I’ve recently delved into the world of smart lighting automation, and I must say, it’s been a delightful journey! 
I wanted to share my experience and some tips that might help others looking to enhance their smart home setup. The Setup: I’ve been using Shelly devices alongside Node-RED to create a seamless lighting automation system. The goal was to make my home feel more intuitive and connected. For instance, when I enter a room, the lights should adjust based on my presence and time of day. My Experience: One of the most satisfying aspects has been setting up motion-triggered lighting. I’ve configured it so that when I walk into a room, the lights dim to 25% in adjacent rooms. If I then move into one of those rooms, the lights brighten to 100%. This creates a smooth transition and ensures I never walk into a dark space. It’s like having a personal lighting assistant! 
Node-RED Magic: Node-RED has been the backbone of this project. Using flow context variables, I’ve managed to prevent lights from turning off prematurely. For example, if I’m moving from the hallway into the bathroom, the lights stay on in the bathroom even if motion stops in the hallway. This level of customization is truly impressive. A Little Quirk: I must admit, setting this up wasn’t without its challenges. Ensuring all devices communicated seamlessly required some trial and error. But once everything was in place, it was worth every moment of troubleshooting. Now, my home feels like a well-choreographed dance of lights and motion! Tips for Others: - Start Small: Begin with a single room or area to get a feel for how the system works before expanding. - Leverage Existing Hardware: If you already have smart devices, check if they can integrate with Node-RED. It might save you from buying new equipment. - Experiment with Scenes: Create different lighting scenes for various times of the day or activities. It adds a personal touch to your smart home. Final Thoughts: This project has not only improved my daily routine but also sparked a newfound enthusiasm for home automation. The satisfaction of walking into a room and seeing the lights adjust perfectly is unmatched. If you’re considering diving into smart lighting, I highly recommend exploring Node-RED and Shelly devices—they’ve been game-changers for me! Happy automating! 