How to add 'unique_id' to templates

Configuration
1

Hello,

I’m trying to setup a series of simple entities that reflect the direction/vector across any two motion sensors, and from there build some clever automations that watch those entities.

I have a template with two test sensors working, but I can’t seem to get the “unique_id” property to reflect in HA’s interface.

The below just gives me an entity named “sensor.test_a”:

- unique_id: asdf
- sensor:
    name: a_to_b
    state: > 
      {{ is_state("binary_sensor.roomA_sensor_motion", "on") and
         is_state("binary_sensor.roomB_sensor_motion", "on") }}

I’ve also tried this (to no avail):

- sensor:
    unique_id: asdf
    name: a_to_b
    state: > 
      {{ is_state("binary_sensor.roomA_sensor_motion", "on") and
         is_state("binary_sensor.roomB_sensor_motion", "on") }}

Any help would be appreciated.

1 Like
2

nm, somehow I got it working. For future reference:

  • i removed the ‘name’ field and just left ‘unique_id’ in place that half-worked
  • then i replaced the name field (above unique_id this time, not sure it matters), and now it shows up correctly

Could be that the entity had to be created first, and then renamed in the template?

3

You can create an unique_id immediately:

    - name: "House electricity energy"
      unique_id: '0a7476cc-d6c1-40ba-8ae1-606518c3497f'
      unit_of_measurement: 'kWh'
      state: >
        {{ ((states("sensor.mains_consumed_energy") | float(0)) + (states("sensor.upstairs_consumed_energy") | float(0)) + (states("sensor.extra_consumed_energy") | float(0)) )| round(2) }}       
      availability: >
        {{ not 'unavailable' in 
        [ states('sensor.mains_consumed_energy'), 
          states('sensor.upstairs_consumed_energy'),
          states('sensor.extra_consumed_energy') ] }}        
      device_class: energy
      state_class: total_increasing
5 Likes
6

I know this is an old topic but how does this create a unique id immediately? Can I just create a unique_id option and leave it blank for HA to update/generate a unique id? Or do I just type in a bunch a characters?
I’m having a few trigger template sensors provided via yaml and would like to manage them inside HA.

7

I just generate them using an online unique id generator

2 Likes