Add Helper Entity to Device?

Feature Requests
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1

Is it possible to add a helper entity to a device? (Or “attach” one to a device?)

Note that you can already add a template entity to a device, but I want to add a helper, not a template!

I found a few threads, such as the one below, which seemed to indicate that the PR was merged successfully and was supposed to be released in 2024.7.x, but I don’t see any release notes about it.

Edit: Nevermind - that PR was merged, but it was unrelated (it was for template entities only). My request still stands: I want to attach helper entities to devices!

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(Note: Screenshot is a mockup - this button does not actually exist in HA as of today.)

All I want is this - is this possible today, and if not, what do I need to upvote to make it happen? :smiley:

2

You add it from the entity you create. Only some helpers have this option.

3

Oh, interesting - is there a list of supported helper types that are currently supported? I’m looking specifically at helpers.

A use case I’m thinking about is - you have a media player, and you have a number helper for its “Default / Preferred Volume”, and then actions/scripts could reset the media player to its preferred volume.

4

I don’t believe there is a list

5

You could have a look at Device Tools from HACS:

1 Like
6

Hm… while that does look like exactly what I want, this is a bit scary, especially considering that I have quite a large HA installation that my family depends on.

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1 Like
7

I agree. I have used it to group together a bunch of entities that did not have an associated device (works well), but not to add an entity to an existing device. Just thought I’d mention it.

8

Basically the list that implements this today is:

  • Derivative
  • Generic hygrostat
  • Generic thermostat
  • History stats
  • Integral
  • Mold indicator
  • Statistics
  • Template
    • Alarm control panel
    • Binary sensors
    • Button
    • Image
    • Number
    • Select
    • Sensor
    • Switch
  • Threshold
  • Trend
  • Utility meter

If you are looking to bind input_* helper entities to a device, this is not currently supported and cannot be implemented directly. Beforehand, these helpers should be migrated to use config entries, which I believe will depend on a deliberation by the dev team.

2 Likes
9

Thanks @dougiteixeira - when you say:

What do you mean by this exactly? Is it technically impossible in Home Assistant based on the entity/device architecture, or is it just not possible today but could be added in the future?

10

I meant that before implementing this feature, the input_* helpers code needs to be changed to migrate them to config entries. This change is much larger and more complex (so review and approval will take longer), but not impossible.

1 Like
11

Ah, understood. Thanks for the clarification!

12

I have implemented device linking in some integration helpers and what I could feel is that there is no consensus from the core team on allowing the user to manually assign a device to the entity. I believe this is a point of discussion regarding the input_* helpers, since they do not have a direct relationship with any device. Of course, the core team’s opinion may change along with the evolution of Home Assistant’s features.

But I, as a user, would really like this possibility.