Automate with device vs entity

[cbuxton (Craig Buxton)]

I have a very simple automation which turns on a light when motion is detected. In the trigger section, I can either use an entity like this:

entity_id: binary_sensor.upstairs
platform: state
to: “on”

or I can use the device like this:

type: motion
platform: device
device_id: 0f11fa93830c7843b5a1c8ef31822a5f
entity_id: binary_sensor.upstairs
domain: binary_sensor

What is the advantage of doing it one way vs the other way?

[tom_l]

Entity ids will save you a lot of hassle in the long run.

What happens if I have to replace a device

It’s a big problem that you can avoid by not using device triggers, conditions or actions. There are always other triggers conditions and actions you can use instead. e.g. instead of a device turn on trigger use a state trigger. If you only ever use entity_ids in your triggers, conditions and actions then when you have to replace the device you can change the new entity id to match the old one in one place and all your automations keep working. If you use device ids you have to change all of …