Require aligned action for qualified setups

app/services/backtest_service.py

@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@ from app.services.outcome_service import (
 from app.services.price_service import query_ohlcv
 from app.services.qualification import (
     HIGH_CONVICTION_ACTIONS,
+    _action_direction,
     best_target_probability,
     setup_qualifies,
 )
@@ -917,7 +918,10 @@ def _gate_ablation(candidates: list[dict], activation: dict, threshold: float) -
         return (c["confidence"] or 0.0) >= min_conf
 
     def neutral_ok(c: dict) -> bool:
-        return not exclude_neutral or (c.get("action") or "NEUTRAL") != "NEUTRAL"
+        if not exclude_neutral:
+            return True
+        action_direction = _action_direction(c.get("action"))
+        return action_direction != "neutral" and action_direction == c["direction"]
 
     def tighteners_ok(c: dict) -> bool:
         if require_high and (c.get("action") or "") not in HIGH_CONVICTION_ACTIONS: