--- title: Set up automations via Matter slug: bar/smart-home/automations-matter description: Learn how to set up smart home automations using your BUSY Bar via Matter image: https://cdn.images.archbee.com/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/4QWTw-cBisYqmiESgQP5__busy-docs-prev.jpg createdAt: 2026-04-20T15:03:13.215Z --- ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/4Bis6sybSHATiB5gyUvni_busy-bar-triggers-events-new.jpg) Smart home automations allow connected devices to perform actions automatically based on predefined rules, reducing the need for manual control and making everyday tasks more convenient. Once your [BUSY Bar is connected to your smart home](docId\:o-O1V6N63_pisLlcQJbJN), you can add it to automations. BUSY Bar can trigger actions in other devices when its status changes, update its displayed status in response to events in your home, or serve as a condition that determines whether an automation runs. On this page, you'll learn more about automations with BUSY Bar: - [How automations work%section%](docId:1t94kLeT1EwOu0b3c0gH5) - [BUSY Bar in automations%section%](docId:1t94kLeT1EwOu0b3c0gH5) - [Create an automation with BUSY Bar%section%](docId:1t94kLeT1EwOu0b3c0gH5) *** # How automations work Every automation usually has three parts: - :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/PF6uAkw9VactEsMq8EBDZ_trigger.png" alt caption width="72" height="96"}** Trigger** — an event that starts an automation. *Examples: motion is detected, a door opens, BUSY Bar shows the BUSY status.* - :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/-fDQbKMjuxl6iXPW-5V3M_condition.png" alt caption width="72" height="96"}** Condition** (optional) — decides whether the automation should run. *Examples: only on weekdays, only if someone is home, only if BUSY Bar shows BUSY.* - :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/w4AeD69akoUqzY7pN2zQA_action.png" alt caption width="72" height="96"}** Action** — the task the smart home performs. *Examples: turn on lights, lock doors, play music, BUSY Bar changes status to BUSY.* ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/LBPDJ4rFfps6zTAV3-kBB_automation-logic.jpg "Triggers start the automation, conditions are optional rules for the automation to run, and actions are what the automation does") *** # BUSY Bar in Matter automations BUSY Bar is shown in a smart home as a **smart light** with only two possible states: - **ON** — when the BUSY or custom status is running. - **OFF** — when the BUSY or custom status is not running. For example, when the rest phase is active, the timer is paused, or BUSY Bar is in OFF mode. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/8Ry4oPUoU4ejSXD-8yeYs_on-and-off-states.png) This makes BUSY Bar a simple switch-like device that can be used in automations as: - :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/PF6uAkw9VactEsMq8EBDZ_trigger.png" alt caption width="72" height="96"} **Trigger** — when the BUSY status starts, the automation starts. - :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/-fDQbKMjuxl6iXPW-5V3M_condition.png" alt caption width="72" height="96"} **Condition** — automation runs only if BUSY Bar is in a specific state (BUSY shown or not shown). - :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/w4AeD69akoUqzY7pN2zQA_action.png" alt caption width="72" height="96"} **Action** — BUSY status starts or stops/pauses as a result of the automation. :::hint{type="info"} :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/JzzAMWPfMWluW80KVupgz-20260311-152018.png" alt caption width="76" height="88"} **Amazon Alexa** BUSY Bar cannot act as a trigger for Alexa routines. Alexa routines can’t be triggered by changes in the state of a smart light or switch. ::: ### BUSY Bar as a :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/PF6uAkw9VactEsMq8EBDZ_trigger.png" alt caption width="72" height="96"}Trigger By default, BUSY Bar triggers automations from both :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/9kfvnatDJKrHrIouR2b4d-20260306-150519.png" alt caption width="220" height="110"} and :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/FW9F1FGJAPCPxlsfpX144-20260306-150456.png" alt caption width="220" height="110"} modes. You can change the trigger settings to use only one mode or disable triggering from both modes. ::::::Tabs :::::Tab{title="Using BUSY Bar"} ::::WorkflowBlock :::WorkflowBlockItem Switch your BUSY Bar to the mode you want to configure: :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/9kfvnatDJKrHrIouR2b4d-20260306-150519.png" alt caption width="220" height="110"} or :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/-i3AtQ2KI77_AOwtJ6Bbp-20260313-124654.png" alt="CUSTOM" caption width="135" height="72"}. ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Go to **Setup → Smart Home**. ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Set **Trigger smart home **to **ON **to enable smart home automations, or **OFF **to disable them. ::: :::: ::::: :::::Tab{title="Using mobile BUSY App"} ::::WorkflowBlock :::WorkflowBlockItem Open :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/QHcyDZeejE_E7ndcwFKpR_busy-app-icon.png" alt caption width="96" height="96"} **BUSY App**, swipe to the timer you want to set up, and tap **Settings**. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/YianEbKaqwa66jjYy5V4I_open-timer-settings-in-busy-app.png) ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Set **Smart home automation **to **ON **to enable smart home automations, or **OFF **to disable them. ::: :::: ::::: :::::: ### BUSY Bar as an :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/w4AeD69akoUqzY7pN2zQA_action.png" alt caption width="72" height="96"}Action When BUSY Bar is added to an automation as an Action, it can only start :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/9kfvnatDJKrHrIouR2b4d-20260306-150519.png" alt caption width="220" height="110"} mode. :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/FW9F1FGJAPCPxlsfpX144-20260306-150456.png" alt caption width="220" height="110"} can’t be started by an automation. *** # Create an automation with BUSY Bar Before creating automations with BUSY Bar, make sure: - :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/8spYjGbfBW0VE-Abpk1UT-20260427-121318.svg" alt caption width="68" height="68"} [BUSY Bar is connected to your smart home%page%](docId\:o-O1V6N63_pisLlcQJbJN) - :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/w4AeD69akoUqzY7pN2zQA_action.png" alt caption width="72" height="96"} All other devices for the automation are added to your smart home ::::WorkflowBlock :::WorkflowBlockItem Open your smart home app. ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Create a new automation. The steps may vary depending on your platform: - Apple Home: :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/-Dgfk5ZHvY1o25eZdA_2n_add.png" alt caption width="76" height="96"}** → Add Automation** - Google Home: :inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/-Dgfk5ZHvY1o25eZdA_2n_add.png" alt caption width="76" height="96"}** → Automation** - SmartThings: **Home Name → Create Routine** - Amazon Alexa: **More → Routines → **:inlineImage[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3StCFqarJkJQZV-7N79yY/-Dgfk5ZHvY1o25eZdA_2n_add.png" alt caption width="76" height="96"}** → Add an event** ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Set up your automation by selecting: - **Triggers** — events that start the automation - **Conditions ***(optional)* — requirements that must be met for it to run - **Actions** — tasks performed when triggers occur and conditions are met ::: :::WorkflowBlockItem Save the automation. ::: :::: :::hint{type="info"} When using BUSY Bar as a trigger or action, create automations for both of BUSY Bar’s states: ON and OFF. ::: For detailed instructions on setting up automations, see the guide for your smart home system: - [Google Home%page%](https://support.google.com/googlehome/answer/16214649?hl=en-GB\&ref_topic=16062118\&sjid=4547908301008657670-EU#zippy=%2Ccreate-an-automation) - [Apple Home%page%](https://support.apple.com/en-gb/102313) - [SmartThings%page%](https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS10002640/) - [Amazon Alexa%page%](https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G2PYLKJN3XVZ55EQ) - [Home Assistant%page%](https://www.home-assistant.io/docs/automation/basics/)