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Discussion Forum to share and further the development of home control and automation, independent of platforms.
M

mblindsey

@mblindsey
Upcoming Storage Change -- Got Back-ups?
toggledbitsT
TL;DR: Format of data in storage directory will soon change. Make sure you are backing up the contents of that directory in its entirety, and you preserve your backups for an extended period, particularly the backup you take right before upgrading to the build containing this change (date of that is still to be determined, but soon). The old data format will remain readable (so you'll be able to read your pre-change backups) for the foreseeable future. In support of a number of other changes in the works, I have found it necessary to change the storage format for Reactor objects in storage at the physical level. Until now, plain, standard JSON has been used to store the data (everything under the storage directory). This has served well, but has a few limitations, including no real support for native JavaScript objects like Date, Map, Set, and others. It also is unable to store data that contains "loops" — objects that reference themselves in some way. I'm not sure exactly when, but in the not-too-distant future I will publish a build using the new data format. It will automatically convert existing JSON data to the new format. For the moment, it will save data in both the new format and the old JSON format, preferring the former when loading data from storage. I have been running my own home with this new format for several months, and have no issues with data loss or corruption. A few other things to know: If you are not already backing up your storage directory, you should be. At a minimum, back this directory up every time you make big changes to your Rules, Reactions, etc. Your existing JSON-format backups will continue to be readable for the long-term (years). The code that loads data from these files looks for the new file format first (which will have a .dval suffix), and if not found, will happily read (and convert) a same-basenamed .json file (i.e. it looks for ruleid.dval first, and if it doesn't find it, it tries to load ruleid.json). I'll publish detailed instructions for restoring from old backups when the build is posted (it's easy). The new .dval files are not directly human-readable or editable as easily as the old .json files. A new utility will be provided in the tools directory to convert .dval data to .json format, which you can then read or edit if you find that necessary. However, that may not work for all future data, as my intent is to make more native JavaScript objects directly storable, and many of those objects cannot be stored in JSON. You may need to modify your backup tools/scripts to pick up the new files: if you explicitly name .json files (rather than just specifying the entire storage directory) in your backup configuration, you will need to add .dval files to get a complete, accurate backup. I don't think this will be an issue for any of you; I imagine that you're all just backing up the entire contents of storage regardless of format/name, that is the safest (and IMO most correct) way to go (if that's not what you're doing, consider changing your approach). The current code stores the data in both the .dval form and the .json form to hedge against any real-world problems I don't encounter in my own use. Some future build will drop this redundancy (i.e. save only to .dval form). However, the read code for the .json form will remain in any case. This applies only to persistent storage that Reactor creates and controls under the storage tree. All other JSON data files (e.g. device data for Controllers) are unaffected by this change and will remain in that form. YAML files are also unaffected by this change. This thread is open for any questions or concerns.
Multi-System Reactor
Oddness in Copy/Move of Reactions
G
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Multi-System Reactor
[Solved] function isRuleEnabled() issue
CrilleC
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Multi-System Reactor
[Reactor] Problem with Global Reactions and groups
therealdbT
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Multi-System Reactor
Possible feature request 2?
CatmanV2C
Just another thought. Adding devices from my Home Assistant / Zigbee2MQTT integration. Works perfectly but they always add as their IEEE address. Some of these devices have up to 10 entities associated, and the moment they are renamed to something sensible, each of those entities 'ceases to exist' in MSR. I like things tidy, and deleting each defunct entity needs 3 clicks. Any chance of a 'bulk delete' option? No biggy as I've pretty much finished my Z-wave migration and I don't expect to be adding more than 2 new Zigbee devices Cheers C
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
Genuinely impressed with Zigbee and HA / Reactor
CatmanV2C
Just for the record, in case anyone is following, I'm really rather impressed. I have installed one of these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B6P22YJC?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 That's connected (physically) to the VM running on my Synology, with a 2m USB extension. The same host also runs Openluup, Mosquito, HA Bridge. Yesterday I installed Zigbee2mqtt. That was a bit of a PITA but mostly because of ports and permissions. Once up and running, and the correct boxes ticked, immediately visible in Home Assistant via the MQTT integration, and thence into Reactor I've only got two devices. I bought the cheapest sensor I could find, which is a door sensor. Dead easy to add to ZIgbee2mqtt and again, immediately visible in HA. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FPQLWRW1?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title The dongle is on the top floor of the house, and I wanted the sensor on the back door (just about as far apart as it's possible to get short of going into the garage) When I moved the sensor downstairs it dropped out pretty instantly (which wasn't a huge surprise) so quick bit of research found out that smart plugs will act as routers so... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FDQDPGBB?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title Took me about 30 seconds to connect. Updated the name. Instantly visible in Reactor with the new name pushed over from Zigbee2mqtt. And lo, the door sensor now has a signal of 140 and works as far as I can tell perfectly and instantly (unlike my z-wave one). A few more of those will be purchased and used to replace the Tuya wifi cloud devices and the (continually failing) Z-wave plugs (yeah, they were TKB so....) Commended to the house. Thanks for everyone that got me on the right lines. C
Zigbee
Copying a global reaction
tunnusT
With build 25328, if you copy a global reaction, a new reaction does not appear in the UI unless you do a refresh. I recall this used to work without needing this page refresh? Anyway, only a minor nuisance.
Multi-System Reactor
[HowTo] Using HABridge with Reactor
therealdbT
If you’re like me and still running HABridge to control your devices locally via Alexa, you might need to tweak your endpoints to call Reactor via HTTP. Here’s the best way to do it, IMO: Insert the Reactor Canonical ID (e.g., zwavejs>71-1) into the MapID field, but make sure it’s URL-encoded like this: zwavejs%3E71-1. Then, configure these endpoints as needed: On: http://[ReactorIP]:8111/api/v1/entity/${device.mapId}/perform/power_switch.on Off: http://[ReactorIP]:8111/api/v1/entity/${device.mapId}/perform/power_switch.off Dim: For lights: http://[ReactorIP]:8111/api/v1/entity/${device.mapId}/perform/dimming.set?level=${intensity.decimal_percent} For roller shutters: http://[ReactorIP]:8111/api/v1/entity/${device.mapId}/perform/position.set?value=${intensity.decimal_percent} Color: http://[ReactorIP]:8111/api/v1/entity/${device.mapId}/perform/rgb_color.set_rgb?red=${color.r}&green=${color.g}&blue=${color.b} Just replace [ReactorIP] with your actual IP address. By using these placeholders, you can standardize your endpoints across all devices, making maintenance easier. This setup works with any device mapped under MSR, regardless of the controller (ZWaveJS, Vera, HASS, OpenSprinkler, virtual, MQTT, DynamicEntities, etc.). If you need different calls, just go to the entities, get the action and parameters, and adjust accordingly. Enjoy super fast access to your devices via Alexa! If you're migrating from Vera, the endpoints are (URL-encoded) in a file called device.db, in JSON format, under your config. You'd write a script to align the new endpoints to the new one, if you prefer to do it automatically. YMMV.
How-To
[Reactor] Bug when sending MQTT boolean payloads
therealdbT
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Multi-System Reactor
Difficulty defining repeating annual period
R
I have tried numerous ways to define a recurring annual period, for example from December 15 to January 15. No matter which method I try - after and before, between, after and/not after, Reactor reports "waiting for invalid date, invalid date. Some constructs also seem to cause Reactor to hang, timeout and restart. For example "before January 15 is evaluated as true, but reports "waiting for invalid date, invalid date". Does anyone have a tried and true method to define a recurring annual period? I think the "between" that I used successfully in the past may have broken with one of the updates.
Multi-System Reactor
Need help with sequence
T
Good evening all, For about the past week or so, I've been having problems with a specific rule in my home automation that controls when my home goes from an Away mode to Home mode. One of the conditions it checked for was my alarm panel, when it changed from Armed Away to Disarmed. There seems to have been a firmware update on the panel that added an intermittent step of "pending", and I can't say for certain it happens 100% of the time. Is there a way to write a condition that so it changes from one condition, to the next, and then another condition? As in, Home alarm changes from armed_away to pending to disarmed. Thanks.
Multi-System Reactor
Possible feature request?
CatmanV2C
No idea how easy this would be. During my migration away from Z-wave I've been replacing the Z-wave devices with Sonoff which has broken some of my automations. Any chance of a 'Test Reaction' function to call out which ones are broken because an entity no longer exists? Without actually running the reaction? Or does this exist already and I'm just not aware of how to do it? Obviously I can see entities that are no longer available, but not quite what I'm looking for. I guess it's something of an edge case so no huge issue. TIA! C
Multi-System Reactor
Logic Assistance: Exterior Lights on when Illuminance Below Threshold
PablaP
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Multi-System Reactor
Time series documentation
tunnusT
Is the current manual (incl. examples) up to date with how retention value is handled in time series configuration? Referring to this post
Multi-System Reactor
MQTT templates for ZIgbee scene controller, or a better way?
CatmanV2C
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Multi-System Reactor
Reset a delay
CatmanV2C
I'm sure this has been asked, and answered, but damned if I can figure it out Use case: I have a rear garden with lights. A door from the kitchen into the garden and a door from the garage. Currently if I open the kitchen door the lights come on (yay) and a 3 minute delay starts. After 3 minutes, no matter what else happens, the lights go off (Boo! But also yay!) What I would like is for the 3 minute delay until the lights go off to start from the latest door open event. That is, if I'm going from kitchen to garage, and back again, the lights stay on until there's three minutes of no activity. I've tried 'hacking' with a virtual switch, but can't seem to stop the delay. Any pointers? TIA C
Multi-System Reactor
Zigbee2mqtt installed! sytemctl not happy :(
CatmanV2C
Hello oh great ones. After a couple of hours messing with ports and permissions I have Zigbee2mqtt installed and running on my virtual pi Can connect to the front end and everything Odd one though, simply cannot get systemctl to work and the error is, well, unhelpful. The service file is this: [Unit] Description=zigbee2mqtt After=network.target [Service] Environment=NODE_ENV=production Type=notify ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/node index.js WorkingDirectory=/opt/zigbee2mqtt StandardOutput=inherit # Or use StandardOutput=null if you don't want Zigbee2MQTT messages filling syslog, for more options see systemd.exec(5) StandardError=inherit WatchdogSec=10s Restart=always RestartSec=10s User=pi [Install] WantedBy=multi-user.target Straight out of the docs with the change to point to my local node install (which we know works as it's the same as the very fine Reactor is using. Running manually pnpm start in /opt/zigbee2mqtt works fine However: catman@openluup:/etc/systemd/system$ sudo systemctl start zigbee2mqtt.service Job for zigbee2mqtt.service failed because the control process exited with error code. See "systemctl status zigbee2mqtt.service" and "journalctl -xe" for details. Which I have catman@openluup:/etc/systemd/system$ sudo systemctl status zigbee2mqtt.service ● zigbee2mqtt.service - zigbee2mqtt Loaded: loaded (/etc/systemd/system/zigbee2mqtt.service; disabled; vendor preset: enabled) Active: activating (auto-restart) (Result: exit-code) since Tue 2025-12-16 12:32:42 GMT; 4s ago Process: 3093 ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/node index.js (code=exited, status=217/USER) Main PID: 3093 (code=exited, status=217/USER) and -- A start job for unit zigbee2mqtt.service has begun execution. -- -- The job identifier is 17477. Dec 16 12:35:16 openluup systemd[3178]: zigbee2mqtt.service: Failed to determine user credentials: No such process Dec 16 12:35:16 openluup systemd[3178]: zigbee2mqtt.service: Failed at step USER spawning /usr/local/bin/node: No such process -- Subject: Process /usr/local/bin/node could not be executed -- Defined-By: systemd -- Support: https://www.debian.org/support -- -- The process /usr/local/bin/node could not be executed and failed. -- -- The error number returned by this process is ERRNO. Dec 16 12:35:16 openluup systemd[1]: zigbee2mqtt.service: Main process exited, code=exited, status=217/USER -- Subject: Unit process exited -- Defined-By: systemd -- Support: https://www.debian.org/support -- -- An ExecStart= process belonging to unit zigbee2mqtt.service has exited. -- -- The process' exit code is 'exited' and its exit status is 217. Dec 16 12:35:16 openluup systemd[1]: zigbee2mqtt.service: Failed with result 'exit-code'. -- Subject: Unit failed -- Defined-By: systemd -- Support: https://www.debian.org/support -- -- The unit zigbee2mqtt.service has entered the 'failed' state with result 'exit-code'. Dec 16 12:35:16 openluup systemd[1]: Failed to start zigbee2mqtt. -- Subject: A start job for unit zigbee2mqtt.service has failed -- Defined-By: systemd -- Support: https://www.debian.org/support -- -- A start job for unit zigbee2mqtt.service has finished with a failure. Which strikes me as very odd. Any blindingly obvious things I'm missing? TIA! C
Zigbee
Any thoughts on which is better
CatmanV2C
Obviously a quiet forum, but perhaps it's time I'm looking at rolling Zigbee into my system, in large part for the Aqara FP300 presence sensors which seem to finally provide a solution to if the wasp is actually in the box. My current set up is as follows: One Debian VM on Synology NAS running: Z-wave Server Open Luup Multi system reactor HA bridge Mosquito MQQT broker This machine has a UZB Z-wave stick connected via the USB port on the NAS Another HAOS VM on the same NAS running HAOS I've got some older Z-wave stuff that I keep around until it fails. I have some Tuya stuff integrated in HA My thought was to get either a SMLIGHT SLZB-06M or an Aqara Hub M2 Integrate them via Zigbee2MQQT (running on the Debian machine) and then expose them in HA so I can continue to automate in MSR. Thoughts on which of those devices wold be preferable long term. Both are POE capable which is good. It also appears I could add a USB dongle to the NAS and expose it to the HAOS machine. Any thoughts from the assembled experts here? TIA C
Zigbee
Single protocol?
CatmanV2C
Another question to the hive mind. Prompted by the fact that I lost yet another z-wave device over the weekend due to a power issue. It looks like z-way server is reporting another device failed (although it's working fine) and message queue is far too long IMHO. Also the failed device has been removed in the expert interface, but still there in the 'normal' one. Sigh. Currently I have z-wave, Tuya, thinking about Zigbee.... Does anyone use one single protocol for everything? Right now I'm feeling that as the z-wave stuff dies, I'm just gonna replace it with something else.... C
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  • (Need Help) Migrate off Vera
    M mblindsey

    Thanks for the additional advice, much appreciated! Another thing I should note is that I really never got around to “automation”, other than some simple experimentation. In fact, the only event that was ever implemented long term was turning off/on outside lights at sun rise/sun set. So, at least from that perspective, there isn’t much loss or rework to do. The number one use case is allowing my wife to turn lights on/off remotely using HA iOS app. I’ve taught her how to do this via VPN to the home, and have also used the Nabu Casa Remote UI option too, which is arguably less secure, but I wanted to support the project. I digress. It sounds like the work in front of me is:

    • getting z-way installed
    • getting the correct UZB firmware installed
    • walking the house and migrating each light switch
    • setting up the integration between HA, homebridge, and z-way
    • (future) research and make use of the extra razzberry and/or aoetec to create some sort of fault tolerance. (Maybe even mod the razzberry with external antennas).
    • (future) figure what to do with the Vera plus...use it as a personal HW hacking project, factory reset and sell on eBay, or donate to someone who is still fighting for that cause.
    • (future) pick up a mini-pc to replace rPI’s for a more robust setup. My Plex setup is running off an older i5 NUC, which I’ve considered upgrading, but it would be overkill if repurposed for this task ... I’m going to need something centrally located.

    I’m happy to have found this forum, look forward to jumping back in to things, and hopefully I’ll be able to help the next person that gets “stuck” like me.

    All the best,
    Michael

    Vera
  • (Need Help) Migrate off Vera
    M mblindsey

    @cubs2b23 said in (Need Help) Migrate off Vera:

    For less complicated reasons I abandoned Vera with about this many devices. It wasn’t awful to start from scratch but I’m not going to lie and say it wasn’t frustrating to have to get to that point. I moved all zwave devices to Zway with only a few hiccups.

    Frustrating for sure. So, much so, that I've been avoiding fixing my broken set up for quite a long time .... thanks for sharing your experience!

    Vera
  • (Need Help) Migrate off Vera
    M mblindsey

    @rafale77

    Thanks a million for the quick reply! I was afraid that a total rebuild might be required. I was hoping to avoid it as I've had to replace a GE/Jasco switch or two, and it's never worked smoothly. But, my fingers are crossed that my troubles were coming from the Vera and not the GE switches. Almost all switches are early generation GE 1272#: paddle switch, dimmer, fan control or add-on/3way. I'll start the process and update this post with my experience. Thanks again!

    I forgot to mention, that along with the z-way UZB and razzbery devices, I also have a Aeotec Z-Stick Gen5. I've never used any of those three. I had early intentions of using the Aeotec as backup, but never got around to it. I've got some more research to do, but hopefully I can build something that is resilient out of all these parts.

    Vera
  • (Need Help) Migrate off Vera
    M mblindsey

    Current Hardware: Vera Plus, HA in Synology Docker
    Firmware: v.7.0.31
    Available SW / HW: Multiple RPi's, Z-Way UZB w/lic, Z-Way Razberry board
    ZWave Devices: 30-ish early gen GE/Jasco light switches

    Issue: I've gotten myself into a spot that I'm not quite sure how to safely get out of, and I'm hoping someone on this forum can help me. I would ultimately like to get to a point where I'm using Home Assistant in Docker on my Synology as my UI for turning on/off lights, but I've read the "Pyramid" post and am open to other options. I can currently ssh to my Vera Plus, but cannot access the web UI (get a 403).

    How I Got Here:

    1. Back in Feb'19, I followed @rafale77's instructions to take my Vera off the grid. At the time, it looks like I was running version 7.0.26. This worked great.

    2. I installed HA in Docker w/socat on my Synology NAS, and things were running perfectly for a long time, but I was forced to upgrade HA in tandem with an upgrade to the iOS app. So, I chose to use a Docker build that already had socat built in.

    3. Then, I saw that there was a new version of firmware for Vera, and decided to upgrade to Firmware v.7.0.31 around Apr'20. This was a mistake in a big way, and I sought help on the new version of the Vera forums, which eventually led me here. I also re-ran @rafale77's mod files on the newer firmware version, and I think I shot myself in the foot there. I knew it was gamble, and take full responsibility. I've learned a lot and have benefitted greatly from his work.

    4. I tried to run the Nuke Vera script, as that sounded exactly what I needed my Vera to do - take commands from HA and nothing else. This seems to be working, but I'm unable to control my network with HA.

    Additional things I've done / tried / worry about:

    1. Validated that HA is sending and receiving responses via socat from the Vera in the HA openzwave logs. I see logs that seem to indicate that a message is sent, and a message comes back from the Vera, but lights don't turn on/off. I've clicked the Heal Network, Test, Network, and Soft Reset buttons in the HA UI too.

    2. I purchased a razberry. Then, I ordered a UZB, after seeing this post about migrating, assuming that it was best to try to follow that guide verbatim and not have to exclude / include a bunch of devices. I'm leaning towards completely divorcing myself from Vera.

    3. I'm not 100% sure I have a valid backup of my zwave config. There are no dongle.dump files in /etc/cmh whch may make sense, as I was using after an external drive w/extroot. I do have some in ./mnt/sda2/etc/cmh/. It looks like I've got extra, actually, as it looks like I probably made backup copies some where along the way.

    4. I shutdown the Vera and removed the extroot drive, reversed all of the changes Nuke-Vera made to the init.d start up files, and rebooted. I did this because the migration guide mentions to set the path of the z-way UZB in the UI settings, and I couldn't find how do this over ssh. I also don't know how to backup the zwave config from the CLI and was going to do this via the UI. As mentioned previously, I'm getting a 403 "Access Denied" message. Looking at logs and the config for lighthttpd, I think it is trying to follow some symbolic links that no longer exist, but I'm hoping I can get out of the mess I've made without troubleshooting and solving the HTTPD issues. I think I just need to know how to follow the steps to clone the Vera to the UZB via the CLI?

    5. I found a command online method that allows me to view the zwave keys with hexdump. The keys on the device are different than the keys in on the drive that i was using for extroot, and that concerns me a bit.

    If you've made this far, thanks for your time! Does anyone know the best way for me to get myself out of the mess I've got myself into?

    All the best,
    Michael

    Vera
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