I am looking for a way to launch an exe on a Windows PC from HA, i don’t mind if it requires a companion app to run on the PC,
I am currently moving all of my automation away from Android / Tasker and this is the last piece of the puzzle.
I have tried this, but there is something wrong with the build and it just maxes out my CPU on all of my PCs so i can’t use it. https://github.com/KjetilSv/Win10As
After about 8 hours, i had to learn about MQTT, install the java development kit, install apache maven, learn how to compile java and here we are.
I used this, https://github.com/msiedlarek/winthing which uses MQTT to trigger commands on a Windows PC, so i can use that to run an AutoHotKey script, and automate nearly everything on my HTPC.
if anyone needs any help, give me a shout.
compiling java is nightmare if you’re anything like me
Couldn’t you have just used Python on Windows?
I wouldn’t know where to begin, I have only really been looking into coding for a couple of weeks.
I can do basic things like write autohotkey, batch, and home assistant scripts but at the moment that’s where my knowledge stops.
Thank you, but that looks like way to much for me at the moment, I recognize bits and pieces, but i have no clue what most it means or how to use it.
i think i need a few more months playing about before I try to create anything meaningful on my own.
It’s as simple as creating a .py file, and inputting the correct python code.
It can’t possibly be any harder than compiling and running java stuff. Screw JAVA.
I tested it. It’s nice but I will try to figure out how to create to start it minimized.
I have written a script using autohotkey that will start this hidden and end it when you exit the AHK script, just start the run.exe.
source code is in the zip
there is a settings.ini so you can put your own settings in. (ignore the location setting)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eaZVphcuLu3z6gl8KZyDbnPHs2goRy0D/view?usp=sharing
Thank you!
No problem,
I can’t do the hardcore coding yet like some of the guys here can, but I can do bits and pieces to make things easier.
Edit: HA doesn’t seem pass the JSON correctly for “winthing/system/commands/run”, I get mine to pass through node-red to clean up formatting before sending it to the PC so
HA-> Node-Red -> HA (broker) -> PC
This allows any .exe to run via direct JSON path name ie. [“C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Kodi\\kodi.exe”]
If you want me to share my Node-Red flow just me know.
Edit 2:
I used Autohotkey scripts to closes things, and for more control on the PC side, all AHK scripts can be exported as .exe which is nice.
I have noticed that winthing can be unresponsive after some time, so i have updated my script with new options in the settings.ini
Runmode and Runmode time
Runmode is used for restarting the service in case it fails
Runmodetime - Time in SECONDS before the service is restarted, service takes about 2 seconds to restart, suggested to keep this at about an hour
Runmode 1 - Will close the old service then start a new one
Runmode 2 - Will Start the new service then close the old one (crossover) this shortens the restart time but may result in double execution in rare cases
Runmode 3 - Off, this will not restart the service after any time
everything is included in the zip, all the details for winthing by msiedlarek are in the second post, all i have done is compile it and used an autohotkey script to make it hidden, easier to put in the settings and now keep it alive if it fails.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gF4tjT6nlcatGsUMQKdcocXxKLrmpxCD/view?usp=sharing
How you trigger your flow from HA. Do you use MQTT switch or something else? I am planning to make it like an ACTIVATE button. But currently, I am using it as a switch.
I have an HA script for sending an MQTT command that node red listens for, then node red takes over and sends the actual MQTT command to the device.
I will explain better when I get home from work but it’s basically:
HA MQTT script, topic is a topic just for node red to listen for, payload can be anything you like.
So with the HA script I send, topic-node red, payload “do something 1”.
In node red have a switch attached to the MQTT listening module and if payload matches “do something 1”, send MQTT command, with payload “correctly formatted JSON for command” to topic “winthing topic you set”
Hope that gets you thinking for now, and I’ll post my flows later
I have NodeRED flows working and using them with HA as switch. When I get some time i will create scripts so I can use it with one press on ACTIVATE.
Yes, like this. Currently I am using it as second one on the photo.
ah yes so here’s what I did in scripts.yaml have something like this:
mpcstartsteam:
alias: "Media Start Steam"
sequence:
- service: mqtt.publish
data:
topic: mediapc
payload: "startsteam"
or if you want use the editor, like this:
Then in Node-red:
Set Topic
Set Payload in HA with script
Payload can be anything, it’s coverted by the switch
If payload contains “X” goto swtich "#
"
Set Payload to link to .exe or other command
Double escaped
Sends message to host PC
Ensure “winthing” Server is running!
Topic is winthing/system/commands/open
Full View
Node-Red Flow:
[{“id”:“c5a928a.ecadad8”,“type”:“tab”,“label”:“Winthing Conversion Bridge”,“disabled”:false,“info”:“”},{“id”:“564f71ff.19fdf”,“type”:“mqtt out”,“z”:“c5a928a.ecadad8”,“name”:“Media PC Run Apps”,“topic”:“winthingmediapc/system/commands/open”,“qos”:“”,“retain”:“”,“broker”:“54e19abc.c77134”,“x”:788.0613784790039,“y”:207.54880905151367,“wires”:,“inputLabels”:[“["C:\\Steam.exe"]”]},{“id”:“de6c0612.177988”,“type”:“mqtt in”,“z”:“c5a928a.ecadad8”,“name”:“Media PC”,“topic”:“mediapc”,“qos”:“2”,“broker”:“54e19abc.c77134”,“x”:65,“y”:252.71788024902344,“wires”:[[“6d58845f.3cce2c”,“c2036a96.0f28d8”]],“outputLabels”:[“msg.payload”]},{“id”:“6d58845f.3cce2c”,“type”:“switch”,“z”:“c5a928a.ecadad8”,“name”:“”,“property”:“payload”,“propertyType”:“msg”,“rules”:[{“t”:“eq”,“v”:“startkodi”,“vt”:“str”},{“t”:“eq”,“v”:“stopkodi”,“vt”:“str”},{“t”:“eq”,“v”:“restart”,“vt”:“str”},{“t”:“eq”,“v”:“startteamviewer”,“vt”:“str”},{“t”:“eq”,“v”:“killteamviewer”,“vt”:“str”},{“t”:“eq”,“v”:“killsteam”,“vt”:“str”},{“t”:“eq”,“v”:“startsteam”,“vt”:“str”},{“t”:“eq”,“v”:“killorigin”,“vt”:“str”},{“t”:“eq”,“v”:“pcmr”,“vt”:“str”},{“t”:“eq”,“v”:“sleep”,“vt”:“str”}],“checkall”:“true”,“repair”:false,“outputs”:10,“x”:218.06148529052734,“y”:252.54875946044922,“wires”:[[“85d6d93.fad7b28”],[“d7480417.3a9e48”],[“f0485437.6186f8”],[“f4788483.1c8f88”],[“dcf7ad0e.9dc8d”],[“bcf6e24.8a4562”],[“dd542796.b6aca8”],[“3114cc74.983b24”],[“5d450d7a.b62474”],[“2394e232.fcd8ae”]]},{“id”:“85d6d93.fad7b28”,“type”:“change”,“z”:“c5a928a.ecadad8”,“name”:“Start Kodi”,“rules”:[{“t”:“set”,“p”:“payload”,“pt”:“msg”,“to”:“["C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Kodi\\kodi.exe"]”,“tot”:“str”}],“action”:“”,“property”:“”,“from”:“”,“to”:“”,“reg”:false,“x”:404.52369689941406,“y”:75.47617769241333,“wires”:[[“564f71ff.19fdf”,“c2036a96.0f28d8”]]},{“id”:“cedbc81a.63e8d8”,“type”:“comment”,“z”:“c5a928a.ecadad8”,“name”:“Topic”,“info”:“Set Topic\n\nSet Payload in HA with script\n\nPayload can be anything, it’s coverted by the switch”,“x”:83.85954666137695,“y”:24.377704620361328,“wires”:},{“id”:“a66d011a.18152”,“type”:“comment”,“z”:“c5a928a.ecadad8”,“name”:“Switch”,“info”:“If payload contains "X" goto swtich "X"”,“x”:218.4619026184082,“y”:25.960501670837402,“wires”:},{“id”:“12e57b6c.be4d25”,“type”:“comment”,“z”:“c5a928a.ecadad8”,“name”:“Msg Payload”,“info”:“Set Payload to link to .exe or other command\n\nDouble escaped ie "C:\\test\\test.exe"”,“x”:404.1761131286621,“y”:24.5319242477417,“wires”:},{“id”:“d9d2b732.293338”,“type”:“comment”,“z”:“c5a928a.ecadad8”,“name”:“Send To Host”,“info”:“Sends message to host PC \n\nEnsure "winthing" Server is running!\n\nTopic is winthing/system/commands/open”,“x”:746.5570831298828,“y”:24.293835639953613,“wires”:},{“id”:“d7480417.3a9e48”,“type”:“change”,“z”:“c5a928a.ecadad8”,“name”:“Close Kodi”,“rules”:[{“t”:“set”,“p”:“payload”,“pt”:“msg”,“to”:“["C:\\Users\\Media\\Desktop\\Start-up\\Control\\closekodi.exe"]”,“tot”:“str”}],“action”:“”,“property”:“”,“from”:“”,“to”:“”,“reg”:false,“x”:410.0236587524414,“y”:120.00947761535645,“wires”:[[“564f71ff.19fdf”]]},{“id”:“3abbcb12.6713b4”,“type”:“mqtt out”,“z”:“c5a928a.ecadad8”,“name”:“Restart”,“topic”:“winthingmediapc/system/commands/reboot”,“qos”:“”,“retain”:“”,“broker”:“54e19abc.c77134”,“x”:751.6903076171875,“y”:101.67611885070801,“wires”:,“inputLabels”:[“["C:\\Steam.exe"]”]},{“id”:“f0485437.6186f8”,“type”:“change”,“z”:“c5a928a.ecadad8”,“name”:“Restart”,“rules”:[{“t”:“set”,“p”:“payload”,“pt”:“msg”,“to”:“”,“tot”:“str”}],“action”:“”,“property”:“”,“from”:“”,“to”:“”,“reg”:false,“x”:408.35691833496094,“y”:166.67610359191895,“wires”:[[“3abbcb12.6713b4”]]},{“id”:“f4788483.1c8f88”,“type”:“change”,“z”:“c5a928a.ecadad8”,“name”:“Start TeamViewer”,“rules”:[{“t”:“set”,“p”:“payload”,“pt”:“msg”,“to”:“["C:\\Users\\Media\\Desktop\\Start-up\\Control\\startteam.exe"]”,“tot”:“str”}],“action”:“”,“property”:“”,“from”:“”,“to”:“”,“reg”:false,“x”:435.0236396789551,“y”:210.0094699859619,“wires”:[[“564f71ff.19fdf”]]},{“id”:“dcf7ad0e.9dc8d”,“type”:“change”,“z”:“c5a928a.ecadad8”,“name”:“Stop TeamViewer”,“rules”:[{“t”:“set”,“p”:“payload”,“pt”:“msg”,“to”:“["C:\\Users\\Media\\Desktop\\Start-up\\Control\\stopteam.exe"]”,“tot”:“str”}],“action”:“”,“property”:“”,“from”:“”,“to”:“”,“reg”:false,“x”:433.35699462890625,“y”:255.00946044921875,“wires”:[[“564f71ff.19fdf”]]},{“id”:“bcf6e24.8a4562”,“type”:“change”,“z”:“c5a928a.ecadad8”,“name”:“Stop Steam”,“rules”:[{“t”:“set”,“p”:“payload”,“pt”:“msg”,“to”:“["C:\\Users\\Media\\Desktop\\Start-up\\Control\\stopsteam.exe"]”,“tot”:“str”}],“action”:“”,“property”:“”,“from”:“”,“to”:“”,“reg”:false,“x”:418.35699462890625,“y”:298.3428039550781,“wires”:[[“564f71ff.19fdf”]]},{“id”:“dd542796.b6aca8”,“type”:“change”,“z”:“c5a928a.ecadad8”,“name”:“Start Steam”,“rules”:[{“t”:“set”,“p”:“payload”,“pt”:“msg”,“to”:“["C:\\Users\\Media\\Desktop\\Start-up\\Control\\startsteam.exe"]”,“tot”:“str”}],“action”:“”,“property”:“”,“from”:“”,“to”:“”,“reg”:false,“x”:420.0236511230469,“y”:340.00944995880127,“wires”:[[“564f71ff.19fdf”]]},{“id”:“3114cc74.983b24”,“type”:“change”,“z”:“c5a928a.ecadad8”,“name”:“Stop Origin”,“rules”:[{“t”:“set”,“p”:“payload”,“pt”:“msg”,“to”:“["C:\\Users\\Media\\Desktop\\Start-up\\Control\\stoporigin.exe"]”,“tot”:“str”}],“action”:“”,“property”:“”,“from”:“”,“to”:“”,“reg”:false,“x”:420.0236511230469,“y”:381.67611598968506,“wires”:[[“564f71ff.19fdf”]]},{“id”:“5d450d7a.b62474”,“type”:“change”,“z”:“c5a928a.ecadad8”,“name”:“Start Game Mode PCMR”,“rules”:[{“t”:“set”,“p”:“payload”,“pt”:“msg”,“to”:“["C:\\Users\\Media\\Desktop\\Start-up\\Control\\gamemode.exe"]”,“tot”:“str”}],“action”:“”,“property”:“”,“from”:“”,“to”:“”,“reg”:false,“x”:458.35698318481445,“y”:416.67613530158997,“wires”:[[“564f71ff.19fdf”]]},{“id”:“8ccbc82f.3875c8”,“type”:“mqtt out”,“z”:“c5a928a.ecadad8”,“name”:“Hibernate”,“topic”:“winthingmediapc/system/commands/hibernate”,“qos”:“”,“retain”:“”,“broker”:“54e19abc.c77134”,“x”:760.0236015319824,“y”:151.6761302947998,“wires”:,“inputLabels”:[“["C:\\Steam.exe"]”]},{“id”:“2394e232.fcd8ae”,“type”:“change”,“z”:“c5a928a.ecadad8”,“name”:“sleep”,“rules”:[{“t”:“set”,“p”:“payload”,“pt”:“msg”,“to”:“”,“tot”:“str”}],“action”:“”,“property”:“”,“from”:“”,“to”:“”,“reg”:false,“x”:401.69033432006836,“y”:455.0094575881958,“wires”:[[“8ccbc82f.3875c8”]]},{“id”:“c2036a96.0f28d8”,“type”:“debug”,“z”:“c5a928a.ecadad8”,“name”:“”,“active”:true,“tosidebar”:true,“console”:true,“tostatus”:true,“complete”:“payload”,“x”:240.5972023010254,“y”:505.8197202682495,“wires”:},{“id”:“54e19abc.c77134”,“type”:“mqtt-broker”,“z”:“”,“name”:“HA IO”,“broker”:“192.168.1.69”,“port”:“1883”,“clientid”:“”,“usetls”:false,“compatmode”:false,“keepalive”:“60”,“cleansession”:true,“birthTopic”:“”,“birthQos”:“0”,“birthPayload”:“”,“closeTopic”:“”,“closeQos”:“0”,“closePayload”:“”,“willTopic”:“”,“willQos”:“0”,“willPayload”:“”}]
Thank you for everything!
For what it’s worth, you mention that HA doesn’t send the JSON correctly, try using:
"payload_template": "['lwin']"
This will remove the “{…}” wrapping the payload.
