> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.metacopier.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.metacopier.io/tutorials/regex.md).

# Regex

A regex, or regular expression, is a sequence of characters that defines a search pattern. It is used for pattern matching within strings, allowing you to find specific text based on defined rules.

To learn how regex works take a look at this site [regexone.com ](https://regexone.com/)or if you are already familiar you can also check this online utility: [regex101.com](https://regex101.com/) (make sure to select Java on the left side)

## Copier filter

The copier filter can be used to allow only specific trades based on the **comment** or **magic number**. Here are some examples:

<table><thead><tr><th width="174">Type</th><th width="122">Regex</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Comment</td><td>my EA</td><td>It copies only the trades that have "my EA" in the comment field</td></tr><tr><td>Comment</td><td>^my EA</td><td>It copies only the trades that have "my EA" in the <strong>beggining</strong> of the comment field</td></tr><tr><td>Comment</td><td>^my EA$</td><td>It copies only the trades that have <strong>exactly</strong> "my EA" in the comment field</td></tr><tr><td>Magic number</td><td>5</td><td>It copies only the trades that have "5" as magic number. Pay attention that "15" will also be copied.</td></tr><tr><td>Magic number</td><td>^5$</td><td>It copies only the trades that have "5" as magic number.</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Remarks

* Regex is **case sensitive**
* If you have multiple filters, they will be handled with the **OR operator**
* **cTrader**: the magic number filter is matched against the position **label**, but only **numeric** labels are supported. Labels containing letters or other non-numeric characters are ignored and the filter will never match. Use a numeric-only label on cTrader, or filter by the **comment** field instead.

## Symbol mapping

Here are some examples regarding the [symbol mapping](https://docs.metacopier.io/features/basic-features/symbol-mapping) and broker selection:

<table><thead><tr><th width="242">Regex</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>ICMarketsSC</td><td>The mapping is valid for all brokers that have ICMarketsSC in the broker name. This includes all live and demo brokers.</td></tr><tr><td>^ICMarketsSC-Demo02$</td><td>The mapping is valid for all brokers that matches <strong>exactly</strong> ICMarketsSC-Demo02</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Remarks

* Regex is **case sensitive**

## Permitted symbols

Here are some examples regarding the permitted symbols feature:

<table><thead><tr><th width="187">Type</th><th>Regex</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Whitelist</td><td>eurusd</td><td>Only orders that includes "eurusd" and "EURUSD" (case insenstive) will be copied</td></tr><tr><td>Whitelist</td><td>eur</td><td>All order that includes "eur" or "EUR" (case insensitive) will be copied</td></tr><tr><td>Whitelist</td><td>^eurusd$</td><td>Only orders that matches <strong>exactly</strong> "eurusd" and "EURUSD" (case insenstive) will be copied</td></tr><tr><td>Blacklist</td><td>xau</td><td>All orders except orders that includes "xau" or "XAU" (case insenstive) will be copied</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Remarks

* Regex is **case insensitive**

## Telegram message filters

The [Telegram connector](/tutorials/telegram-signal-integration.md) lets you define **Include** and **Exclude** regex patterns to control which messages reach the AI. Filters are applied **before** the AI is called, so dropped messages do **not** count against your daily AI call limit (100/day on Basic, 200/day on Standard & Pro).

Use **either Include OR Exclude**, not both. Typing in one field clears the other list automatically.

* **Exclude** → drop noisy messages (announcements, promos, off-topic chatter) and let everything else through.
* **Include** → whitelist only messages matching at least one pattern and drop the rest.

Up to **60 patterns** per list. Each pattern is a separate chip, evaluated independently with substring match. If **any** pattern in the list matches the message, the list is considered a match.

### Examples

<table><thead><tr><th width="120">Type</th><th width="240">Regex</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Exclude</td><td>announcement</td><td>Skip any message containing the word "announcement" (anywhere in the text).</td></tr><tr><td>Exclude</td><td>^promo:</td><td>Skip messages that <strong>start with</strong> <code>promo:</code> (e.g. <code>promo: 50% off</code>).</td></tr><tr><td>Exclude</td><td>\bgiveaway\b</td><td>Skip messages containing the <strong>whole word</strong> "giveaway" (won't match "giveaways" or "giveawayed").</td></tr><tr><td>Exclude</td><td>https?://</td><td>Skip any message containing a URL (http or https link).</td></tr><tr><td>Exclude</td><td>@\w+</td><td>Skip messages mentioning a Telegram username (e.g. <code>@admin</code>, <code>@support</code>).</td></tr><tr><td>Include</td><td>\b(buy|sell)\b</td><td>Only forward messages containing the whole word "buy" or "sell" (typical trading signal keywords).</td></tr><tr><td>Include</td><td>signal</td><td>Only forward messages containing the word "signal" anywhere in the text.</td></tr><tr><td>Include</td><td>🔔</td><td>Only forward messages containing the bell emoji (useful when the provider tags every signal with an emoji).</td></tr><tr><td>Include</td><td>\b(EURUSD|GBPUSD|XAUUSD)\b</td><td>Only forward messages mentioning one of these specific symbols.</td></tr><tr><td>Include</td><td>\b(tp|sl)\s*[:=]</td><td>Only forward messages that look like a real signal (contain <code>TP:</code>, <code>TP =</code>, <code>SL:</code> or <code>SL =</code>).</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Remarks

* Regex is **case insensitive** (you don't need to write both `buy` and `BUY`).
* Patterns use **substring match**: the regex doesn't need to match the whole message, just a portion of it.
* Invalid regex patterns are rejected when you press **Enter** or click **Add**.
* On the **Include** list, a message must match at least one pattern to be forwarded. Empty list = the include filter is off.
* On the **Exclude** list, a message matching any pattern is dropped. Empty list = the exclude filter is off.