NFC

I just added a new flow to the mix. NFC (Near Field Communication or RFID) tags. Instead of just turning a light on at a given time, wait until it is triggered by reading an NFC tag. I have a specific tag on the wall at the bottom of the stairs so I can scan that to turn on the lights in my office (there is no switch for them on that wall), but if it's before the rest of the house wakes up (before the morning housemode), then only turn on a basic light. I also frequently come down to my office for lack of sleep, so I just have it turn on one light a little dimmer outside of WFH hours

This flow is relatively new, so it has some maturing to do and more built into it. As more tags get added, and different actions are taken based on those tags.

There are several solutions if you search for them. Setting up tags in your phone, creating tags in HA, using HA for the automation, etc. I setup the tags in HA since that is really easy using the companion app, and then the automations in Node-Red. I did this for some really basic reasons.

First, while I can do this on my phone, that is specific to my phone and only my phone, unless I take the time to setup someone elses phone too. What happens if I lose or break my phone? I have to set that up all over again. No thanks.

Second, while some tags might be for a specific user, and aside from the first point, they should be centrally maintained.

Finally, I can make tags that do things for one user, all users, or anyone who scans that tag without having to setup each individual device. If I need to change or replace a tag I don't need the user or their device to do it.