Still climbing the HA learning curve, and have done some simple automations.
I have one goal which has to be a common one: create an ‘away’ state for my house, with various lights going on and off so it looks like someone’s home.
An Automation performs a single task, so I’d need a collection of them, each triggered by a time - turn this light on, that light off, etc. I might end up with a dozen - and I’d have to turn all those automations ‘on’ when I leave.
Later, I might add sensors, alarms, notifications etc.
I could write Scripts to turn all these Automations on and off.
But is there a more sophisticated way to create an “Away” state?
“Presence Simulation” looks interesting. But basing it on my history wouldn’t work; I 'd need to specify everything. For example, I’d turn on a fake TV gadget that’s just colored LEDs, and engage some motion sensors. Not things we usually do.
I guess I’m just looking for a better way to tie a bunch of automations together into a unit. And maybe a Script is the way. “Away from home” seems like one of the most common uses for HA so I thought there might be something I’m missing.
Im using something similar to what your are looking for i think.
Ive created an away boolean wich triggers when me and my fiance is away from home. After 1 hour i get an notification if i want to turn on guest mode or turn on away mode. (guest mode if we have baby sitters :p)
When i turn on away mode a boolean triggers and turn off all the lights etc.
Also when we get home it turns them on again.
We both have to be away for the away mode to trigger, and only one needs to be be home for the “home” mode to trigger.