Helpers

Overview
15 helper entities are configured via the UI (storage-based). They provide state storage, boolean flags, timers, person tracking, and geographic zones used by automations and dashboards.
Boolean Helpers
Guest Mode
Property
Value
Entity
input_boolean.guest_mode
Icon
mdi:account-group
Default
on
Purpose
Flag indicating guests are present; can be used to adjust automations (e.g., suppress alarms, adjust lighting)
Number Helpers (Irrigation Watering Duration)
Four 
input_number helpers store the duration of the last watering run for each Front Yard irrigation zone. Values are set by irrigation tracking automations.
Entity
Zone
Range
Unit
input_number.front_planters_last_run_duration
Front Planters
0–480
min
input_number.front_yard_shrubs_last_run_duration
Front Yard Shrubs
0–480
min
input_number.front_fence_planters_last_run_duration
Front Fence Planters
0–480
min
input_number.side_yard_garden_bed_last_run_duration
Side Yard Garden Bed
0–480
min
All use 
box mode (manual entry) and 0.1 step.
Date/Time Helpers (Last Watered Timestamps)
Four 
input_datetime helpers store the last watered date and time for each irrigation zone.
Entity
Zone
input_datetime.front_planters_last_watered
Front Planters
input_datetime.front_yard_shrubs_last_watered
Front Yard Shrubs
input_datetime.front_fence_planters_last_watered
Front Fence Planters
input_datetime.side_yard_garden_bed_last_watered
Side Yard Garden Bed
All have both date and time enabled (
has_date: true, has_time: true).
Timer Helpers
Garage Light Timer
Property
Value
Entity
timer.garage_light_timer
Duration
20 minutes
Restore
false
Purpose
Auto-off timer for garage lights; started when motion or door triggers lights
Button Helpers
Bin Button
Property
Value
Entity
input_button.bin_button
Icon
mdi:gesture-tap-button
Purpose
Virtual button — likely triggers a garbage/recycling reminder or related action
Zones
Two named geographic zones in addition to the default Home zone:
Work
Property
Value
Entity
zone.work
Latitude
43.641442
Longitude
-79.377578
Radius
47 m
Icon
mdi:briefcase
Purpose
Presence tracking — Rajeev at downtown Toronto office
Rajeeta Home
Property
Value
Entity
zone.rajeeta_home
Latitude
43.656839
Longitude
-79.383613
Radius
46 m
Icon
mdi:account
Purpose
Tracks when Rajeev is at Rajeeta's home location
Person
Rajeev Iyer
Property
Value
Entity
person.rajeev_iyer
User
9c38d44ad18d49fbb4a18e892d4d8634
Tracked devices
Iceheart (iPhone), Bacta (iPad), Krytos (iPad)
Current state
home
The person entity aggregates location across all three mobile devices. Home/not_home state is determined by GPS proximity to the Home zone.
Notes
The 
input_datetime and 
input_number helpers for watering are write-only from automations — do not manually edit them unless correcting erroneous data.
input_boolean.guest_mode is currently 
on (guests present). Remember to turn it off after guests leave if automations depend on this flag.
Zones use lat/long from when they were created — verify they still accurately represent the locations if addresses change.
Last Updated
2026-06-24