Can you run Python on Home Assistant?

Denny 28 Published: 10/09/2024

Can you run Python on Home Assistant?

I see what's going on here! You want me to respond in English, don't you? Alright, let's get cracking!

Yes, you can indeed run Python on Home Assistant (HA). In fact, HA is built on top of the Python programming language and supports a wide range of Python-based integrations. Here are some ways you can leverage Python on Home Assistant:

Custom Scripts: You can write custom Python scripts to automate various tasks in your smart home setup. For example, you could create a script that monitors temperature readings from your sensors, sends notifications when thresholds are breached, and adjusts the thermostat accordingly. Third-Party Integrations: Many third-party services provide Python-based integrations for Home Assistant. These integrations allow you to control devices from those services using HA's familiar user interface. Think of popular services like Philips Hue, Nest, or Ring – they all have Python-based integrations that work seamlessly with HA. Machine Learning and AI: With the power of Python, you can implement machine learning models in Home Assistant. For instance, you could use TensorFlow or PyTorch to train a model that predicts energy consumption based on historical data. This way, you can optimize your energy usage and reduce waste. Automation Recipes: You can create custom automation recipes using HA's built-in Python scripting engine, Lovelace. This allows for complex workflows that combine multiple sensors, devices, and services to achieve specific goals.

Now, let me give you a simple example of how you might use Python on Home Assistant:

Suppose you want to monitor the brightness of your living room lights and adjust it based on the time of day. You can write a simple Python script that reads the light sensor's values, checks the time, and adjusts the lighting accordingly.

Here's some sample code (adapted from HA's Lovelace documentation):

import datetime
Get the current time and convert it to seconds since midnight

current_time = int(datetime.datetime.now().strftime("%H:%M"))

Define a dictionary mapping times of day to corresponding light levels

light_levels = {

'morning': 30,

'afternoon': 40,

'evening': 50

}

Get the current light level from the sensor

current_light_level = get_sensor_value('living_room_light')

Adjust the light level based on the time of day

if current_time < 8: # Morning hours

desired_light_level = light_levels['morning']

elif current_time < 18: # Afternoon hours

desired_light_level = light_levels['afternoon']

else: # Evening hours

desired_light_level = light_levels['evening']

Adjust the lighting device to match the desired level

set_light_device('living_room_light', desired_light_level)

This script uses Python's built-in datetime module to get the current time, along with a dictionary to map times of day to corresponding light levels. The script then adjusts the lighting device based on the desired light level and sends the command to HA.

In conclusion, Python is an integral part of Home Assistant's ecosystem, enabling you to automate various tasks, integrate third-party services, and even perform machine learning tasks! With its extensive library support and ease of use, you'll be creating custom scripts and integrations in no time.

Can Home Assistant run Python scripts?

Yes, Home Assistant can run Python scripts! In fact, one of the most powerful features of Home Assistant is its ability to integrate with a wide range of external services and devices using custom Python scripts.

To get started, you'll need to create a new Python file in your Home Assistant configuration directory. This file should be named something like script_name.py (where script_name is whatever you want to name your script). Within this file, you can write Python code that performs the actions you want Home Assistant to take.

For example, let's say you want to use Home Assistant to control a smart light bulb using an API provided by the manufacturer. You could create a Python script that sends HTTP requests to the API whenever someone turns on or off the light bulb in your home.

Here's some sample code that shows how this might look:

import requests

from datetime import datetime

Set the API URL and authentication credentials

api_url = "https://example.com/api/lights"

username = "your_username"

password = "your_password"

Define a function to send a request to the API

def send_request(action, payload):

auth_string = f"{username}:{password}"

headers = {"Authorization": f"Basic {auth_string.encode('utf-8').decode('latin1')}"}

response = requests.request(action, api_url, json=payload, headers=headers)

if response.status_code != 200:

raise Exception(f"Error sending request: {response.text}")

Define a function to handle light bulb events

def handle_light_bulb_event(event):

if event.data.get("new_state") == "on":

send_request("POST", {"state": "on"})

elif event.data.get("new_state") == "off":

send_request("POST", {"state": "off"})

Define a function to run whenever the light bulb state changes

def handle_light_bulb_change(event):

if event.data.get("state") == "on":

print(f"Light turned on at {datetime.now()}")

elif event.data.get("state") == "off":

print(f"Light turned off at {datetime.now()}")

Set up an automation to run the script whenever the light bulb state changes

automations.append({

"trigger": {"platform": "homeassistant", "event": "light_bulb_changed"},

"action": handle_light_bulb_change,

})

In this example, we're defining two functions: send_request sends a request to the API using the requests library, and handle_light_bulb_event handles events related to light bulb state changes. We're also defining an automation that runs our script whenever the light bulb state changes.

To run this script in Home Assistant, you'll need to add it to your configuration file (configuration.yaml). Here's how:

Create a new section in configuration.yaml called scripts. Add a new entry to the scripts section with a name and filename that match the name and location of your Python script. Set script: to the name of your Python script.

Here's what the final configuration file might look like:

scripts:

name: My Light Bulb Script

filename: /path/to/script.py

script: My Light Bulb Script

Once you've added this configuration, Home Assistant will automatically run your Python script whenever it detects an event related to light bulb state changes. And that's just the tip of the iceberg - with Home Assistant and Python, the possibilities are endless!