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The original was posted on /r/homeassistant by /u/ravan on 2025-01-08 04:43:11+00:00.

A couple of things thats been working well for me

• I keep a spreadsheet with devices, IDs, overview of home things are hooked up / automated, locations, IPs and so on. It has saved me many times - latest when I upgraded the aqara gateway and needed MAC Id’s for all the connected devices. Nothing fancy, but I have forgotten where I put something more times than I can remember and this is very helpful.
• Goodnight automation that turns off lights, except a few for 20 minutes while getting ready for bed, turns on TV in bedroom, and locks all doors / checks for locks.
• Using the apple home app for some family members with the few automations they want to access easily - its just been a lot easier over time
• I use apple home for presence detection with a few switches in home assistant and shortcuts that update HA with state of household members and when everyone has left/someone returned - works extremely well and have not had to fiddle with anything more advanced although going to look into room presence in 2025 with esphome.
• I learned that even though something is supported in HA stuff changes over time and stability is important for sanity, so trying to standardize on fewer brands/platforms/ecosystems. All zigbee is via aqara hub now and trying to only buy devices that support matter now, hopefully thread also as it stabilizes.
• Keeping up with news from the HA podcast and this sub has been great.
• Finally got around to do smart blinds and love it -