> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.darvas.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# RSI divergence

> RSI calculation with bearish divergence detection - RSI makes lower highs while price makes higher highs.

## What this builds

* Standard RSI plot with overbought/oversold levels
* Bearish divergence detection: price makes a higher pivot high but RSI makes a lower pivot high
* Visual markers on detected divergence bars

## Full script

```js theme={null}
// overlay = false
const rsiLen   = input.int("RSI Length", 14, { min: 2 });
const pivotLen = input.int("Pivot lookback", 5, { min: 2, max: 20 });

hline(70, { color: "#ef4444FF", style: "dashed" });
hline(50, { color: "#6b728050" });
hline(30, { color: "#22c55eFF", style: "dashed" });

plot("RSI",  null, { color: "#a78bfaFF" });
plot("Div",  null, { style: "arrowdown", colorUp: "#ef4444FF", size: 10 });

// Store prior pivot RSI and price highs
const lastPivotRsi   = Series("last-pivot-rsi");
const lastPivotPrice = Series("last-pivot-price");

onBar(() => {
  const rsi = ta.rsi(ctx.close, rsiLen);
  if (na(rsi)) return;

  plot("RSI", rsi);

  // Check for a pivot high in price (lagged by pivotLen bars)
  const priceHigh = ta.pivothigh(ctx.high, pivotLen, pivotLen);
  const rsiAtPivot = na(priceHigh) ? NaN : ta.rsi(ctx.close, rsiLen);

  // Update last-seen pivot values
  if (!na(priceHigh)) {
    lastPivotPrice.set(priceHigh);
    lastPivotRsi.set(nz(rsiAtPivot, rsi));
  } else {
    lastPivotPrice.set(lastPivotPrice.get(1));
    lastPivotRsi.set(lastPivotRsi.get(1));
  }

  // Bearish divergence: price higher high, RSI lower high
  if (!na(priceHigh) && !na(lastPivotPrice.get(1))) {
    const priceDiverge = priceHigh > lastPivotPrice.get(1);
    const rsiDiverge   = nz(rsiAtPivot, rsi) < lastPivotRsi.get(1);

    if (priceDiverge && rsiDiverge) {
      plot("Div", rsi + 5); // marker above RSI value
    } else {
      plot("Div", NaN);
    }
  } else {
    plot("Div", NaN);
  }
});
```

## How divergence detection works

1. `ta.pivothigh` detects swing highs in price, lagged by `pivotLen` bars.
2. `Series` stores the RSI value and price level at each confirmed pivot.
3. On the next pivot, compare: if price is higher but RSI is lower, it is bearish divergence.

## Notes

* The lag from `ta.pivothigh` means divergence signals are confirmed `pivotLen` bars after the actual pivot. This is unavoidable - see [Pivots](/ta/pivots).
* The `Series` carry-forward pattern (`lastPivotPrice.set(lastPivotPrice.get(1))`) propagates the last known pivot value across non-pivot bars so the comparison always has data.
* Adjust `pivotLen` to control sensitivity: smaller = more signals, larger = only major swings.

## Related pages

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Oscillators" href="/ta/oscillators">
    ta.rsi reference.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Pivots" href="/ta/pivots">
    ta.pivothigh lag explanation.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Series" href="/essentials/series">
    Persistent storage used to remember prior pivot values.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>