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  4. [SOLVED] Random ghosting of lights when Away
Organizing/ structuring rule sets and rules
R

Hi guys,

Just wondering how you guys organize your rule sets and rules. I wish I had an extra layer to have some more granularity, but my feature request was not popular.

Maybe there are better ways to organize my rule sets.

I use the rule sets now primarily for rooms. So a rule set per room. But maybe grouping by functionality works better. Any examples/ suggestions would be appreciated.

Multi-System Reactor
Moving MSR from a QNAP container to RP 5 - some issues
Tom_DT

I have installed MSR on a RP5 bare metal and then copied the config and store files. Everything seems to be on the RP5 but I am missing all global expression and I don't see the controller time.

Screenshot 2025-04-06 201446.png

My browser is Microsoft Edge Version 135.0.3179.54 (Official build) (64-bit)

I have probably done something stupid or missed a step but I am stuck.

Thanks for any help.

Multi-System Reactor
Widget deletion does not work and landing page (status) is empy
M

Hi,
It seems that the widget deletion does not work. I tried to drag the widget to the left (as explained in here https://smarthome.community/topic/1071/deleting-widgets?_=1744037333660)
but it does not delete it. Anyone else experiencing the same problem?

Also the landing page after login is empty and seems be have some JS issues on the dev console:

Screenshot from 2025-04-07 18-06-19.png

fd7f0424-debb-49d3-86d8-9a3b09ad3868-image.png

Using dockerized version of Reactor (Multi-hub) latest-25082-3c348de6 on Chromium 135.0.7049.52 (Official Build) snap (64-bit)

br,
mgvra

Multi-System Reactor
Need help reducing false positive notifications
T

Good day all,
I have an notification set up for my washing machine to let me know when it's complete. I have a templete sensor set up in HAAS to let me know if it's Washing, in Standby, or off, based upon the power consumption (Shelly 1PM on outlets)

- name: "Washing Machine" state: > {% if states("sensor.washer_switch_0_power")|float == 0 %} Off {% elif states("sensor.washer_switch_0_power")|float <= 2.9 %} Standby {% else %} Washing {% endif %} icon: > {% if states("sensor.washer_switch_0_power") == "off" %} mdi:washing-machine-alert {% elif states("sensor.washer_switch_0_power")|float <= 2.9 %} mdi:washing-machine-off {% else %} mdi:washing-machine {% endif %} minutes: 2

The MSR code is relatively simple. I have a built in false positive attribute for if MSR gets rebooted, because I would suddenly get tons of notifications when I upgraded MSR.

6774565a-06cc-443f-99c1-e71301b33d83-image.png

What I'm trying to introduce, is a way to verify that I just didn't bump the knob on the washing machine when transferring loads from the washer to the dryer, which turns on the display and brings the power above the Standby threshold.

The power goes up to 3.7W for about 4 minutes if the selector knob is bumped/turned.

What would the best way to do this be? I have most of my MSR code set up for a couple of years now, and my coding logic is struggling a bit.

I think I need a power threshold to be substained for a minimum time period (say 2 or 3 minutes, above 10W), before the other triggers can act. What would the best way to do that be?

Running: latest-25082-3c348de6
Fedora 41 Server
HAAS:
Core
2025.3.4
Supervisor
2025.03.4
Operating System
15.1
Frontend
20250306.0

Multi-System Reactor
Reactor (Multi-System/Multi-Hub) Announcements
toggledbitsT

Build 21228 has been released. Docker images available from DockerHub as usual, and bare-metal packages here.

Home Assistant up to version 2021.8.6 supported; the online version of the manual will now state the current supported versions; Fix an error in OWMWeatherController that could cause it to stop updating; Unify the approach to entity filtering on all hub interface classes (controllers); this works for device entities only; it may be extended to other entities later; Improve error detail in messages for EzloController during auth phase; Add isRuleSet() and isRuleEnabled() functions to expressions extensions; Implement set action for lock and passage capabilities (makes them more easily scriptable in some cases); Fix a place in the UI where 24-hour time was not being displayed.
Multi-System Reactor
Deleting widgets
tunnusT

Hopefully a trivial question, but how do you delete widgets in a status page? Using build 22266

Multi-System Reactor
MQTT configuration question
tunnusT

I have the following yaml configuration in local_mqtt_devices file

x_mqtt_device: set_speed: arguments: speed: type: str topic: "command/%friendly_name%" payload: type: json expr: '{ "fan": parameters.speed }'

While this works fine, I'm wondering how this could be changed to "fixed" parameters, as in this case "fan" only accepts "A", "Q" or a numeric value of 1-5?

Multi-System Reactor
System Configuration Check - time is offset
F

Hi!

I get this message when I'm on the status tab:

System Configuration Check
The time on this system and on the Reactor host are significantly different. This may be due to incorrect system configuration on either or both. Please check the configuration of both systems. The host reports 2025-04-01T15:29:29.252Z; browser reports 2025-04-01T15:29:40.528Z; difference 11.276 seconds.

I have MSR installed as a docker on my Home Assistant Blue / Hardkernel ODROID-N2/N2+. MSR version is latest-25082-3c348de6.
HA versions are:
Core 2025.3.4
Supervisor 2025.03.4
Operating System 15.1

I have restarted HA as well as MSR multiple times. This message didn´t show two weeks ago. Don´t know if it have anything to do with the latest MSR version.
Do anyone know what I can try?
Thanks in advance!
Let's Be Careful Out There (Hill Street reference...) 🙂
/Fanan

Multi-System Reactor
Programmatically capture HTTP Request action status code or error
therealdbT

I have a very strange situation, where if InfluxDB restarts, other containers may fail when restarting at the same time (under not easy to understand circumstances), and InfluxDB remains unreachable (and these containers crashes). I need to reboot these containers in an exact order, after rebooting InfluxDB.

While I understand what's going on, I need a way to reliable determine that InfluxDB is not reachable and these containers are not reachable, in order to identify this situation and manually check what's going on - and, maybe, in the future, automatically restart them if needed.

So, I was looking at HTTP Request action, but I need to capture the HTTP response code, instead of the response (becase if ping is OK, InfluxDB will reply with a 204), and, potentially, a way to programmatically detect that it's failing to get the response.

While I could write a custom HTTP controller for this or a custom HTTP virtual device, I was wondering if this is somewhat on you roadmap @toggledbits

Thanks!

Multi-System Reactor
ZwaveJSUI - RGBWW BULB - Warm/Cold White interfered with RGB settings - Bulb doesn't change color if in WarmWhite state.
N

Hi ,
I'm on
-Reactor (Multi-hub) latest-25067-62e21a2d
-Docker on Synology NAS
-ZWaveJSUI 9.31.0.6c80945

Problem with ZwaveJSUI:
When I try to change color to a bulb RGBWW, it doesn't change to the RGB color and the bulb remains warm or cold white.
I tryed with Zipato RGBW Bulb V2 RGBWE2, Hank Bulb HKZW-RGB01, Aentec 6 A-ZWA002, so seems that it happens with all RGBWW bulb with reactor/zwavejsui.

I'm using from reator the entity action: "rgb_color.set" and "rgb_color.set_rgb".
After I send the reactor command, It changes in zwavejsui the rgb settings but doesn't put the white channel to "0", so the prevalent channel remains warm/cold White and the bulb doesn't change into the rgb color.

This is the status of the bulb in zwavejsui after "rgb_color.set" (235,33,33,) and the bulb is still warmWhite.

x_zwave_values.Color_Switch_currentColor={"warmWhite":204,"coldWhite":0,"red":235,"green":33,"blue":33}

The "cold white" and "warm white" settings interfer with the rgb color settings.

Reactor can change bulb colors with rgb_color set — (value, ui8, 0x000000 to 0xffffff) or rgb_color set_rgb — (red, green, blue, all ui1, 0 to 255) but if warm or cold white
are not to "0", zwavejsui doesn't change them and I can't find a way to change into rgb or from rgb back to warm white.

So if I use from reactor: rgb_color set_rgb — (235,33,33) in zwavejsui I have

x_zwave_values.Color_Switch_targetColor={"red":235,"green":33,"blue":33} 14/03/2025, 16:43:57 - value updated Arg 0: └─commandClassName: Color Switch └─commandClass: 51 └─property: targetColor └─endpoint: 0 └─newValue └──red: 235 └──green: 33 └──blue: 33 └─prevValue └──red: 235 └──green: 33 └──blue: 33 └─propertyName: targetColor 14/03/2025, 16:43:57 - value updated Arg 0: └─commandClassName: Color Switch └─commandClass: 51 └─property: currentColor └─endpoint: 0 └─newValue └──warmWhite: 204 └──coldWhite: 0 └──red: 235 └──green: 33 └──blue: 33 └─prevValue └──warmWhite: 204 └──coldWhite: 0 └──red: 235 └──green: 33 └──blue: 33 └─propertyName: currentColor

In zwavejsui, the bulb changes rgb set but warm White remains to "204" and the bulb remais on warm White channel bacause is prevalent on rgb set.

x_zwave_values.Color_Switch_currentColor_0=204 x_zwave_values.Color_Switch_currentColor_1=0 x_zwave_values.Color_Switch_currentColor_2=235 x_zwave_values.Color_Switch_currentColor_3=33 x_zwave_values.Color_Switch_currentColor_4=33

Is it possible to targetColor also for "warmWhite" and "coldWhite" and have something similar to this?

x_zwave_values.Color_Switch_targetColor={"warmWhite":0,"coldWhite":0,"red":235,"green":33,"blue":33}

Thanks in advance.

Multi-System Reactor
Problem with simultaneous notifications.
T

Good day all,
I have a reaction set up, that I use for both troubleshooting and changing home modes when one of my family members either arrive or are leaving. I use the companion app for HAAS on our iPhones, and HAAS reports if the person associated with the iPhone enters or leaves the geofenced area around my home. I'm sure most MSR and HAAS users are familiar with this.

I use this rule set mainly as a condition for other rules, however, as part of troubleshooting, a notification is sent through HAAS to the companion app when the rule becomes true. The problem is that I'm getting notifications now for both arriving and departing simultaneously.

96b3f7db-ba09-499e-a78c-86903b603857-image.png

36903cdd-a87f-473b-82ef-af9ef96d3c44-image.png It used to work fine as intended. I'm not sure exactly when it changed, but now I'm getting two notifications when either of these conditions change.

Any idea what could be happening?

Edit:
Running: latest-25082-3c348de6, bare-metal Linux
ZWaveJSControllerr [0.1.25082]

Multi-System Reactor
Problem after upgrading to 25067
R

MSR had been running fine, but I decided to follow the message to upgrade to 25067. Since the upgrade, I have received the message "Controller "<name>" (HubitatController hubitat2) could not be loaded at startup. Its ID is not unique." MSR throws the message on every restart. Has anyone else encountered this problem?
I am running MSR on a Raspberry Pi4 connecting to two Hubitat units over an OpenVPN tunnel. One C8 and a C8 Pro. Both are up-to-date. It appears that despite the error message that MSR may be operating properly.

Multi-System Reactor
Global expressions not always evaluated
tunnusT

Similarly as for local expressions, global expressions evaluate and update fine when getEntity(...) structure is used. However, at least when certain functions are in use, expressions do not update.

Consider the following test case:

Screenshot 2025-03-13 at 16.29.42.png

Even though auto-evaluation is active, value does not change (it changes only if that expression is manually run). MSR restarts do not help.

Screenshot 2025-03-13 at 16.31.43.png

Note: Tested using build 25067 on Docker. I have also a PR open (but couldn't now get details or PR number as my Mantis account was somehow expired?).

Multi-System Reactor
[Solved] Local expression evaluation
V

Trying to understand what cause a local expresssion to be evaluated. I have read the manual but I am still not clear about it. Using the test rule below, I can see in the log that the rule is being automatically evaluated every time the temperature entity is changing. That is great...

What I am trying to understand is why the expression is not evaluated based on time as well since the "case" statement has time dependencies.

Any help would be appreciated

I have the following test rule:

eba6a3ea-ff61-4610-88c9-9b9864f11ff8-Screenshot 2025-01-21 095244.png

2d9c1ff5-7b73-4005-b324-9029c2709db9-Screenshot 2025-01-21 095302.png

Here is the expressioncode:

vFrom1 = "09:25:00", vFrom2 = "09:30:00", vFrom3 = "09:41:00", vTo = "10:55:00", # Get current time (format HH:MM:SS) vToDay = strftime("%H:%M:%S"), #Get current house temperature CurrentHouseTemp = getEntity( "hass>Thermostat2 " ).attributes.temperature_sensor.value, case when CurrentHouseTemp <= 19 and vToDay >= vFrom1 && vToDay <= vTo: "true1" # From1 when CurrentHouseTemp <= 20 and vToDay >= vFrom2 && vToDay <= vTo: "true2" # From2 when CurrentHouseTemp < 26  and vToDay >= vFrom3 && vToDay <= vTo: "true3" # From3 else "false" end
Multi-System Reactor
[Solved] Runtime error when exiting global reaction that contains a group
S

I am getting a Runtime error on different browsers when I click exit when editing an existing or creating a new global reaction containing a group. If the global reaction does not have a group I don't get an error. I see a similar post on the forum about a Runtime Error when creating reactions but started a new thread as that appears to be solved.

The Runtime Error is different in the two browsers
Safari v18.3

@http://192.168.10.21:8111/reactor/en-US/lib/js/reaction-list.js:171:44 You may report this error, but do not screen shot it. Copy-paste the complete text. Remember to include a description of the operation you were performing in as much detail as possible. Report using the Reactor Bug Tracker (in your left navigation) or at the SmartHome Community.

Google Chrome 133.0.6943.142

TypeError: self.editor.isModified is not a function at HTMLButtonElement.<anonymous> (http://192.168.10.21:8111/reactor/en-US/lib/js/reaction-list.js:171:34) You may report this error, but do not screen shot it. Copy-paste the complete text. Remember to include a description of the operation you were performing in as much detail as possible. Report using the Reactor Bug Tracker (in your left navigation) or at the SmartHome Community.

Steps to reproduce:
Click the pencil to edit a global reaction with a group.
Click the Exit button.
Runtime error appears.
or
Click Create Reaction
Click Add Action
Select Group
Add Condition such as Entity Attribute.
Add an Action.
Click Save
Click Exit
Runtime error appears.

I don’t know how long the error has been there as I haven’t edited the global reaction in a long time.

Reactor (Multi-hub) latest-25060-f32eaa46
Docker
Mac OS: 15.3.1
Thanks

Multi-System Reactor
Cannot delete Global Expressions
SnowmanS

I am trying to delete a global expression (gLightDelay) but for some strange reason, it comes back despite clicking the Delete this expression and Save Changes buttons.

I have not created a global expression for some times and just noticed this while doing some clean-up.

I have upgraded Reactor to 25067 from 25060 and the behaviour is still there. I have restarted Reactor (as well as restarting its container) and cleared the browser's cache several times without success.

Here's what the log shows.

[latest-25067]2025-03-08T23:50:22.690Z <wsapi:INFO> [WSAPI]wsapi#1 rpc_echo [Object]{ "comment": "UI activity" } [latest-25067]2025-03-08T23:50:26.254Z <GlobalExpression:NOTICE> Deleting global expression gLightDelay [latest-25067]2025-03-08T23:50:27.887Z <wsapi:INFO> [WSAPI]wsapi#1 rpc_echo [Object]{ "comment": "UI activity" }

Reactor latest-25067-62e21a2d
Docker on Synology NAS

Multi-System Reactor
Local notification methods?
CatmanV2C

Morning, experts. Hard on learning about the internet check script in MSR tools, I was wondering what suggestions anyone has about a local (i.e. non-internet dependent) notification method.

This was prompted by yesterday's fun and games with my ISP.

I've got the script Cronned and working properly but short of flashing a light on and off, I'm struggling to think of a way of alerting me (ideally to my phone)

I guess I could set up a Discord server at home, but that feels like overkill for a rare occasion. Any other suggestions?

TIA

C

Multi-System Reactor
Custom capabilities in MQTT templates
M

Hi,
I'm trying to integrate the sonos-mqtt (https://sonos2mqtt.svrooij.io/) with the MSR and it's coming along nicely so far.
But cannot wrap my head around how to define custom capabilities in MQTT templates. I need this for the TTS announcements and similarly for the notification sounds where I would pass the sound file as parameter.

So this is what I have in the local_mqtt_devices.yaml

capabilities: x_sonos_announcement: attributes: actions: speak: arguments: text: type: string volume: type: int delay: type: int

And this is the template:

templates: sonos-announcement: capabilities: - x_sonos_announcement actions: x_sonos_announcement: speak: topic: "sonos/cmd/speak" payload: expr: > { "text": parameters.text, "volume": parameters.volume, "delayMs": parameters.delay, "onlyWhenPlaying": false, "engine": "neural" } type: json

So the speak action should send something like this to topic sonos/cmd/speak

{ "text": "message goes here", "volume": 50, "delayMs": 100, "onlyWhenPlaying": false, "engine": "neural" }

At startup the MSR seems to be quite unhappy with my configuration:

reactor | [latest-25016]2025-02-09T08:19:59.029Z <MQTTController:WARN> MQTTController#mqtt entity Entity#mqtt>sonos-announcement unable to configure capabilities [Array][ "x_sonos_announcement" ] reactor | i18n: missing fi-FI language string: Configuration for {0:q} is incomplete because the following requested capabilities are undefined: {1} reactor | i18n: missing fi-FI language string: Configuration for {0:q} has unrecognized capability {1:q} in actions reactor | Trace: Configuration for {0:q} is incomplete because the following requested capabilities are undefined: {1} reactor | at _T (/opt/reactor/server/lib/i18n.js:611:28) reactor | at AlertManager.addAlert (/opt/reactor/server/lib/AlertManager.js:125:25) reactor | at MQTTController.sendWarning (/opt/reactor/server/lib/Controller.js:627:30) reactor | at MQTTController.start (/var/reactor/ext/MQTTController/MQTTController.js:268:26) reactor | at async Promise.allSettled (index 0) Configuration for "sonos-announcement" has unrecognized capability "x_sonos_announcement" in actions Controller: MQTTController#mqtt Last 10:21:37 AM Configuration for "sonos-announcement" is incomplete because the following requested capabilities are undefined: x_sonos_announcement Controller: MQTTController#mqtt Last 10:21:37 AM

This is probably a pretty stupid question and the approach may not even work at all, but maybe someone or @toggledbits for sure, could point me to the right direction.
Basically the idea is to be able to send TTS messages from reactions using entity actions. I've previously used HTTP requests to Sonos HTTP API (https://hub.docker.com/r/chrisns/docker-node-sonos-http-api/) for the same functionality, but since moving to sonos-mqtt, I need a way to send the TTS notifications using MQTTController. Along with the actual message, volume and delay must also be parameterizable.

br,
mgvra

MSR latest-25016-d47fea38 / MQTTController [0.2.24293]

Multi-System Reactor
[SOLVED]Hass websocket falsely reporting ready on boot??
V

Hi, @toggledbits

I just noticed that following a reboot of my raspberry pi, some of the rules, that I was expecting to recover, are not catching up following a reboot. I have made a simple test rule (rule-m6rz6ol1) with only "after Date/time" as trigger and "turn on a lamp" as a set reaction. All my infrastructure is on the same board so Reactor, Hass, Zwavejs, ... are all rebooting.

Here is the sequence of the test case (All time converted to Zulu to match logs):

Rule "after Date/Time" set to 14:05:00z Shutdown on Raspberry Pi at 14:04:00z Power back up at 14:08:00z Rule overview shows true as of 14:08:14z waiting for 00:00:00 in GUI

From the log I can see that MSR is picking up the rule and knows that the state of the rule has changed from false to true and tries to send the update to HASS but failed with websocket error.

Here is what I see from the log:

14:04:04z shutdown complete 14:08:08z Power up 14:08:13.111z websocket connection 14:08:15:323z Reaction to the light failed, Websocket not opened After there is a series of websocket connection attempt until 14:08:51z where it seemed to be really ready.

Back in 2021 we had a discussion (https://smarthome.community/topic/700/solved-start-up?_=1738766986566) and you proposed to add a startup_delay:xxxx and startup_wait:xxxx parameter in the engine section of "reactor.yaml". When I try the startup_delay (this used to be a hard delay), the engine failed to start (I think). I then try the startup_wait:xxxx without any success. Since it wait for the connection status to be up to cancel the delay, it does not do anyting since Hass is reporting the socket up without really being up ( I think...).

Questions:

Did I figured it all wrong? should the startup_delay:xxxxx have worked? Any ideas?

Here is the log:

OK now I am stuck. I did add the log but when I submit the editor complained saying that I am limited to 32767 characters. The log from the shutdown to the time the websocket is stable is about 300000 character long. What are my options?

Multi-System Reactor
[SOLVED]Logs permissions for Docker Install
V

Not a big issue simply a request if easily doable.

The MSR logs files inside the container are owned by root witch is fine however, the permissions are very restrictive. I do not know if there is something wrong with my installation but the logs permission are set to 222 (write only). Even if the docker volume is set for Read/Write the log files are retaining these values.

I go around the problem by doing a chmod 777 on all reactor logs but every time there is an MSR log rotation the permissions are set back to 222. So unless the permission are implemented in the container there is no permanent solution to this (that I know of).

I do not know much about Docker container so I do not know what is involved here.

Can the logfiles permission be simply chaged in the container to at least allow "other" read permission?

Could the MSR log rotation routine implement a chmod to set the permission?

Just a small anoyance

Thanks

Multi-System Reactor

[SOLVED] Random ghosting of lights when Away

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Multi-System Reactor
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  • G Offline
    G Offline
    gwp1
    wrote on last edited by gwp1
    #1

    When using Vera I made use of Deus Ex Machina II after Patrick took it over. Worked brilliantly for ghosting lights on and off when I was away.

    Now that my devices are migrated to Hubitat I can't make use of DEMII.

    Any thoughts on how to replicate this randomness with two or three lights in MSR?

    Solved here: https://smarthome.community/post/8204

    *Hubitat C-7 2.4.1.151
    *Proxmox VE v8, Beelink MiniPC 12GBs, SSD

    *HASS 2025.3.4
    w/ ZST10-700 fw 7.18.3

    *Prod MSR in docker/portainer
    MSR: latest-25082-3c348de6
    MQTTController: 24257
    ZWave Controller: 25082

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    • therealdbT Offline
      therealdbT Offline
      therealdb
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      Install it on openLuup and bridge the lights via mqtt or similar?

      --
      On a mission to automate everything.

      My MS Reactor contrib
      My Luup Plug-ins

      1 Reply Last reply
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      • toggledbitsT Offline
        toggledbitsT Offline
        toggledbits
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        Pretty easy to do with lights to be controlled in an array and a couple of rules to figure out (a) when to be enabled, (b) toggle a randomly-selected light from the array and delay a random time; (c) figure out when transitioning from enabled to disabled and turn off all the lights in the array. That's basically the guts of DEMII.

        Author of Multi-system Reactor and Reactor, DelayLight, Switchboard, and about a dozen other plugins that run on Vera and openLuup.

        toggledbitsT 1 Reply Last reply
        1
        • LibraSunL Offline
          LibraSunL Offline
          LibraSun
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          Also, I believe random lights on/off is a built-in feature of Alexa Guard. You set it up in the Alexa app, choose which lights to operate, and when leaving the house, simply say, "We're leaving" or "Turn on Guard".

          therealdbT G 2 Replies Last reply
          0
          • therealdbT Offline
            therealdbT Offline
            therealdb
            replied to LibraSun on last edited by
            #5

            @librasun great to know, since guard is us only at the moment.

            --
            On a mission to automate everything.

            My MS Reactor contrib
            My Luup Plug-ins

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            • toggledbitsT Offline
              toggledbitsT Offline
              toggledbits
              replied to toggledbits on last edited by toggledbits
              #6

              @toggledbits Here's a prototype for "Reactor Ex Machina"...

              Lights to be cycled are placed in a global expression like this:

              d8d23e46-153d-4e70-a20f-9c7f471f5cb1-image.png

              This is the "Cycler". It triggers when a variable it owns called cycler_stim changes (and is non-zero, which is the resting/deactivated state value).

              8f9e65fe-825a-416e-b49a-4e4c9ad30e02-image.png 1dce63c0-7534-4cf4-bd0f-21fc52e09646-image.png cc0b02e5-692f-4b21-8854-c3c5cf091a31-image.png

              When the cycler is "stimulated", it picks a random device from REM_lights and toggles it. Then it goes into a random delay between 10 and 30 minutes, after which it increments cycler_stim, effectively stimulating itself (for lack of a better description) and the cycle begins again.

              This is the "activate" rule. It determines when light cycling should start. It just sets cycler_stim to 1, and the Cycler will automatically start going.

              447a50c8-13c7-4873-b194-8220b70c3f6f-image.png

              This is the "deactivate" rule; it determines when cycling should stop. Depending on the complexity of your activate/deactivate rules, you could also do this in the reset reaction of Activate. It sets cycler_stim to 0 and turns off all the controlled lights.

              5a9655c1-afab-4a15-a6b5-242629f07e2a-image.png

              Author of Multi-system Reactor and Reactor, DelayLight, Switchboard, and about a dozen other plugins that run on Vera and openLuup.

              G LibraSunL 3 Replies Last reply
              1
              • G Offline
                G Offline
                gwp1
                replied to LibraSun on last edited by
                #7

                @librasun This is good to know - I tend to try and keep as much as possible within MSR. Yes, it makes it a SPOF, but it's also better than chasing down troubleshooting in multiple places.

                That being said... I do have some things like TV on/off, Night mode on, that are convenience things that ultimately drive back to the root HA system running from within Alexa devices.

                *Hubitat C-7 2.4.1.151
                *Proxmox VE v8, Beelink MiniPC 12GBs, SSD

                *HASS 2025.3.4
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                • G Offline
                  G Offline
                  gwp1
                  replied to toggledbits on last edited by
                  #8

                  @toggledbits Going to ask a really dumb question: how do I create a variable to use in Set Variable ?

                  *Hubitat C-7 2.4.1.151
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                  *HASS 2025.3.4
                  w/ ZST10-700 fw 7.18.3

                  *Prod MSR in docker/portainer
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                  LibraSunL 1 Reply Last reply
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                  • LibraSunL Offline
                    LibraSunL Offline
                    LibraSun
                    replied to gwp1 on last edited by LibraSun
                    #9

                    @gwp1 said in Random ghosting of lights when Away:

                    @toggledbits Going to ask a really dumb question: how do I create a variable to use in Set Variable ?

                    In MSR, you have two choices. #1 - Create a new Global Expression under (you guessed it) "Global Expressions" on the left-hand menu. #2 - Within any Rule, scroll down to the bottom and click to expand the Expressions pane; there, you can click [+Add Expression]. Just type its name (variable names are case-sensitive!), then tab or click into its definition window to begin creating an expression.

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                    • LibraSunL Offline
                      LibraSunL Offline
                      LibraSun
                      replied to toggledbits on last edited by
                      #10

                      @toggledbits some quick questions about the new performAction ( ) construct you've just presented:

                      1. Will there be a "Builder" button to help create these expressions in the same way getEntity currently does?
                      2. Is the semicolon ; a one-for-one alternative to comma , as a separator in multi-part expressions? or only when used as a terminator for each blocks?
                      3. Why did you elect to place that [Set Variable] sequence inside a separate rule's Set Reaction, rather than have it inside the Reset Reaction of "Active Period".
                      4. Any documentation available at this stage for performAction ( ) showing what the optional { } parameters can do?

                      This is clearly powerful mojo you've just unleashed. And your implementation example takes us into while/do territory without explicitly introducing a label/loop or repeat element.

                      (But your example does have me wondering whether "Condition Options" for Triggers and Group Constraints should offer "Randomize" drop-downs in "Pulse" for Output Control?)

                      e.g.
                      output goes true for [fixed/random] __ (to __) seconds [once/repeat] after [fixed/random] __ (to __) seconds, up to __ times
                      

                      Thoughts?

                      toggledbitsT 1 Reply Last reply
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                      • toggledbitsT Offline
                        toggledbitsT Offline
                        toggledbits
                        replied to LibraSun on last edited by
                        #11

                        @librasun

                        1. This is a tough one; which is to say, I'm developing a tough stance around the expressions in general. I'm more likely to remove the existing builder for 1.0. Expressions are an advanced user feature, and putting training wheels around what is really two simple core concepts that are foundational for an MSR user to understand in the system (i.e. how to identify a device and how to pick an attribute from it) isn't helpful in my view. In fact, your earlier suggestion of a full point-and-click expression builder actually set off alarm bells in my head and has pretty much cemented for me where expressions live in this ecosystem. As/if MSR is used by more people, I will be looking at how expressions are used and why, and trying to find ways to address those needs with conditions and actions instead, so that the need for expressions is reduced to the minimum (i.e. make more powerful tools available in the simpler interface, rather than growing the power of the most complex interface). I'm also not afraid to decide that not every automation problem needs an MSR solution. At least for version 1.0, I'm feeling just at or slightly over the limit of what I'm willing to do with expressions until I get more users and more perspective.
                        2. Semicolon and comma are treated the same in lexpjs.
                        3. Which one?
                        4. Yes. Start at the "Manual" link in the left nav, go to Creating Automations, then Expressions.

                        Author of Multi-system Reactor and Reactor, DelayLight, Switchboard, and about a dozen other plugins that run on Vera and openLuup.

                        LibraSunL 1 Reply Last reply
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                        • LibraSunL Offline
                          LibraSunL Offline
                          LibraSun
                          replied to toggledbits on last edited by LibraSun
                          #12

                          @toggledbits said in Random ghosting of lights when Away:

                          Which one?

                          I was referring to the placement of the "Reset to 0" action inside of a "Deactivate" rule (see https://smarthome.community/post/7946) rather than just resetting the variable in the Reset reaction of "Active Period" (since I believe, perhaps wrongly?, that the same thing would be accomplished either way).

                          As for the "Builder", it was just my natural response to an inner dialogue I had upon first seeing performAction ()... namely, "How will I ever remember the function 'performAction'?" and "How am I going to keep its syntax straight between uses?" and "What are the myriad valid actions it can perform on a given device?"

                          Such a powerful tool! But chances are, without a Builder, I just would avoid it entirely because I can't keep all that in my mind. Just like I currently use the "Expression Builder" of Reactor for Luup and its counterpart in MSR every single time.

                          toggledbitsT 1 Reply Last reply
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                          • toggledbitsT Offline
                            toggledbitsT Offline
                            toggledbits
                            replied to LibraSun on last edited by
                            #13

                            @librasun As I said, it depends on the complexity of your activation and deactivation. I made them separate because I think that's a more general approach -- not all "not activate" means "deactivate". But for sure, it can be done just in Activate if that is implied.

                            @librasun said in Random ghosting of lights when Away:

                            As for the "Builder", it was just my natural response to an inner dialogue I had upon first seeing performAction ()... namely, "How will I ever remember the function 'performAction'?" and "How am I going to keep its syntax straight between uses?" and "What are the myriad valid actions it can perform on a given device?"
                            Such a powerful tool! But chances are, without a Builder, I just would avoid it entirely because I can't keep all that in my mind. Just like I currently use the "Expression Builder" of Reactor for Luup and its counterpart in MSR every single time.

                            If everybody thought like this, none of us would be here because nobody would use any API and none of these tools or systems would exist. I do not expect users to get through using expressions at all without referring to the documentation from time to time. The R4V "getstate" tool is not an expression builder, it just handles that one function, as does the analogous tool in MSR. But expanding on that seems folly to me, and the more expansive, the more folly. It's anathema to the complexity of the feature (expressions), IMO.

                            Author of Multi-system Reactor and Reactor, DelayLight, Switchboard, and about a dozen other plugins that run on Vera and openLuup.

                            LibraSunL 1 Reply Last reply
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                            • LibraSunL Offline
                              LibraSunL Offline
                              LibraSun
                              replied to toggledbits on last edited by
                              #14

                              @toggledbits Agreed. I accept my limitations here, too, just as I have for the past 40 years when attempting to write computer programs. (Ironic, since I taught Applesoft BASIC and LOGO to hundreds of kids in the 1980s.)

                              For me, composing things like Regex matches, Javascript/Google Apps Script macros, PUT requests, and more generally API calls with code -- even rudimentary Linux commands at the prompt -- means hours of Googling, reading docs, and/or hunting up examples.

                              So long as we teamwork those MSR docs into something brimming with Pro Tips and Working Examples, I (and 99.9% of users) will be fine. But coming up with Expressions from scratch, on-the-fly with weeks/months between visits to the UI will remain challenging, by design, as you rightly point out.

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                              • toggledbitsT Offline
                                toggledbitsT Offline
                                toggledbits
                                wrote on last edited by toggledbits
                                #15

                                That's another reason I really want to see how they get used and what opportunities are possible to add rule or reaction features to alleviate the need. Those interfaces more or less put the options in front of you -- they are Reactor/MSR's expression builders.

                                On a related note, anecdote: in the late 90s/early 2Ks, I was a Perl power user, big time. Maybe half of my projects and output were Perl at that time. Then tides shifted and until just a few days ago, I had not touched Perl. But I had a file-handling task that was tailor-made for Perl, so I dove in. What a mess. What would have taken me a half hour 20 years ago took me hours that day, much of it Google-searching. C'est la vie.

                                Author of Multi-system Reactor and Reactor, DelayLight, Switchboard, and about a dozen other plugins that run on Vera and openLuup.

                                LibraSunL 1 Reply Last reply
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                                • LibraSunL Offline
                                  LibraSunL Offline
                                  LibraSun
                                  replied to toggledbits on last edited by
                                  #16

                                  @toggledbits Given your affinity for logic charts and equivalences, I think it bears asking at this juncture: What can performAction() do that a carefully-iterated Set/Reset Action cannot?

                                  After all, if a user can already set up a device array, use Expressions to advance its index step-wise, and loop (or call) a Rule (or Reaction) repeatedly based on Conditions... is there a particular use-case where performAction() simplifies things or enables something otherwise impossible?

                                  Please show me to the door if I've overstayed my welcome on this topic. 🙂

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                                  • toggledbitsT Offline
                                    toggledbitsT Offline
                                    toggledbits
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #17

                                    I'll answer a question with a question: what would the Cycler rule look like without performAction()?

                                    Author of Multi-system Reactor and Reactor, DelayLight, Switchboard, and about a dozen other plugins that run on Vera and openLuup.

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                                    • LibraSunL Offline
                                      LibraSunL Offline
                                      LibraSun
                                      wrote on last edited by LibraSun
                                      #18

                                      Here's a naive stab at one solution. It uses a single expression to decide which of N "channels" will get toggled on the next cycle.

                                      cycler_expressions.png

                                      The rule itself runs so long as the Trigger condition remains TRUE. For testing purposes, I have it set to Pulse true for 5 seconds and repeat every 10 seconds, but the 'Repeat' interval would normally be much longer as in your example, above.

                                      Since the 'Reset' reaction would normally engage after each Pulse, I included a Group Constraint to check whether my Trigger condition (in this case, the Fireplace light being ON) has gone FALSE. Only then will the ghost lights all be turned OFF.

                                      cycler_reset.png

                                      The fun part in between happens in the 'Set' reaction, comprising 3 groups (one for each "channel"):

                                      cycler_set1.png cycler_set2.png

                                      As should be clear here, I was forced to "hard wire" my selection of ghost lights by naming them explicitly within each Reaction. This illustrates just how convenient the new performAction() function is, allowing enumeration of an arbitrary (and easily editable) set of ghost lights listed within a single array as with your example.

                                      Unquestionably, performAction() brings much value to the table for users who strive for compactness, readability and ease of maintenance in their Rules.

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                                      • LibraSunL Offline
                                        LibraSunL Offline
                                        LibraSun
                                        wrote on last edited by LibraSun
                                        #19

                                        To answer my own question about, "How do you find which Actions a particular device can do using performAction()?"

                                        The answer is: ENTITIES

                                        Go to the left menu, click Entities, scroll down or filter to find the specific device or class of devices, pick a device and then scroll down to its list of "Actions". There, you will find all possible arguments for performAction(), such as power_switch.off. Enjoy!

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                                        • LibraSunL Offline
                                          LibraSunL Offline
                                          LibraSun
                                          wrote on last edited by LibraSun
                                          #20

                                          @toggledbits I know you made a conscious decision that performAction() should return null, but would you consider having it return an object of the form:

                                          {device: "vera>device_138", action: "power_switch.off", parameters: {<parameters>}, time: 1620912239172}
                                          

                                          instead? I'd find this useful in troubleshooting Rules, especially those using enumeration as in the above examples, without having to resort to Log inspection every time.

                                          • Libra
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