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Create Routines

A routine (also called an automation) automatically triggers actions based on time, events, or sensor inputs. Unlike scenes (which you activate manually), routines run automatically when their trigger conditions are met.

What Are Routines?

Routines bring your installation to a specific state automatically. For example, a routine can close all screens at sunset, turn on lights at 8:00 AM, or retract an awning when wind exceeds 30 km/h.

Why Use Routines?​

Routines are useful for:

  • Scheduled Actions: Run actions at specific times (e.g., close screens at 10:00 PM)
  • Solar-Based Actions: Trigger actions at sunrise or sunset
  • Event-Based Actions: Respond to sensor thresholds (e.g., retract awning when windy)
  • Button Actions: Map physical buttons to trigger actions
  • Convenience: Automate repetitive tasks
  • Safety: Automatically protect products from weather

How Routines Work​

Routines Have Triggers​

A trigger determines when the routine runs:

  • Time: Specific time of day (e.g., 7:30 AM)
  • Sunrise/Sunset: Relative to solar events (e.g., 30 minutes before sunset)
  • Sensor Threshold: When a sensor value crosses a threshold (e.g., wind > 25 km/h)
  • Button Press: When a physical button is pressed
  • Weather Condition: When a weather condition is met (e.g., rain detected, thunderstorm)

Routines Perform Actions​

When triggered, the routine:

  1. Sets selected products to defined states (like activating a scene)
  2. Can invoke existing scenes
  3. Can control individual models

Routines Save Current State​

Like scenes, routines save the current state of selected products when created. When editing a routine, the system first invokes the routine to restore the previous state, then allows you to adjust only the models that need changes.

Creating a Routine: Step-by-Step​

Steps:​

  1. Navigate to Routines

    • Go to Routines in the main menu or navigation bar

  2. Start Creating a New Routine

    • Tap New Routine, Add Routine, or + Create

  3. Name the Routine

    • Enter a descriptive name (e.g., "Close at Sunset", "Morning Wake-Up", "Wind Protection")

  4. Choose a Trigger

    • Select the trigger type:

      Time-Based Triggers:

      • Specific Time: Set exact time (e.g., 8:00 AM, 10:30 PM)
      • Sunrise: Trigger at sunrise or with offset (e.g., 15 minutes after sunrise)
      • Sunset: Trigger at sunset or with offset (e.g., 30 minutes before sunset)

      Event-Based Triggers:

      • Sensor Threshold: Trigger when a sensor value crosses a threshold
        • Example: Wind Speed > 30 km/h, Temperature < 10°C, Rain = On
      • Button Press: Trigger when a physical button is pressed
        • Select the button from available buttons in the installation
      • Weather Condition: Trigger on weather events (e.g., Thunderstorm, Clear Sky)
    tip

    The app will only show buttons and sensors that are available for use as triggers. Buttons or sensors already used for other functionality may not appear.

  5. Select Products/Models

    • Choose which products and models to control when the routine is triggered
    • Select individual models or entire products

  6. Set Desired States

    • Use the normal product controls to set each selected product to its desired state
    • Examples:
      • Close all screens (100%)
      • Turn lights on at 50%
      • Retract awning (0%)
      • Set pergola louvres to 45°
    tip

    The routine will save the current state of the selected products, so set everything exactly as you want it before saving.

  7. Review and Save

    • Review the trigger and actions
    • Tap Save or Create Routine

  8. Test the Routine (optional)

    • Some apps allow you to manually trigger the routine to test it
    • Or wait for the trigger condition to occur naturally

Managing Routines​

Viewing Routines​

  1. Navigate to Routines

    • Go to Routines in the main menu

  2. View Routine List

    • All created routines are listed
    • See trigger type and status (active/inactive)

  3. View Routine Details

    • Tap on a routine to view details
    • See trigger configuration and actions

Editing a Routine​

When you edit a routine, the system first invokes the routine to bring the installation into the saved state. This ensures you're editing from the correct starting point.

  1. Navigate to Routines

    • Go to Routines

  2. Select a Routine

    • Tap on the routine you want to edit

  3. Tap Edit

    • Tap Edit or the edit icon

  4. Routine is Invoked

    • The app invokes the routine first
    • All products are set to their saved states
    • This ensures you're editing from the correct starting point

  5. Make Changes

    • Adjust trigger settings
    • Adjust product states
    • Add or remove products
    • Rename the routine
    tip

    You only need to adjust the models that require changes. The routine will update to capture the new states.

  6. Save Changes

    • Tap Save

Deleting a Routine​

  1. Navigate to Routines

    • Go to Routines

  2. Select a Routine

    • Tap on the routine you want to delete

  3. Delete

    • Tap Delete or the trash icon
    • Confirm the deletion

  4. Result

    • The routine is removed and will no longer run

Enabling/Disabling a Routine​

You can temporarily disable a routine without deleting it:

  1. Navigate to Routines

    • Go to Routines

  2. Toggle the Routine

    • Use the toggle switch next to the routine
    • On: Routine is active and will run on trigger
    • Off: Routine is disabled and won't run

Routine Examples​

Example 1: Close Everything at Sunset​

Trigger: Sunset

Products:

  • All ZIP screens
  • All awnings
  • Pergola louvres

Actions:

  • Close all screens (100%)
  • Retract all awnings (0%)
  • Close pergola louvres

Use Case: Automatically secure all outdoor products at sunset.

Example 2: Morning Wake-Up​

Trigger: 7:00 AM

Products:

  • Bedroom screens
  • Kitchen lights
  • Living room lights

Actions:

  • Open bedroom screens (0%)
  • Turn on kitchen lights at 80%
  • Turn on living room lights at 60%

Use Case: Prepare the house for the day automatically.

Example 3: Wind Protection​

Trigger: Wind Speed > 30 km/h

Products:

  • Awning
  • Pergola screens
  • Pergola louvres

Actions:

  • Retract awning (0%)
  • Close screens (100%)
  • Set louvres to safe position (45°)

Use Case: Protect outdoor products from high wind automatically.

Example 4: Rain Protection​

Trigger: Rain = On

Products:

  • All awnings
  • All screens

Actions:

  • Retract all awnings (0%)
  • Close all screens (100%)

Use Case: Automatically close outdoor products when rain is detected.

Example 5: Good Night Button​

Trigger: Button 2 on Remote Control pressed

Products:

  • All lights
  • All screens

Actions:

  • Turn off all lights
  • Close all screens (100%)

Use Case: One button press to secure the house for the night.

Example 6: Thunderstorm Safety​

Trigger: Weather = Thunderstorm

Products:

  • All outdoor products (awnings, screens, pergola)

Actions:

  • Retract all awnings
  • Close all screens
  • Close pergola louvres

Use Case: Automatically protect all outdoor products during severe weather.

Trigger Types in Detail​

Time-Based Triggers​

Specific Time:

  • Set exact time (e.g., 7:30 AM, 10:00 PM)
  • Runs daily at the specified time
  • Example: "Turn on lights at 7:00 AM"

Sunrise:

  • Triggers at sunrise
  • Can add offset (e.g., 15 minutes after sunrise)
  • Automatically adjusts to seasonal changes
  • Example: "Open screens at sunrise"

Sunset:

  • Triggers at sunset
  • Can add offset (e.g., 30 minutes before sunset)
  • Automatically adjusts to seasonal changes
  • Example: "Close screens 30 minutes after sunset"

Event-Based Triggers​

Sensor Threshold:

  • Triggers when a sensor value crosses a threshold
  • Examples:
    • Wind Speed > 25 km/h
    • Temperature < 10°C
    • Rain = On

Button Press:

  • Triggers when a physical button is pressed
  • Only available buttons are shown (buttons already in use may not appear)
  • Example: "Button 3 activates outdoor scene"

Weather Condition:

  • Triggers on specific weather conditions
  • Examples:
    • Clear Sky: Open awnings
    • Thunderstorm: Close everything
    • Snow: Close outdoor products

Expected Result​

After creating routines:

  • Routines appear in your Routines list
  • Routines run automatically when trigger conditions are met
  • You receive notifications when routines run (if notifications are enabled)
  • You can view routine history in the activity log (if available)

Troubleshooting​

Routine Doesn't Trigger​

  • Check routine status: Ensure the routine is enabled (toggle is on)
  • Check trigger condition: Verify the trigger condition was actually met
  • Check products: Ensure all products in the routine are online
  • Check gateway: Ensure the gateway is connected
  • Check sensors: For sensor-triggered routines, ensure sensors are working

Routine Triggers but Actions Fail​

  • Check product status: Ensure all products are online
  • Check prerequisites: Ensure all products have completed prerequisites
  • Check network: Verify gateway and devices are connected
  • Review actions: Verify the routine actions are configured correctly

Time-Based Routine Runs at Wrong Time​

  • Check installation timezone: Verify the installation location is set correctly
  • Check device time: Ensure your device time is correct
  • Check sunrise/sunset calculation: Sunrise/sunset times are calculated based on installation location

Sensor-Triggered Routine Runs Too Often​

  • Adjust threshold: Fine-tune the sensor threshold to reduce false triggers
  • Add hysteresis: If supported, add a buffer to prevent repeated triggering
  • Check sensor placement: Ensure the sensor is positioned correctly

Button-Triggered Routine Not Working​

  • Check button status: Verify the button is working (check in Product Settings)
  • Check button availability: Ensure the button isn't already used for other functionality
  • Check link configuration: If the button is linked, it may conflict with the routine

Can't Select Button or Sensor as Trigger​

  • Check availability: Buttons/sensors already in use may not be available
  • Check product status: Ensure products with buttons/sensors are online
  • Add more sensors/buttons: Some installations may not have available input models

Routines vs. Scenes​

FeatureRoutines (Automations)Scenes (Shortcuts)
TriggerAutomatic (time, event, sensor)Manual (user activates)
Use CaseScheduled or event-based automationQuick manual control
ActivationSystem activates based on triggerUser taps to activate
Example"Close screens at sunset" routine"Movie Night" scene
tip

Use routines for automatic, scheduled, or event-driven actions. Use scenes for manual, on-demand control.

Best Practices​

  1. Name routines clearly: Use descriptive names that indicate the trigger and action (e.g., "Close at Sunset", "Wind Protection")
  2. Test routines: Manually trigger routines to ensure they work as expected
  3. Use offsets wisely: For sunrise/sunset triggers, consider adding offsets (e.g., close screens 15 minutes after sunset)
  4. Monitor routine activity: Check activity logs to ensure routines are running correctly
  5. Disable unused routines: Turn off routines you're not using to avoid unexpected behavior
  6. Consider overlapping routines: Ensure multiple routines don't conflict with each other
  7. Use weather triggers carefully: Weather data updates at intervals, so there may be a delay

Next Steps​

After creating routines:

  1. Create Scenes – Create scenes to use with routines
  2. Notifications – Set up notifications for routine activity
  3. Control Products – Continue controlling products manually
  4. Weather Data – Use weather data in routines