Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Home Assistant blueprints
What is a Home Assistant blueprint?
A Home Assistant blueprint is a pre-made automation template that you can import and use in your smart home. Think of it as a recipe for an automation - instead of building everything from scratch, you can import a blueprint and just fill in your specific devices and preferences. Blueprints save time and make complex automations accessible to everyone.
How do I install a blueprint in Home Assistant?
Installing a blueprint is simple! Click the "Import" button on any blueprint page, which will open your Home Assistant instance. If that doesn't work, go to Settings → Automations & Scenes → Blueprints in Home Assistant, click the Import Blueprint button, and paste the blueprint URL. Once imported, you can create automations from it by clicking 'Create Automation' and filling in your specific devices.
Are blueprints safe to use?
Yes, blueprints are generally safe! All blueprints in our directory come from verified GitHub repositories and are openly available for review. Since blueprints are just YAML configuration files, they can't execute arbitrary code or compromise your system. However, we always recommend reviewing the blueprint's code before importing, especially if it interacts with critical devices like locks or alarms.
What's the difference between a blueprint and an automation?
A blueprint is a template or recipe for an automation, while an automation is a specific instance that runs in your Home Assistant. Think of it like a cookie cutter (blueprint) versus the actual cookies (automations). One blueprint can be used to create many automations with different settings. For example, a 'motion-activated light' blueprint could be used to create separate automations for your kitchen, bedroom, and hallway.
Can I modify a blueprint after importing it?
Once you import a blueprint, you can't directly modify the blueprint itself - but you don't need to! When you create an automation from a blueprint, you're making a copy that you can fully customize. If you want to make changes beyond what the blueprint allows, you can convert the automation to a regular automation in the Home Assistant UI (look for the three-dot menu) and then edit the YAML directly.
Why isn't my blueprint working?
Common issues include: (1) Missing required entities - make sure all devices/entities the blueprint needs exist in your Home Assistant, (2) Wrong domain - some blueprints only work with specific integrations like ZHA or Z-Wave JS, (3) Outdated Home Assistant version - check if the blueprint requires a newer version, (4) Incorrect configuration - review all required inputs carefully. Check the automation's trace in the Home Assistant UI to see exactly where it's failing.
How do I find blueprints for my specific devices?
Use our search and filter features! You can browse by category (like 'Motion Detection' or 'Notifications'), filter by complexity level, or search by device name. Many blueprint names and descriptions include specific device models. You can also filter by selector type - for example, if you want blueprints that work with specific entity types, use the selector filters.
Can I create and share my own blueprints?
Absolutely! Creating blueprints is a great way to share your automations with the community. You can create blueprints in Home Assistant by writing YAML files following the blueprint schema. To share them, upload to GitHub and click 'Submit Blueprint' in our navigation menu. Your blueprint will be added to the directory after our next scraping cycle (typically runs weekly).
What do complexity levels (simple/medium/complex) mean?
Complexity levels indicate how many configuration inputs a blueprint requires. Simple blueprints have 0-5 inputs and are great for beginners. Medium blueprints have 6-10 inputs and offer more customization. Complex blueprints have 11+ inputs and provide extensive control but may take longer to configure. Start with simple blueprints if you're new to Home Assistant!
How often are blueprints updated in the directory?
Our directory automatically scrapes blueprints from verified GitHub repositories. Repository data including stars, views, and blueprint content is refreshed regularly. When blueprint authors update their blueprints on GitHub, those changes will appear in our directory after the next scraping cycle. Check the 'Last Updated' date on each blueprint page to see when it was last modified.
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Still have questions?
Join the Home Assistant community forums or check out the official documentation