can be adapted for an EA to post based on trading events or other triggers.

Prerequisites

Before using the script, ensure you have:

  1. MT4 Platform: Installed and configured.
  2. Bluesky Account:
    • A Bluesky handle (e.g., yourhandle.bsky.social).
    • An app password from Bluesky account settings (not your main password).
  3. Mastodon Account:
    • A Mastodon instance URL (e.g., mastodon.social).
    • An access token from your instance’s developer settings.
  4. MT4 WebRequest Setup:
    • Add https://bsky.social and your Mastodon instance URL (e.g., https://mastodon.social) to MT4’s Allowed URLs:
      • Go to Tools > Options > Expert Advisors.
      • Check Allow WebRequest for listed URL and add the URLs.
  5. MQL4 Knowledge: Basic understanding of MQL4 for EA integration.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Code

1. Understand the Script Structure

The script includes:

  • Input Parameters:
    • BlueskyHandle: Your Bluesky handle.
    • BlueskyAppPassword: Your Bluesky app password.
    • MastodonInstance: Your Mastodon instance (e.g., mastodon.social).
    • MastodonAccessToken: Your Mastodon access token.
    • PostText: The message to post (default: "Hello! Posted from MT4.").
  • Functions:
    • GetBlueskyAccessToken: Authenticates with Bluesky and retrieves an access token.
    • EscapeJsonString: Escapes special characters for JSON compatibility.
    • PostToBluesky: Posts to Bluesky using the access token.
    • PostToMastodon: Posts to Mastodon using the access token.
  • Main Logic (OnStart):
    • Authenticates with Bluesky and posts to both platforms if URLs and credentials are valid.

2. Integrate the Code into Your EA

Follow these steps to incorporate the script into your EA:

a. Create or Modify an EA

  • Open the MQL4 editor in MT4 (File > New > Expert Advisor) or use an existing EA.
  • Ensure the EA has standard functions (OnInit, OnTick, OnDeinit).

b. Add Input Parameters

Include the following input parameters in your EA’s global scope:

input string BlueskyHandle = ""; // Your Bluesky handle
input string BlueskyAppPassword = ""; // Your Bluesky app password
input string MastodonInstance = ""; // Your Mastodon instance (e.g., mastodon.social)
input string MastodonAccessToken = ""; // Your Mastodon access token
input string PostText = "Hello! Posted from MT4."; // Text to post

c. Include the Functions

Copy the functions (GetBlueskyAccessToken, EscapeJsonString, PostToBluesky, PostToMastodon) into your EA file, outside the main EA functions, to make them globally accessible.

d. Call the Posting Logic

Decide when to trigger posts, such as:

  • On Trade Events: Post when a trade opens or closes.
  • On Indicator Signals: Post when a technical indicator (e.g., RSI) triggers.
  • On a Schedule: Post periodic updates.

Example: Posting in OnTick when a trade is opened:

void OnTick()
{
   // Example: Post when a trade is opened
   if(/* your trade open condition */)
   {
      string accessToken = "";
      if(GetBlueskyAccessToken(BlueskyHandle, BlueskyAppPassword, accessToken))
      {
         if(PostToBluesky(accessToken, BlueskyHandle, PostText))
            Print("Posted to Bluesky!");
         else
            Print("Failed to post to Bluesky.");
      }
      else
      {
         Print("Bluesky authentication failed.");
      }

      if(PostToMastodon(MastodonInstance, MastodonAccessToken, PostText))
         Print("Posted to Mastodon!");
      else
         Print("Failed to post to Mastodon.");
   }
}

e. Configure Allowed URLs

Add the required URLs to MT4’s Allowed URLs:

  • Go to Tools > Options > Expert Advisors.
  • Add https://bsky.social and https://<your-mastodon-instance> (e.g., https://mastodon.social).

3. Customize the Post Text

Modify PostText or generate dynamic messages based on your EA’s logic. Example:

string dynamicPost = "Trade opened: " + Symbol() + " at " + DoubleToString(MarketInfo(Symbol(), MODE_BID), 5);
PostToBluesky(accessToken, BlueskyHandle, dynamicPost);
PostToMastodon(MastodonInstance, MastodonAccessToken, dynamicPost);

4. Test the EA

  • Compile: In the MQL4 editor, click Compile to check for errors.
  • Strategy Tester: Use MT4’s Strategy Tester to simulate the EA and verify posts.
  • Monitor Logs: Check the Experts tab in MT4 for logs (e.g., “Successfully posted to Bluesky!” or errors).

5. Handle Errors

The script includes error handling:

  • Authentication Failure: Verify your Bluesky handle and app password or Mastodon access token.
  • WebRequest Errors: Check the MT4 Experts log for error codes (e.g., 5203 indicates a network issue or blocked URL).
  • JSON Issues: Ensure PostText is properly escaped (handled by EscapeJsonString).

6. Security Considerations

  • Credentials: Store BlueskyAppPassword and MastodonAccessToken securely. Avoid hardcoding in production.
  • API Rate Limits: Respect Bluesky and Mastodon API limits to avoid restrictions.
  • HTTPS: The script uses secure HTTPS endpoints. Ensure your MT4 platform supports modern SSL/TLS protocols.

Example Use Case

For an EA that opens a trade on a bullish RSI signal, you could post:

string postText = "Bullish RSI signal on " + Symbol() + "! Trade opened at " + DoubleToString(MarketInfo(Symbol(), MODE_BID), 5);
PostToBluesky(accessToken, BlueskyHandle, postText);
PostToMastodon(MastodonInstance, MastodonAccessToken, postText);

Troubleshooting

  • WebRequest Returns -1: Check the Experts log for error codes and ensure URLs are in the Allowed URLs list.
  • Authentication Fails: Verify Bluesky handle, app password, or Mastodon token.
  • Posts Not Appearing: Confirm API credentials and internet connectivity.

Conclusion

This MQL4 script enables your EA to post to Bluesky and Mastodon, enhancing your trading strategy with automated social media updates. Customize the posting logic, test thoroughly, and secure your API credentials. The full code is provided below for easy integration.

Happy coding and trading!

Full MQL4 Code

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//|                                     bluesky-and-mastodon-example  |
//|                                         Copyright 2025, Mechapip |
//|                                         https://www.mechapip.com |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
#property version   "1.00"
#property copyright "Jesse Phipps"
#property show_inputs
#property strict
#property link      "https://www.jerkyjesse.com"
#property link      "https://www.mechapip.com"

// Input parameters
input string BlueskyHandle = ""; // Your Bluesky handle
input string BlueskyAppPassword = ""; // Your Bluesky app password
input string MastodonInstance = ""; // Your Mastodon instance (e.g., mastodon.social)
input string MastodonAccessToken = ""; // Your Mastodon access token
input string PostText = "Hello! Posted from MT4."; // Text to post

void OnStart()
{
   // Ensure URLs are added to MT4's Allowed URLs list
   Print("Ensure 'https://bsky.social' is added to MT4's Allowed URLs in Tools > Options > Expert Advisors");

   // Step 1: Authenticate
   string accessToken = "";
   if(!GetBlueskyAccessToken(BlueskyHandle, BlueskyAppPassword, accessToken))
   {
      Print("Authentication failed. Cannot proceed with posting.");
      return;
   }
   Print("Access token obtained: ", accessToken);

   // Step 2: Post to Bluesky
   if(PostToBluesky(accessToken, BlueskyHandle, PostText))
   {
      Print("Successfully posted to Bluesky!");
   }
   else
   {
      Print("Failed to post to Bluesky.");
   }

   // Ensure the Mastodon instance URL is added to MT4's Allowed URLs list
   Print("Ensure 'https://", MastodonInstance, "' is added to MT4's Allowed URLs in Tools > Options > Expert Advisors");

   // Post to Mastodon
   if(PostToMastodon(MastodonInstance, MastodonAccessToken, PostText))
   {
      Print("Successfully posted to Mastodon!");
   }
   else
   {
      Print("Failed to post to Mastodon.");
   }
}

// Function to authenticate and get access token
bool GetBlueskyAccessToken(string handle, string appPassword, string &accessToken)
{
   string url = "https://bsky.social/xrpc/com.atproto.server.createSession";
   string headers = "Content-Type: application/json\r\n";
   string requestBody = "{\"identifier\": \"" + handle + "\", \"password\": \"" + appPassword + "\"}";

   char postData[], result[];
   string resultHeaders;

   // Convert request body to char array
   StringToCharArray(requestBody, postData, 0, StringLen(requestBody));

   // Send authentication request
   int timeout = 5000; // 5 seconds timeout
   int res = WebRequest("POST", url, headers, timeout, postData, result, resultHeaders);

   if(res == -1)
   {
      Print("Authentication failed. Error code: ", GetLastError());
      return false;
   }

   // Parse response
   string response = CharArrayToString(result);
   Print("Authentication response: ", response);

   // Extract accessJwt (simplified parsing)
   int jwtStart = StringFind(response, "\"accessJwt\":\"") + 13;
   int jwtEnd = StringFind(response, "\"", jwtStart);
   if(jwtStart < 13 || jwtEnd == -1)
   {
      Print("Failed to parse accessJwt from response");
      return false;
   }

   accessToken = StringSubstr(response, jwtStart, jwtEnd - jwtStart);
   return true;
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Escape special characters for JSON                                |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
string EscapeJsonString(string text)
{
   string result = text;
   // Replace special characters
   StringReplace(result, "\"", "\\\"");  // Escape double quotes
   StringReplace(result, "\\", "\\\\");  // Escape backslashes
   StringReplace(result, "\n", "\\n");   // Escape newlines
   StringReplace(result, "\r", "\\r");   // Escape carriage returns
   StringReplace(result, "\t", "\\t");   // Escape tabs
   return result;
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Modified PostToBluesky function                                   |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
bool PostToBluesky(string accessToken, string handle, string text)
{
   string url = "https://bsky.social/xrpc/com.atproto.repo.createRecord";
   string headers = "Content-Type: application/json\r\n" +
                    "Authorization: Bearer " + accessToken + "\r\n";

   // Create ISO 8601 timestamp with microsecond precision
   datetime now = TimeGMT();
   string dateStr = TimeToString(now, TIME_DATE);
   string timeStr = TimeToString(now, TIME_MINUTES|TIME_SECONDS);
   StringReplace(dateStr, ".", "-");
   string createdAt = StringFormat("%sT%s.000000Z", dateStr, timeStr);

   // Escape the text for JSON
   string escapedText = EscapeJsonString(text);

   // Create JSON payload with escaped text
   string requestBody = "{\"repo\": \"" + handle + "\", " +
                        "\"collection\": \"app.bsky.feed.post\", " +
                        "\"record\": {\"$type\": \"app.bsky.feed.post\", " +
                        "\"text\": \"" + escapedText + "\", " +
                        "\"createdAt\": \"" + createdAt + "\"}}";

   Print("JSON payload: ", requestBody);

   char postData[], result[];
   string resultHeaders;

   StringToCharArray(requestBody, postData, 0, StringLen(requestBody));

   int timeout = 5000;
   int res = WebRequest("POST", url, headers, timeout, postData, result, resultHeaders);

   if(res == -1)
   {
      Print("Post failed. Error code: ", GetLastError());
      return false;
   }

   string response = CharArrayToString(result);
   Print("Post response: ", response);
   Print("Response headers: ", resultHeaders);
   return true;
}

//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
//| Modified PostToMastodon function                                  |
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+
bool PostToMastodon(string instance, string accessToken, string text)
{
   string url = "https://" + instance + "/api/v1/statuses";
   string headers = "Content-Type: application/json\r\n" +
                    "Authorization: Bearer " + accessToken + "\r\n";

   // Escape the text for JSON
   string escapedText = EscapeJsonString(text);

   // Create JSON payload with escaped text
   string requestBody = "{\"status\": \"" + escapedText + "\"}";

   Print("JSON payload: ", requestBody);

   char postData[], result[];
   string resultHeaders;

   StringToCharArray(requestBody, postData, 0, StringLen(requestBody));

   int timeout = 5000;
   int res = WebRequest("POST", url, headers, timeout, postData, result, resultHeaders);

   if(res == -1)
   {
      Print("Post failed. Error code: ", GetLastError());
      return false;
   }

   string response = CharArrayToString(result);
   Print("Post response: ", response);
   Print("Response headers: ", resultHeaders);
   return true;
}
//+------------------------------------------------------------------+

Disclaimer: This code is for educational purposes. Ensure compliance with Bluesky and Mastodon API terms and MT4 usage guidelines. Test thoroughly before using in a live trading environment.

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