> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.degenbot.wiki/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://www.degenbot.wiki/understanding-alerts/read-an-alert.md).

# Read an alert

Read the market, direction, timing, context, and outcome rules—not just the headline.

Read an alert in this order: **what market, which direction, when, why, and until when**.

### What the fields mean

| Field, when present     | Plain-language meaning                                                               |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Symbol or pair          | The instrument being observed, such as an asset priced in a quote currency.          |
| Market or venue         | The source market; spot and perpetual-futures quotes are not interchangeable.        |
| LONG / bullish          | An upward directional scenario. It is not an order confirmation.                     |
| SHORT / bearish         | A downward directional scenario. It is not an instruction to borrow or use leverage. |
| Stream and version      | The method that generated the observation.                                           |
| Timeframe               | The analysis interval or context; not automatically the alert's lifetime.            |
| Timestamp               | When the observation or message was recorded. Check the timezone label.              |
| Reference price or zone | A level used to describe the scenario, not a promised execution price.               |
| Target                  | A favourable level or condition used by the stated method.                           |
| Stop or invalidation    | A level or condition that would oppose or end the scenario.                          |
| Expiry or horizon       | The window over which the scenario is intended to be evaluated.                      |
| Score or confidence     | A model or rule output; not necessarily a probability.                               |
| Alert identifier        | A reference for matching an outcome or reporting a problem.                          |

Not every message necessarily contains every field. If a crucial field is missing, do not invent it. Ask what the message's method actually measures.

### LONG and SHORT describe direction

A LONG label means the observation favours an upward move under its stated conditions. A SHORT label means it favours a downward move. Neither label means the bot has opened a position.

The same instrument can have different directional observations on different timeframes. Compare like with like before treating them as a contradiction.

### Check whether the message is still fresh

Compare the message time, any event time, and the current market. A delayed notification can describe a scenario that has already reached its target, failed, or expired.

Do not substitute a current price into an old message and assume the original scenario is unchanged. A different starting point changes the distances to the levels and can change the meaning of the setup.

### Read the reason

The explanation may mention trend, momentum, volume, volatility, or agreement between signals. Ask how that evidence supports the direction and what would make it less relevant.

{% hint style="warning" %}
A target shown in Telegram is not an order on an exchange. A stop shown in Telegram is not protection for an account.
{% endhint %}

Next, choose the page matching the stream in your message, or practise with **Everyday use → Worked examples**.