Scenes

Create and manage scenes to control multiple devices with a single action.

What are Scenes?

Scenes are predefined configurations that set multiple devices to specific states simultaneously. Think of them as snapshots of your home's state that you can instantly activate.

Types of Scenes

Homix supports different types of scenes for various use cases:

Creating Your First Scene

Follow these steps to create a new scene:

1. Navigate to the "Scenes" section in the Homix dashboard
2. Click "Create New Scene"
3. Give your scene a descriptive name (e.g., "Living Room Movie Night")
4. Add devices by clicking "Add Device"
5. Configure the desired state for each device
6. Test the scene to ensure it works as expected
7. Save and activate when needed

Scene Configuration

Device States

Each device in a scene can be configured with specific states:

Advanced Scene Options

Customize scene behavior with advanced options:

Scene Examples

Good Morning Scene

Start your day with a comprehensive morning routine:

Movie Night Scene

Create the perfect ambiance for movie watching:

Away Mode Scene

Secure and optimize your home when leaving:

Bedtime Scene

Wind down for the night with a relaxing routine:

Scene Activation

Manual Activation

Activate scenes manually through various methods:

• Dashboard: Click the scene button in the web interface
• Mobile App: Tap scene buttons on your mobile device
• Voice Commands: "Hey Google, activate Movie Night scene"
• Physical Buttons: Assign scenes to smart switches or remotes
• Shortcuts: Use device-specific shortcuts and widgets

Automated Activation

Integrate scenes into automations for smart activation:

Scene Management

Organization

Keep your scenes organized for easy management:

• Categories: Group scenes by room, activity, or time of day
• Favorites: Mark frequently used scenes as favorites
• Tags: Use tags for flexible organization and filtering
• Folders: Create hierarchical folder structures
• Search: Use search functionality to quickly find scenes

Scene Scheduling

Schedule scenes to activate automatically:

Scene Testing and Validation

Testing Strategies

Test your scenes thoroughly before relying on them:

1. Device Check: Verify all devices are online and responsive
2. State Validation: Confirm each device reaches the expected state
3. Timing Tests: Check execution timing and delays
4. Condition Testing: Test scenes under different conditions
5. Fallback Testing: Test behavior when devices are unavailable

Scene Monitoring

Monitor scene performance and reliability:

Troubleshooting Scenes

Common Issues

Advanced Scene Features

Scene Variables

Use variables to make scenes more dynamic:

Scene Inheritance

Create scene templates and inherit from them:

• Base Scenes: Define common device configurations
• Scene Extensions: Modify base scenes for specific situations
• Room Templates: Create reusable room configurations
• Seasonal Variations: Modify scenes based on seasons

Best Practices

Design Guidelines

• Keep It Simple: Start with basic scenes and add complexity gradually
• Use Descriptive Names: Make scene names clear and meaningful
• Test Regularly: Verify scenes work as expected after device changes
• Plan for Failures: Design fallback behaviors for unreliable devices
• Consider Context: Design scenes that work in different situations

Performance Tips

• Group devices by communication protocol for faster execution
• Use appropriate delays to avoid overwhelming devices
• Limit the number of devices in a single scene for reliability
• Cache device states to reduce unnecessary commands
• Use conditional execution to skip unnecessary actions

Related Documentation

• Device Management - Managing devices used in scenes
• Automations - Using scenes in automations
• NATS Messaging - Understanding scene communication
• Troubleshooting - Debugging scene issues