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Intro

With zendō, you can configure automations that run even when the app is closed or the phone is locked. These automations can be triggered when you arrive or leave a location, or when you open the app at or away from a specific location. When a location-based automation is triggered, the zendō app will directly connect to your Home Assistant to start the automation, ensuring your privacy. Location-based automations are linked to the people you invite to your home. Automations will automatically apply to all new devices (e.g. phones/tablets) you add for a person. If you change your phone, you don’t have to do anything; automations will just work.

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Geofences vs zendō location-based automations

Location-based automations on zendō are slightly different from traditional geofences.

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Location-based automations are a “status update”

Geofences only trigger when arriving or leaving a location. If they fail, you can’t manually run the automation. In contrast, location-based automations on zendō run when arriving or leaving a location, but they also run when you open the app at or away from that location. Think of them as a “status update”: a signal is sent to Home Assistant when you’re at or away from the location (rather than just notifying your Home Assistant when you arrive or leave).

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What happens when the automation doesn’t run

Geofences run when you arrive or leave a location. If the mobile signal is weak or the phone is not connected to the internet, they will simply fail silently. Location-based automations on zendō also run when you arrive or leave a location. However, if the mobile signal is weak or the phone is not connected to the internet, a notification will appear on the screen, prompting you to open the app.

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Why a different implementation

We’ve chosen a different implementation to improve traditional geofences, making them more robust.

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Set up location-based automations on Home Assistant

Location-based automations run more frequently than traditional geofences. The best way to implement them is using an on/off flag (input_boolean).
The zendō location-based automations are like “status updates”. To set them up, create an input_boolean for each location-based automation you set up on zendō. Set the input_boolean to true/on as the at-the-location action and false/off otherwise. Now, you can automate based on the status of this input_boolean:
  • When the input switches from on to off, the person is not at the location (e.g., they’ve left home)
  • When the input switches from off to on, the person is at the location (e.g., they’ve arrived home)

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Home/Away automations

Home/Away automations are great to know if someone is at home or not, allowing you to adjust your home’s settings to save energy or for optimal comfort. To set up a new automation:
  1. Tap
    (Settings)
  2. Tap “Location-based automations”
  3. Select the person the automation will apply to
  4. Tap “Add automation”
  5. Make sure “Automation type” is set to “Home/Away”
  6. Select the actions for at home and not at home
    1. If you’ve setup input_boolean, select “On/Off” action
    2. Otherwise, select “Automation” action

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Custom location automations

Sometimes, you want to run specific actions when people are away from home, such as when you get to the office or when the kids are in school. With zendō, you can define location-based automation to trigger actions when arriving or leaving a chosen location. To set up a new automation:
  1. Tap
    (Settings)
  2. Tap “Location-based automations”
  3. Select the person the automation will apply to
  4. Tap “Add automation”
  5. Make sure “Automation type” is set to “Custom Location”
  6. Choose the location you want to monitor
  7. Select the actions for at the location and not at location
    1. If you’ve setup input_boolean, select “On/Off” action
    2. Otherwise, select “Automation” action

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Inspiration: what you can automate

Here are some examples of cool automations you can set up:
  • Your home can save energy during the day when you’re away by turning off lights and setting the thermostat to Eco mode
  • Your home will be comfortably heated or cooled by the time you arrive
  • You’ll be greeted home with lights (only after sunset)

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Automations are not working

If something is not working, please check our troubleshoot guide.