Home Assistant Skill

Control smart home devices via the Home Assistant REST API.

Setup

Set environment variables:

• HA_URL — Your Home Assistant URL (e.g., http://10.0.0.10:8123)
• HA_TOKEN — Long-lived access token (create in HA → Profile → Long-Lived Access Tokens)

Safety Rules

Always confirm with the user before performing these actions:

• Locks — locking or unlocking any lock
• Alarm panels — arming or disarming
• Garage doors — opening or closing (cover.* with device_class: garage)
• Security automations — disabling automations related to security or safety
• Covers — opening or closing covers that control physical access (gates, barriers)

Never act on security-sensitive devices without explicit user confirmation.

Entity Discovery

List all entities

curl -s "$HA_URL/api/states" -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  | jq -r '.[].entity_id' | sort

List entities by domain

# Switches
curl -s "$HA_URL/api/states" -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  | jq -r '.[] | select(.entity_id | startswith("switch.")) | "\(.entity_id): \(.state)"'

# Lights
curl -s "$HA_URL/api/states" -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  | jq -r '.[] | select(.entity_id | startswith("light.")) | "\(.entity_id): \(.state)"'

# Sensors
curl -s "$HA_URL/api/states" -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  | jq -r '.[] | select(.entity_id | startswith("sensor.")) | "\(.entity_id): \(.state) \(.attributes.unit_of_measurement // "")"'

Replace the domain prefix (switch., light., sensor., etc.) to discover entities in any domain.

Get single entity state

curl -s "$HA_URL/api/states/ENTITY_ID" -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN"

Area & Floor Discovery

Use the template API to query areas, floors, and labels.

# List all areas
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/template" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"template": "{{ areas() }}"}'

# Entities in a specific area
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/template" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"template": "{{ area_entities(\"kitchen\") }}"}'

# Only lights in an area
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/template" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"template": "{{ area_entities(\"kitchen\") | select(\"match\", \"light.\") | list }}"}'

# Find which area an entity belongs to
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/template" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"template": "{{ area_name(\"light.kitchen\") }}"}'

# List all floors and their areas
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/template" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"template": "{% for floor in floors() %}{{ floor }}: {{ floor_areas(floor) }}\n{% endfor %}"}'

Switches

# Turn on
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/switch/turn_on" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "switch.office_lamp"}'

# Turn off
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/switch/turn_off" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "switch.office_lamp"}'

# Toggle
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/switch/toggle" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "switch.office_lamp"}'

Lights

# Turn on with brightness
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/light/turn_on" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "light.living_room", "brightness_pct": 80}'

# Turn on with color (RGB)
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/light/turn_on" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "light.living_room", "rgb_color": [255, 150, 50]}'

# Turn on with color temperature (mireds)
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/light/turn_on" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "light.living_room", "color_temp": 300}'

# Turn off
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/light/turn_off" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "light.living_room"}'

Scenes

curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/scene/turn_on" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "scene.movie_time"}'

Scripts

# List all scripts
curl -s "$HA_URL/api/states" -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  | jq -r '.[] | select(.entity_id | startswith("script.")) | "\(.entity_id): \(.state)"'

# Run a script
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/script/turn_on" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "script.bedtime_routine"}'

# Run a script with variables
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/script/bedtime_routine" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"variables": {"brightness": 20, "delay_minutes": 5}}'

Automations

# List all automations
curl -s "$HA_URL/api/states" -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  | jq -r '.[] | select(.entity_id | startswith("automation.")) | "\(.entity_id): \(.state)"'

# Trigger an automation
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/automation/trigger" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "automation.morning_routine"}'

# Enable automation
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/automation/turn_on" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "automation.morning_routine"}'

# Disable automation
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/automation/turn_off" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "automation.morning_routine"}'

Climate Control

# Get thermostat state
curl -s "$HA_URL/api/states/climate.thermostat" -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  | jq '{state: .state, current_temp: .attributes.current_temperature, target_temp: .attributes.temperature}'

# Set temperature
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/climate/set_temperature" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "climate.thermostat", "temperature": 72}'

# Set HVAC mode (heat, cool, auto, off)
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/climate/set_hvac_mode" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "climate.thermostat", "hvac_mode": "auto"}'

Covers (Blinds, Garage Doors)

Safety: Confirm with the user before opening/closing garage doors or gates.

# Open
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/cover/open_cover" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "cover.garage_door"}'

# Close
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/cover/close_cover" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "cover.garage_door"}'

# Set position (0 = closed, 100 = open)
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/cover/set_cover_position" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "cover.blinds", "position": 50}'

Locks

Safety: Always confirm with the user before locking/unlocking.

# Lock
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/lock/lock" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "lock.front_door"}'

# Unlock
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/lock/unlock" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "lock.front_door"}'

Fans

# Turn on
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/fan/turn_on" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "fan.bedroom", "percentage": 50}'

# Turn off
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/fan/turn_off" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "fan.bedroom"}'

Media Players

# Play/pause
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/media_player/media_play_pause" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "media_player.living_room_tv"}'

# Set volume (0.0 to 1.0)
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/media_player/volume_set" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "media_player.living_room_tv", "volume_level": 0.5}'

Vacuum

# Start cleaning
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/vacuum/start" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "vacuum.robot"}'

# Return to dock
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/vacuum/return_to_base" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "vacuum.robot"}'

Alarm Control Panel

Safety: Always confirm with the user before arming/disarming.

# Arm (home mode)
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/alarm_control_panel/alarm_arm_home" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "alarm_control_panel.home"}'

# Disarm (requires code if configured)
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/alarm_control_panel/alarm_disarm" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "alarm_control_panel.home", "code": "1234"}'

Notifications

# List available notification targets
curl -s "$HA_URL/api/services" -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  | jq -r '.[] | select(.domain == "notify") | .services | keys[]' | sort

# Send a notification to a mobile device
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/notify/mobile_app_phone" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"message": "Front door opened", "title": "Home Alert"}'

# Send to all devices (default notify service)
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/notify/notify" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"message": "System alert", "title": "Home Assistant"}'

Replace mobile_app_phone with the actual service name from the list command.

Person & Presence

# Who is home?
curl -s "$HA_URL/api/states" -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  | jq -r '.[] | select(.entity_id | startswith("person.")) | "\(.attributes.friendly_name // .entity_id): \(.state)"'

# Device tracker locations
curl -s "$HA_URL/api/states" -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  | jq -r '.[] | select(.entity_id | startswith("device_tracker.")) | "\(.entity_id): \(.state)"'

States: home, not_home, or a zone name.

Weather

# Current weather
curl -s "$HA_URL/api/states/weather.home" -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  | jq '{state: .state, temperature: .attributes.temperature, humidity: .attributes.humidity, wind_speed: .attributes.wind_speed}'

# Get forecast (daily)
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/weather/get_forecasts" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "weather.home", "type": "daily"}'

# Get forecast (hourly)
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/weather/get_forecasts" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "weather.home", "type": "hourly"}'

Input Helpers

# Toggle an input boolean
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/input_boolean/toggle" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "input_boolean.guest_mode"}'

# Set input number
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/input_number/set_value" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "input_number.target_temperature", "value": 72}'

# Set input select
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/input_select/select_option" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "input_select.house_mode", "option": "Away"}'

# Set input text
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/input_text/set_value" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "input_text.welcome_message", "value": "Welcome home!"}'

# Set input datetime
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/input_datetime/set_datetime" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "input_datetime.alarm_time", "time": "07:30:00"}'

Calendar

# List all calendars
curl -s "$HA_URL/api/calendars" -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  | jq -r '.[].entity_id'

# Get upcoming events (next 7 days)
curl -s "$HA_URL/api/calendars/calendar.personal?start=$(date -u +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S.000Z)&end=$(date -u -v+7d +%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S.000Z)" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  | jq '[.[] | {summary: .summary, start: .start.dateTime, end: .end.dateTime}]'

Text-to-Speech

curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/tts/speak" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "tts.google_en", "media_player_entity_id": "media_player.living_room_speaker", "message": "Dinner is ready"}'

Replace tts.google_en with your TTS entity and media_player.living_room_speaker with the target speaker.

Call Any Service

The general pattern for any HA service:

curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/{domain}/{service}" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": "domain.entity_name", ...}'

Batch operations

Control multiple entities in one call by passing an array of entity IDs:

# Turn off all living room lights at once
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/services/light/turn_off" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"entity_id": ["light.living_room", "light.living_room_lamp", "light.living_room_ceiling"]}'

Error Handling

Check API connectivity

curl -s -o /dev/null -w "%{http_code}" "$HA_URL/api/" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN"
# Expect: 200

Verify entity exists before acting

HTTP_CODE=$(curl -s -o /dev/null -w "%{http_code}" \
  "$HA_URL/api/states/light.nonexistent" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN")
# 200 = exists, 404 = not found

HTTP status codes

Code	Meaning
200	Success
400	Bad request (malformed JSON or invalid service data)
401	Unauthorized (bad or missing token)
404	Entity or endpoint not found
405	Method not allowed (wrong HTTP method)
503	Home Assistant is starting up or unavailable

Response Format

Service calls return an array of state objects for affected entities:

[{"entity_id": "light.living_room", "state": "on", "attributes": {...}, "last_changed": "..."}]

• Successful call with no state change: returns [] (empty array)
• State read (/api/states/...): returns a single state object
• Errors: returns {"message": "..."} with an HTTP error code

Template Evaluation

The /api/template endpoint evaluates Jinja2 templates server-side. Useful for computed queries.

curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/template" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"template": "TEMPLATE_STRING"}'

Examples

# Count entities by domain
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/template" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"template": "{{ states.light | list | count }} lights"}'

# Get entity state in a template
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/template" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"template": "{{ states(\"light.living_room\") }}"}'

# List all entities that are "on"
curl -s -X POST "$HA_URL/api/template" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"template": "{{ states | selectattr(\"state\", \"eq\", \"on\") | map(attribute=\"entity_id\") | list }}"}'

Available template functions: states(), is_state(), state_attr(), areas(), area_entities(), area_name(), floors(), floor_areas(), labels(), label_entities(), devices(), device_entities(), now(), relative_time().

History & Logbook

Entity state history

# Last 24 hours for a specific entity
curl -s "$HA_URL/api/history/period?filter_entity_id=sensor.temperature" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  | jq '.[0] | [.[] | {state: .state, last_changed: .last_changed}]'

# Specific time range (ISO 8601)
curl -s "$HA_URL/api/history/period/2025-01-15T00:00:00Z?end_time=2025-01-15T23:59:59Z&filter_entity_id=sensor.temperature" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  | jq '.[0]'

Logbook

# Recent logbook entries
curl -s "$HA_URL/api/logbook" -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  | jq '.[:10]'

# Logbook for a specific entity
curl -s "$HA_URL/api/logbook?entity=light.living_room" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  | jq '.[:10] | [.[] | {name: .name, message: .message, when: .when}]'

Dashboard Overview

Quick status of all active devices:

# All lights that are on
curl -s "$HA_URL/api/states" -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  | jq -r '.[] | select(.entity_id | startswith("light.")) | select(.state == "on") | .entity_id'

# All open doors/windows (binary sensors)
curl -s "$HA_URL/api/states" -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  | jq -r '.[] | select(.entity_id | startswith("binary_sensor.")) | select(.state == "on") | select(.attributes.device_class == "door" or .attributes.device_class == "window") | .entity_id'

# Temperature sensors
curl -s "$HA_URL/api/states" -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  | jq -r '.[] | select(.entity_id | startswith("sensor.")) | select(.attributes.device_class == "temperature") | "\(.attributes.friendly_name // .entity_id): \(.state)\(.attributes.unit_of_measurement // "")"'

# Climate summary (all thermostats)
curl -s "$HA_URL/api/states" -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  | jq -r '.[] | select(.entity_id | startswith("climate.")) | "\(.attributes.friendly_name // .entity_id): \(.state), current: \(.attributes.current_temperature)°, target: \(.attributes.temperature)°"'

# Lock status
curl -s "$HA_URL/api/states" -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  | jq -r '.[] | select(.entity_id | startswith("lock.")) | "\(.attributes.friendly_name // .entity_id): \(.state)"'

# Who is home
curl -s "$HA_URL/api/states" -H "Authorization: Bearer $HA_TOKEN" \
  | jq -r '.[] | select(.entity_id | startswith("person.")) | "\(.attributes.friendly_name // .entity_id): \(.state)"'

Entity Domains

Domain	Examples
switch.*	Smart plugs, generic switches
light.*	Lights (Hue, LIFX, etc.)
scene.*	Pre-configured scenes
script.*	Reusable action sequences
automation.*	Automations
climate.*	Thermostats, AC units
cover.*	Blinds, garage doors, gates
lock.*	Smart locks
fan.*	Fans, ventilation
media_player.*	TVs, speakers, streaming devices
vacuum.*	Robot vacuums
alarm_control_panel.*	Security systems
notify.*	Notification targets
person.*	People / presence tracking
device_tracker.*	Device locations
weather.*	Weather conditions and forecasts
calendar.*	Calendar events
tts.*	Text-to-speech engines
sensor.*	Temperature, humidity, power, etc.
binary_sensor.*	Motion, door/window, presence
input_boolean.*	Virtual toggles
input_number.*	Numeric sliders
input_select.*	Dropdown selectors
input_text.*	Text inputs
input_datetime.*	Date/time inputs

Notes

• API returns JSON by default
• Long-lived tokens don't expire — store securely
• Test entity IDs with the list command first
• For locks, alarms, and garage doors — always confirm actions with the user