I’ve been working on setting up a reliable automation system for my cable modem reboot, and I wanted to share my journey and insights with the community. Here’s how I tackled the challenge of detecting whether my automation rules were firing correctly.### The ChallengeI created two automation rules to turn off and then turn on my smart outlet at specific times (2:30 AM and 2:31 AM on Thursdays). The goal was to reboot my cable modem periodically to maintain a stable connection. However, despite enabling logging and app events, I wasn’t seeing any confirmation that the rules were triggering. This uncertainty was frustrating, as I couldn’t be sure if the automation was working as intended.### The SolutionAfter some research and experimentation, I discovered a few key steps that helped me verify whether my automation rules were firing:1. Check Logs Thoroughly: Ensure that logging is enabled for both the rule and the devices involved. Sometimes, logs can be buried under other entries, so filtering by time or device can help pinpoint the activity. 2. Use Conditional Actions: I added conditional actions within my rules to send notifications or trigger specific behaviors if the rules were executed. For example, if the outlet turned off, it would send a notification to my phone.3. Test with Visible Indicators: I set up the outlet to control a visible light source temporarily. This way, I could physically see if the outlet was turning off and on as scheduled.4. Simulate the Trigger: To test the rules independently, I manually triggered the conditions (e.g., turning off the outlet at 2:30 AM myself) to see if the automation responded correctly.### Key Takeaways- Logging is Your Friend: Invest time in understanding how logs work in your system. They are invaluable for troubleshooting and verifying automation behavior.- Visual Confirmation Helps: Sometimes, the best way to confirm an automation is working is through a physical indicator, like a light or sound.- Test in Stages: Break down your automation into smaller parts and test each component individually before integrating them into a full system.### Community FeedbackI’d love to hear how others approach verifying their automation rules. Have you encountered similar challenges? What methods have worked well for you? Let’s share tips and tricks to help each other optimize our smart home setups!Thank you for reading, and happy automating! 