How to turn on or off Christmas Lights with Alexa?

Configuration Voice Assistant
1

Hey there,

i am using the matter-hub integration to control my lights with alexa. Works so far.
Though i am very new to Home Assistant and stumbling a bit with helpers.

The Problem that i run into many situations is the following: (Simple Example)

I have 2 Bulbs “Bulb 1” and “Bulb 2”, both can be controlled via Matter-hub by saying “Bulb 1 ON” or “Bulb 2 ON”.

Now i want to control both at the same time by saying “Chrtistmas Lights ON”. So i created a helper as a switch or as a group (no difference in behavior) “Christmas Lights” and added both bulbs.

I can control this Helper through Matterhub and Alexa with no problems! BUT:

If i say “Christmas Lights ON” the Helper switches to ON. If i then say “Bulb 1 OFF” → the Helper stays ON. The next “Christmas Lights ON” isnt triggered anymore because the helper is already on and nothing happens.

If i configure the Helper Group to “all entities”, it switches OFF if any single Bulb gets turned off… but this results in the inability to say “Christmas Lights OFF” because the helper is already off…

in iOBroker every Alexa command was triggered (If i said “Device Off” and the device is already off, it still got the command and i could trigger an automation).

2

Do a simple automation that turns off the helper when either bulb 1 or 2 turns off.

3

This is already configurable in the Light Group, so no need for an extra automation. Besides that, its no option because I want to be able to turn the christmas lights on and off at any time. So if the helper is off i wouldnt be able to turn it off… (because there is a possibility that some lights are still on)

Looks as if i need 2 seperate Buttons to trigger ON and OFF :frowning: → So voice control will get awkward.

4

So you are saying you want a group to turn them both on at the same time, but then turn just one off and then able to still turn the lights on or off by asking for Christmas lights?

The only way you are going to do this is to make another helper, a toggle may be and set an automation to do everything you want.

Or just ask for bulb 1 and bulb 2 to turn on, or just bulb 1 on or just bulb 2. etc etc.