For about ten years home automation has been a hobby of mine. I started out with X10 devices, added some Insteon devices and have since fully transitioned to Z-wave and a couple of wifi-based devices. I’m currently using Indigo 7, a software application for macOS. Though I’ve used a Wink controller at another property, I’m fond of Indigo due to it’s excellent support for plugins and scripting, which offers the ability to do far more than any stand-alone controller can do.
This page is a collection of tips for customizing an Indigo system. The software developers provide excellent support; if you’re trying to do something that I haven’t mentioned then be certain that you review their technical documentation and visit the support forums.
Tips
- Toggling status variables in Triggers, Schedules and Actions for virtual devices seems to be more reliable than toggling the actual virtual devices
- Use the ID when referencing Indio variables, devices, etc in Python scripting so you won’t need to update the code if you change a name.
- For example, use indigo.variables[872936515] instead of indigo.variables[‘Master Bedroom Light’]
- Growl notifications pushed to Prowl is a great way to send notifications to iOS
- You can save the current state of a device into variables and then restore it via scripting (useful for visual notifications)
- In some cases it may work better to use a Schedule that checks conditions on a regular basis instead of a Trigger
Blog Posts
- Correcting RGB Color Value Scales for FLUX LED Strip plugin devices in Indigo – Python Scripting
- Nexlud LED Strips for TV Backlight and Home Automation (Magic Home)
- Restarting an Active Plugin in Indigo 7 – Python Scripting
- Logitech Harmony Companion All in One Remote Control
- Kwikset 910 Z-Wave SmartCode Electronic Touchpad Deadbolt
- Using a Kwikset 910 Z-Wave SmartCode Electronic Touchpad Deadbolt without the Keypad
- Using an Aeotec Smart Strip
- Using Indigo 7 for Home Automation with a Mac
- Home Automation: “The dryer has finished drying your clothes.”
- Washing Machine Notification (Smart Energy Sensor & Indigo)
- Using a Multi-Color LED Bulb to Visually Indicate the High Temperature Range for the Day (Zipato RGBW LED & Indigo 6)
- GE 45603 Z-Wave Technology Wireless Lighting Control Fluorescent Light and Appliance Module
- GE 45631 Z-Wave Wireless Keypad Controller