Backtestr Tutorial

Last updated: July 27, 2025

Purpose

In this page we will learn how to backtest a simple EMA crossover strategy.

Important

This application is currently not digitally signed. Windows SmartScreen may show a warning on first launch. You can safely bypass this by selecting More Info → Run Anyway.

1. Download Data

Download data of your choice using "Data Fethcer". Then we will be able to backtest using installed data.

Data Fethcer image

Upon first use we will be asked to where to download/store the data. Later it will not ask again and will remember user choice.

2. Strategy Build&Test

This part of the app is where all the magic happens. We will see the following UI.

Strategy Builder and Tester image

Buttons are self-explanatory.

  • Load Code: Loads saved codes from chosen files
  • Save Code: Saves Code Editor's current code to a .py file, for later usage.
  • Load Financial Data: Your downloaded data(from Data Fetcher) should be chosen with this button.
  • Test Strategy: Executes code and presents results page.
  • Lets load data with "Load Data" button

    Loading Data with button image

    For this example we will use Bitcoin's 5 years worth of data with 5 minute candles from 2020/1/1 to 2025/1/1.

    .

    Now we can code actual strategies. Here is a basic EMA crossover strategy for Backtestr.

    A simple EMA crossover strategy image

    If we do not know any python we can just use code blocks for the same code.

    A simple EMA crossover strategy with code blocks image

    If we execute the strategy the following results page should appear:

    If one made it this far, congrats. More information here