Home Assistant Guide

What Is a Blueprint?

A blueprint is a pre-made automation or script with customizable options (like which device or sensor to use). Think of it as a "fill-in-the-blanks" form: you pick a blueprint, set the options, and Home Assistant generates the actual automation for you.

Why Use Blueprints?

• Easy setup: You don't need to understand YAML code to use blueprints. Just fill in the form in the UI.
• Shareable: You can download blueprints made by others or share your own with the community.
• Consistent: Blueprints help you quickly create multiple similar automations (like motion lights in different rooms).

How Do I Use a Blueprint?

1. Find a Blueprint: Get blueprints from the Blueprint Exchange or other trusted sources.
2. Import into Home Assistant: In the Home Assistant UI, go to Settings > Automations & Scenes > Blueprints and click "Import Blueprint". Paste the URL or upload the file.
3. Create an Automation from the Blueprint: Click "Create Automation" and follow the prompts to set your devices and preferences.
4. Save & Enable: Once you've filled in all the options, save your automation. It will now run like any other automation!

Example Use Cases

• Motion-activated lights: A single blueprint can power lights in any room - just pick the sensor and light for each instance.
• Notification automations: Easily set up alerts (door opened, washing done, etc.) for any device or person.
• Wake-up routines: Use a blueprint to trigger a sequence (lights, music, coffee) on a set schedule.

Tips & Things to Know

• You can edit automations made from blueprints if you need more customization, but they'll no longer be linked to the blueprint.
• Some blueprints require certain integrations (like Zigbee, Z-Wave, or custom sensors) - always check the blueprint's requirements.
• Blueprints aren't just for automations: You can also find blueprints for scripts and sometimes even scenes.