Variables for Rules and Dashboards!

James · May 11, 2020, 10:12pm

Examples

This enables some really neat capabilities in rules - here’s a few examples:

Set a $volumeLevel variable from a dashboard and have it set the volume level of multiple speakers to the new level
When motion is detected, take a snapshot of the current dim level, change to a desired level, then reset the light back to the ‘snapshot’ level
Use a true/false variable as a condition for determining if a static value or a stored variable should be used for setting the dim level
- eg. IF $isPartyMode THEN setVolume($partyLevel) ELSE setVolume(5)
Use variables to ‘aggregate’ the status of multiple devices in place of virtual devices
- Aggregation example using virtual devices (substitute variables in the THEN and ELSE)
Use a variable to dynamically change the threshold of an IF condition
- eg. Change the threshold from the dashboard and the IF condition in a rule will use that value for a comparison - for example, when you want to fine tune a temperature threshold

Here are a couple screenshots showing where to toggle the static input or variable in the Trigger/IF_Condition and Device Command.