The state updated helper integration allows you to create a binary sensors which monitor another entity's state or state_attributes and reports when changed. It exposes the new and old value for the monitored entity, which can be used in the text template. The binary sensor will be cleared after the user defined time period has expired.
For installation instructions until the State updated helper is part of HACS, see this guide.
Configuration is setup via UI in Home assistant. To add one, go to Settings > Devices & Services > Helpers and click the add button. Next choose the State updated helper option.
| Field name | Mandatory/Optional | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Optional | Name. If empty, entity id name are used |
| Entity id | Mandatory | Entity that this sensor tracks |
| Attribute | Optional | Attribute of entity that this sensor tracks |
| Icon | Mandatory | Icon used by entity |
| Clear updates after | Mandatory | User defined time period indicating when to clear the entity |
| Text template | Optional | Defines a template to create the text state attribute. Value = new_value, old_value, entity_id, attribute and last_updated |
The state updated helper integration provides the following state attributes.
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| new_value | New state/state_attribute value |
| old_value | Old state/state_attribute value |
| text | Text generated from template |
| last_updated | Last time the state/state_attribute was updated |
Available services: reset and reset_all.
Reset a specific State Updated entity.
| Service data attribute | Optional | Description |
|---|---|---|
| entity_id | No | Name of the State updated entity to take reset. |
Reset all State updated entities.
Using the Scrape integration for retrieving latest software version. By letting the State updated helper monitor the Scrape entity, a card can be built that only shows when there are changes and a content about what has changed.