As a long-time user of Home Assistant, I’ve always been passionate about creating seamless and intuitive user experiences, especially on mobile devices. My journey began with a simple yet effective approach: building linked dashboards using grid cards. The top-most grid, featuring a single column, ensures that all cards display neatly on an iPhone, which is the primary device we use for manual controls at home.
Each area of our house has its own dashboard. The top section contains navigation buttons to other rooms, while the lower part houses the most frequently used controls. This setup minimizes scrolling and ensures quick access to essential functions. The main menu dashboard serves as a central hub, offering quick access to common functions and room-specific dashboards.
With the introduction of Sections in recent updates, I’ve been exploring how to leverage this feature to enhance the mobile experience further. Sections promise a more organized and visually appealing interface, which is something I’m eager to implement. I’d love to hear from others who have successfully utilized Sections or have creative ideas on how to maximize their potential.
One technique I’ve found particularly useful is customizing card layouts to suit different rooms. For instance, in our kitchen, I’ve grouped all cooking-related controls together, making it incredibly convenient to manage appliances with just a few taps. This level of customization not only improves usability but also adds a personal touch to the setup.
I’d also like to share a tip for those struggling with automation reliability. Ensuring that all devices are on the same network and that firmware is up-to-date has been instrumental in maintaining smooth operations. Additionally, testing automations manually before relying on them has helped identify and resolve issues early on.
If anyone has tips on optimizing dashboards, especially with the new Sections feature, or has encountered unique challenges while setting up their systems, I’d love to hear about your experiences and solutions!