> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.tread.fi/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.tread.fi/other-trading-modes/multi-spread-basis-portfolio-trading/directional-bias.md).

# Directional Bias

Directional bias control allows you to influence the timing and distribution of your buy and sell orders based on your market outlook.

**How Directional Bias Works**

* **Range**: -1 to +1 (neutral at 0)
* **Positive Bias (+1)**: Favors long positions by front-loading buy orders and back-loading sell orders
* **Negative Bias (-1)**: Favors short positions by front-loading sell orders and back-loading buy orders
* **Neutral (0)**: Equal timing distribution for both buy and sell orders

**Additional Notes on Directional Bias**

* **Alpha Tilt Adjustment**: Directional bias maps linearly to alpha tilt adjustments (±1 → ±0.2 alpha tilt)
* **Buy Orders**: Positive bias adds positive alpha tilt (front-loads), negative bias adds negative alpha tilt (back-loads)
* **Sell Orders**: Positive bias adds negative alpha tilt (back-loads), negative bias adds positive alpha tilt (front-loads)
* **Risk Management**: Extreme bias values (±1) require up to 20% additional margin to account for increased directional exposure

**Use Cases**

* **Bullish Outlook**: Set positive bias to capture upward price movements more aggressively
* **Bearish Outlook**: Set negative bias to benefit from downward price movements
* **Market Neutral**: Keep at 0 for balanced market making without directional exposure