Template entity_id in script while

Configuration
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1

Can you use templating in a while loop for the entity_id?

I have tried this, but that is not a valid method:

dimmer_brighten_light:
  alias: Dimmer - Brighten Light
  sequence:
    - repeat:
        while:
          - condition: state
            entity_id: "{{ entity }}"
            state: "on"
        sequence:
          - service: light.turn_on
            data_template:
              brightness_step: 20
              entity_id: "{{ entity }}"
          - delay:
              milliseconds: 500
  mode: parallel
  max: 10
2

Your condition is always true, you will have an endless loop.

1 Like
3

it doesn’t work because templates are not allowed everywhere. Switch the condition to a template condition and you should be good to go

dimmer_brighten_light:
  alias: Dimmer - Brighten Light
  sequence:
    - repeat:
        while:
          - condition: template
            value_template: "{{ is_state(entity, 'on') and state_attr(entity, 'brightness') < target_brightness | default(255) }}"
        sequence:
          - service: light.turn_on
            data_template:
              brightness_step: 20
              entity_id: "{{ entity }}"
          - delay:
              milliseconds: 500
  mode: parallel
  max: 10

EDIT: Also added another variable target_brightness. If you omit that variable, it defaults to 255 and the automation will turn off when the light is fully illuminated.

4

I don’t understand how this loop will end? The light will be on all the time, so the while condition is always true.

5

yep, you’re right… but maybe that’s what he wants. :man_shrugging: I was just pointing out why the automation wasn’t working.

EDIT: I just fixed that in the template, so now it will stop when it reaches target brightness.

1 Like
6

The automation that starts the script will also end the script on button release

7

It will probably not work, because Home Assistant doesn’t adjust the brightness attribute of the light fast enough. I remember others trying this but the result was always a flaky or non-working dimming.
If the lights are ZigBee there are options like Controller X and if the lights are integrated through DeCONZ, there’s a service for smooth dimming