Hello everyone! I’ve been diving into the world of smart home integration and wanted to share my experiences and tips for combining SmartThings, Harmony, and Echo devices. 
My Journey:
I’ve recently set up a system where I use SmartThings power outlets, Harmony activities, and Echo devices to automate my home. One challenge I faced was getting Alexa to trigger Harmony activities that include smart power outlets. Initially, I thought there might be a limitation in the Harmony app where outlets couldn’t be positioned at the top of an activity, but after some research and testing, I found a workaround!
Key Insights:
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Alexa Integration with Harmony:
- Ensure your Harmony Hub is properly synced with Alexa.
- Create custom routines in the Alexa app that include both Harmony activities and SmartThings devices.
- If outlets aren’t responding, check their placement in the activity and ensure they’re included in the Alexa skill settings.
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SmartThings Power Outlets:
- These are fantastic for adding smart control to non-smart devices.
- Make sure to test each outlet individually to rule out connection issues.
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Echo Devices as Controllers:
- Using Echo Show for visual confirmation has been a game-changer!
- Custom voice routines make daily tasks seamless.
Tips for Others:
- Start small by integrating one device category at a time.
- Use the Alexa app’s debugging tools to troubleshoot connectivity issues.
- Don’t hesitate to reach out to community forums for specific device troubleshooting.
Holiday Fun:
As we approach the holiday season, I’m thinking of setting up a festive lighting scene using my SmartThings outlets and Harmony activities. Maybe even a synchronized light show with music played through my Echo devices! 
If anyone has tips for optimizing this setup or creative ideas for holiday automation, I’d love to hear them! Thanks for reading, and happy automating! 