open and closed icons for devices

[tawny owl]

How do I find or where do I find the matching set of open/close icons for a device, so to explain when the device is activated say for instance the garage door is opening, when it's opening and all the way open the device on the dashboard show the open garage icon, then when it is closed it shows the closed garage icon, how to I ensure that this happens for each specific device in my home assistant dashboards including subviews etc?

[blazing wind]

The icons used are Material Design Icons. You can use the search to help with finding useful icons. https://pictogrammers.com/library/mdi/

ensure that this happens for each specific device
Ensuring the device is set properly will use the default icons where appropriate.

[tawny owl]

So I am a true novice at using home assistant and tweaking the little things like this is where I struggle the most my ocd is in full overdrive when I see those little icons not reflecting the correct state image. Could you please break it down a bit more if possible I go into the setting of the specific device and ensure that the icon is correct or at least I felt like it is, now when the status changes from say closed to open this is where the specific icon does not match the actual state it will continue to show a closed garage icon instead of the open garage, thats what is frustrating me the most during this process.

[blazing wind]

Can you post the code for the card you're using? The stock cards should handle the icons appropriately. ```yaml
type: button
entity: cover.garage_door
show_name: true
show_icon: true
tap_action:
action: toggle

[tawny owl]

I copy some code from another HA user that created his own icon template for this very thing I've used it but at the expense that I can no longer utilize the UI to edit anything only via YAML, now I have the yolink finger next to the actual hardwired garage door opener button the i can automate the opening and closing through automation, (it only works about 75% of the time) and also a yolink garage door sensor that knows when the door is open or closed based on it position (vertical or horizontal). I've tried the new area dashboard to auto-populate everything but the icons are still not working the way I would expect for an open/close state entity.

Here is a better look at the code sorry I am still new at all of this

[blazing wind]

Posting actual text of code is way more useful than posting pictures.
I see what you have going on now. Based on the code you tried using, you're mixing two different things: dashboard design and a templated entity. The icon_template is not something supported by the Entities card. It is intended for use in a platform: template.
While you potentially can handle everything that you're trying to do within a card, creating a templated Cover entity is going to be way simpler and provide a better overall experience.
Here's the documentation that is relevant to what you're trying to set up: Template Cover and Template
I'm assuming you found the code snippet in this forum thread: Template for garage door. That's exactly what you need to do. Look at petro's response in Post 11. Just adapt it for your entities and whatnot. The thing is: that goes into your configuration.yaml and not within a dashboard.
From #1327400562622468146 message

You can specify device_class: garage to get the appropriate icons

[tawny owl]

Thank you for the breakdown that is what I struggle with the most to be honest is know for finding out where the specific code needs to be in order for it to work the way I want or expect it too. I really wish there was a virtual learning module that was created by someone that delved into the weeds of how to make all of these type of things work, I know that if there were someone that has done or would be willing to do that with video tutorials I would contribute financially to that channel/person, if you happen to know anyone that has done something like that I'd appreciate you sharing their info, if not no worries. I will attempt to follow the advice that you have shared with me based on the issue I am experiencing and hopefully resolve my issue! Thank again!

This is what I added to my configuration.yaml file but I feel like I screwed it up as I am such a novice at this, I majorly lack the knowledge base to be able to get things in the appropriate place or configured in the right way to make it work. I am sorry for wasting your time I just need to go find some educational stuff to help myself learn the necessary skills to avoid being lost literally!

[blazing wind]

I'm at work at the moment so this will be short. A couple of things that I notice:
line 32 should be binary_sensor
What is the entity for the yolink_finger? I'm assuming it is like a SwitchBot. You're using the switch.turn_on service but defined a cover entity.

[blazing wind]

Also, line 32 needs to be `{{ states('binary_sensor.garage_door_sensor_door') }} or something along those lines. Ensure your entity names are correct.
Also, I'm not sure you will be able to perform a stop_cover with your device.

[tawny owl]

Here are the entity ids for each the door sensor and the actual door opener (yolink finger)

[tawny owl]

Again this is all confusing to me on how this is going to help me with my issue, changing this in my config file and what should I be doing on the dashboard to ensure that is appears as I would like and function as it is supposed to based on the geolocation automation that I have set up

Here is where i have the garage door info setup at the previous setup when I used the areas auto configured dashboard had the smaller card like the lighting cards, then what I sent you is what I have configured that I screenshot you last night with unable to use the ui editor and only yaml, I hope I explained that well enough, so now that I have changed what you suggested how is that supposed to impact/change the Garage door opener card along with the Garage Door Sensor card?

[blazing wind]

Again this is all confusing to me on how this is going to help me with my issue,
You are right when you ask this question. I did a little bit of research and figured out the device you have and looked at the integration. Basically, everything we've talked about has, for a lack of better terms, been worthless. I see the device you have is similar to the SwitchBot (the button pusher) but your kit includes the sensor. The integration does everything that I've been trying to help you set up (the templated entity) and it provides the cover entity. When I saw your bit of code for the icon_template, I assumed you needed to make the cover entity which is what most people would need to do with a SwitchBot and separate sensor.

So, now to try to figure out what the issue really is. I don't see any reported issues with the integration that would affect the garage door opener.
My suspicion is that the binary_sensor.garage_door_sensor_door is not reporting its status which would subsequently not let the cover entity "know" the position of the garage door. Try looking in Dev Tools and see if the state changes when the door is opened vs closed.

[blazing wind]

what should I be doing on the dashboard to ensure that is appears as I would like and function as it is supposed to based on the geolocation automation that I have set up
Dashboard design and automations are two different things (but they can potentially be used together.) Given the device that you have, you would need to ensure the the sensor and/or cover entities are actually reporting the correct state. When it comes time to set up the automation, you'll probably want to handle a condition that a. opens the door if it is closed when entering the zone and b. closes the door if it is open when exiting the zone.

[tawny owl]

Here is what it currently shows as its state "off"

[blazing wind]

I wonder if having the sensor set to Door instead of Garage Door is problematic? Also, the icon is defined. Perhaps "undefining" the icon will let the Show As work better. (I think you'll have to highlight the icon and press Delete/Backspace in order to set it in the entity's settings.)

[tawny owl]

ive just given up this inability to figure out how to make this work the way my mind says it should and the fact that I have gone this far to try to get it working correctly is becoming more and more frustrating to the point I'm just done, unfortunately there is no for sure easy way for someone that is a novice(baby) in the use of HA to be able to help me. I sure wish there was someone that had a channel that broke everything down each section of how to use HA from the beginning through middle to advance users. Like i see all of these people referencing python and all the code to install certain things and I have no clue where I am supposed to go in a terminal or within HA or where, it's all just very confusing. Thank you for all your help and I'm sorry that Ive wasted your time on someone who has no clue how to comply with what you are suggesting at all. Best of luck to you with your endeavors!

[blazing wind]

The thing about Home Assistant is it has a very steep learning curve. It's not easy to jump right in and make it all work the way you want (sometimes). That's not necessarily a bad thing, though. HA is very powerful compared to options like Alexa, for example. I started home automation with Alexa and quickly ran into limitations. That was five years ago.

I sure wish there was someone that had a channel that broke everything down each section of how to use HA from the beginning through middle to advance users.
There is so much that HA is capable of doing, but not everything applies to everyone's situation. I live in a small apartment with smart lights, motion detectors, door/window sensors, smart plugs, and tablet dashboards. I make HA do what I want it to do. I don't have a garage door, washer/dryer, HVAC, solar panels, greenhouse, etc. to automate. People who have those items would make their system work for them. That means learning the topics that are relevant to an individual's usage.
There's just too much for a single channel or guide to be able to cover. There's also the fact that HA is constantly improving. Five years ago, the automation user interface did not exist; everything was configured in YAML. I was not comfortable working with YAML so I decided to start automating with Node-RED which everything ran through it. Even then, I ran into limitations or wanted the nodes to be able to do different stuff. Ultimately, it was easier to start learning JavaScript and making my own functions. Again, learning what I needed to learn. I have since moved my automations away from NR into HA. Even that has been a learning process. I've also started learning Jinja (a Python-variant) which comes in handy with automations and dashboard design.

I'm sorry that Ive wasted your time on someone who has no clue how to comply with what you are suggesting at all.
You haven't wasted my time. I'm not sure what the issues are and you are not to blame. I don't know if there is an issue with the integration or just the way something is set up. It is hard to troubleshoot without have the specific hardware sometimes. To me, it sounds like your hardware is working as it should. (The garage door opens/closes when you tell it to and HA reports its status.) I think the two devices (button pusher & sensor) are adding a layer of difficuly. If I were in your shoes, I would make a button on the dashboard do exactly what I want. The two best options are the custom:button-card and the Mushroom-Template-Card that comes with Mushroom card . Now, with that being said, each one has the own learning curves... They each have their own syntax. custom:button-card has a lot of built in styling but can use JavaScript. The Mushroom Template Card is very customizable but relies on Jinja.

But, you can pretty much make them do whatever you want. In this screenshot is a Mushroom Template Card, a stock Button card, and a custom:button-card.

[tawny owl]

I appreciate the feedback on your specific situation, Im just super frustrated as when I think I've figured out how to use/configure something to make it "work" in my HA, something changes or there is an update and the UI no longer works or whatever, for instance I use samsung smartthings in my home but because of the way that it integrates into HA I everytime I restart HA I have to go back to Smartthings and generate a new api key to put in the integration, its so frustrating supposedly there is a way to avoid having to do that by creating something else I don't remember the name of it to make it permanent type of thing but that's just it there is nothing that I have found that is dumbed down to my level to be able to follow to create/build that specific workaround

I feel like maybe I am trying to mix too many different fruits into one basket, so as I find one option that I like and looks appealing to me like the new AREAS dashboard, I took control over the dashboard and realize that I've taken away from HA to automatically place new entities within those specified areas as they are added to my HA configuration, but it was in an attempt to make it more streamlined as in combining some of the areas into the same sections to avoid big gaps in space on the desktop dashboard, the button that I have (Yolink Finger which presses the exiting builtin garage door opener on the wall) works in conjunction with the Yolink Garage Door Sensor (knows when it is in a open posture or closed posture based on it relative position in space. So horizontal it knows the sensor is responding as OPEN in the vertical its responding as CLOSED. I have a geo location automation setup for when my phone enters the "HOME" zone and if the door sensor reports its closed then HA runs a script that makes the Yolink finger operate to press the builtin garage door button on the wall to open the garage door prior to me pulling up to the house, if the DOOR sensor shows already OPEN it just bypasses activating the Yolink Finger press

Again I do appreciate all of your guidance and your patience with me during this venting that I have been doing as I am frustrated with my inability to actually be able to grasp the concepts necessary to figure out how to properly configure my HA the very way I want too. I realize there are a huge number of different options to configure/setup/make pretty/beautify for almost every single taste, but with all that its straight sensory overload for me as I want a semi-professional appearing dashboard along with the items specifically that I want to be able to glance at or manipulate at a moments notice along with having all of the "background" settings configured properly to ensure that everything works they way its expected including all automations.

[blazing wind]

I totally get your frustration. There are times when I'll go to make something work a certain way and I have to jump through a ton of hoops to get it to work. A lot of it is reading and trying to understand what it going on what what it takes to make it work. Hell, there's been times where I've intentionally written a bit of code that should not have worked but then it turns out to work. And then, of course, I have to go back and try to figure out why...
I don't use SmartThings myself but a quick search lead me to https://community.home-assistant.io/t/smartthings-integration-disappears-every-24-hours/826080/66. It seems to be an ongoing issue. This, however, isn't specifically an issue with HA. Samsung changed some stuff and now the integration needs to be adapted to work with those changes. With that said, IMO, anytime there is a third-party acting as a go-between (Samsung, Amazon, Google, Dreo, Govee, etc.) when they make changes, it plays havoc with the ecosystem in HA and the creators have to try to fix it. The ultimate fix: try to run as much as possible locally as opposed to a third-party. Obviously, your ST system works but perhaps slowly migrating away from ST would be useful. That's where Zigbee and ZWave devices shine when you have a dongle and just connect the device directly to HA.

the button that I have (Yolink Finger which presses the exiting builtin garage door opener on the wall) works in conjunction with the Yolink Garage Door Sensor (knows when it is in a open posture or closed posture based on it relative position in space. So horizontal it knows the sensor is responding as OPEN in the vertical its responding as CLOSED.
These are going to be two different things. Dashboard design and automations are going to be separate things. The concepts are similar though. The button on the dashboard is not going to help (or be useful) in the automation. But, you would configure them about the same. If the sensor is in a certain position, the dashboard button looks a certain way; the automation would push the YoLink if the sensor is vertical and this would be triggered when your state changes from AWAY to HOME.

[tawny owl]

Yeah ive read that article and again I believe I would need to purchase a samsung usb hub in order to setup my smarthings localy but I'm not 100% sure about that. I've tried to configure as many things locally as I could wrap my head around via the UI, then I get a message during setup that tells me that I can't configure via the UI and I have to do it via YAML! (MIND BLOWS UP) I'm like 'are you kidding me' so I try to go read the documentation it references and continue to be even more lost then I was when I was starting thinking that I could just use the integration via the UI!

[tawny owl]

Yes I do understand that and that is what I have been trying to accomplish the portion that doesnt work as I believed it should is the icon image based on the state of garage door either showing the open garage icon or the closed garage icon

I believe I have the actual automation for that configured and working correctly via the script If I could just figure out how to make the damn dashboard icons reflect the correct status states when open/closed that would be a huge accomplishment for me. Of course I believe I am smart enough to think that "there has got to be someone out there who can access my HA and review everything and help resolve my issues" but every single post/blog/string I read says that is not a good idea period! that person you are thinking of giving access to your HA to configure what you want would have to have admin rights and could easily place some behind the scenes bad stuff in my HA and of course I would never know it and steal all my information or mess with my smart home devices etc.

[blazing wind]

I believe I would need to purchase a samsung usb hub in order to setup my smarthings localy
A quick search leads me to believe that is not correct. You do not need to get a Samsung-branded hub. It looks like Samsung's devices can be either Zigbee or ZWave, depending on the device. In theory, it should just be a matter of disconnecting/removing the device from ST and then having it connect to a Zigbee or ZWave dongle connected to HA. (I think #1284966353798697001 would be able to help with that.) For example, this Aqara Zigbee Door and Window Sensor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D37VDM3 says it requires their hub in order to work. Not the case when connected to HA.
Migration from one ecosystem to another is not a quick and easy task especially since you already have ST set up the way you like it. But, that's also an opportunity to learn such as with the Zone/Garage Door Automation.

[tawny owl]

I have a Home Connect dongle configured in my HA now, I have a Samsung Frame Smart TV, Dishwasher, Washer, Dryer, Aqara HUB, 2 Switchbot Hubs that currently are on my SMARTTHINGS account that I used in HA

[blazing wind]

it should is the icon image based on the state of garage door either showing the open garage icon or the closed garage icon
The custom:button-card has the ability to set styling based on the state of the device. So if it is vertical/closed (or whatever it reports), it will show the closed icon with the background greed; horizontal/open would show the open icon with a red background. https://github.com/custom-cards/button-card?tab=readme-ov-file#styles
I forgot to mention on this topic: I would set the card's entity to the sensor, but then configure the tap_action to trigger the YoLink.

there has got to be someone out there who can access my HA and review everything and help resolve my issues" but every single post/blog/string I read says that is not a good idea period!
Yeah. Probably not a good idea but perhaps a screen-sharing program such as Teams, Zoom, or TeamViewer would be an option.

[tawny owl]

Do you happen to know anyone that provides that type of service for HA novices?

Again I appreciate all of your advice and help explaining everything in order to allow me to understand I am still about 50% lost in the weeds so to speak with all of it but I am going to turn in for the evening have a great rest of your night and chat with you again (I'll probably post something more tomorrow) Take care

[blazing wind]

I'd say take one of the non-essential Zigbee devices (perhaps a light bulb in the laundry room or basement, for example) and work on getting it into HA. When you add devices into HA, use a meaningful naming convention which will go a long way in the future. I started with HA before Areas was a thing and (I wanna) say before auto-complete was implemented. But, all my entity names make sense (at leat to me). Two light bulbs in the Living Room are called light.living_room_1 & ..._2 and they belong to a group called light.living_room_lights. The bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, and office lights all follow the same naming convention. Generally, I don't interact with the individual lights but rather the light groups.

[blazing wind]

I don't know of any service that does that, but, frankly, I don't think I would trust one that did especially if they want to be paid. You're going to know your system better than anyone else. It's kind of like having a tricked out sports car with modifications done to it. If there are problems with the car, most mechanics may not want to touch it. Here's a good example: I had a Ford Focus that was experiencing loss of power; it did not want to accelerate. I got it to the dealership and they refused to even hook it up to the diagnostic machine. They told me I had to remove the cold air intake and put it back to stock before they would diagnose it and that would cost $800 for the parts... My girlfriend ended up calling her dad and he suggested replacing the fuel filter because it was probably clogged. He was right. Long story short, finding people to help you fix your problems your self is going to be more beneficial than paying someone to do it for you.