Visual node-based smart home automation editor with a 24/7 backend engine - your automations run even when you close the browser!
Back in 2003, I got into home automation. Every app I found was menu-driven - you'd click through screens to set up rules, but you couldn't see the logic flow. As a visual effects artist running Nuke (a node-based compositing tool), I kept thinking: "Why can't I just connect device nodes, trigger nodes, and logic nodes together?"
Nothing like that existed, and I wasn't a programmer. Fast forward 20 years - LLMs changed everything. I could finally design the app I'd always wanted while AI handled the code.
T2AutoTron is that app. A visual-first automation editor where you see your automations flow in real-time.
| T2AutoTron | Node-RED | |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy | See data flow live on nodes | Debug via text sidebar |
| Learning curve | Lower - no msg.payload | Steeper |
| Color tools | Built-in HSV, timelines, Oklab | Manual setup |
| Home Automation | Purpose-built for HA | General-purpose |
| Execution | 24/7 backend engine | Flow-based |
I'm sure there are others who'd appreciate a visual approach. But this is beta software - I need testers! Click the 🐛 Report Bug button in the app to help make it better.
- 🎨 Visual Node Editor - Drag-and-drop automation building with Rete.js
- ⚡ 24/7 Backend Engine - Automations run on the server, not in your browser
- 🔄 Sync-on-Close - Graph auto-syncs when you switch tabs or close browser
- 💾 Auto-Save - Every 2 minutes to prevent work loss
- ⭐ Favorites Panel - Drag nodes to favorites for quick access
- 📷 Camera Panel - View IP camera streams (MJPEG/snapshot)
- 🏠 Home Assistant – All entities (lights, switches, sensors, media players, climate, etc.)
- 💡 Philips Hue – Direct bridge API + built-in effects (candle, fire, prism, sparkle, etc.)
- 🔌 TP-Link Kasa – Direct local API (no cloud, no HA required)
- 🏠 Shelly – Via Home Assistant integration
- 🎨 All-in-One Color Node - Full color control with:
- Kelvin Slider (2000K-10000K) - Real-world light temperatures
- TMI Color Grading - Temperature/Tint like Nuke's Grade node
- RGB/HSV Sliders - All bidirectionally synced
- 🌈 Spline Timeline Color - Time-based color gradients with custom spline curves
- 🔬 Oklab Color Space - Perceptually uniform color interpolation (no muddy browns!)
- ✨ Hue/Wiz Effect Nodes - Trigger built-in light effects with multi-light selection
| Category | Nodes |
|---|---|
| Home Assistant | HA Generic Device, HA Device Automation, HA Sensor, HA Thermostat |
| Timer/Event | Sunrise/Sunset, Time of Day, Time Range, Day of Week, Date Comparison, Delay, Debounce, Retriggerable |
| Logic | AND, OR, NOT, XOR, NAND, NOR, Compare, Threshold, Conditional Switch, Priority Encoder, Latch, Toggle |
| Color | All-in-One Color, HSV Control, HSV Modifier, Spline Timeline Color, Color Gradient |
| Inputs | Toggle, Number Slider, Trigger Button, Inject |
| Utility | Sender/Receiver, Display, Counter, Math, Random, Stock Price, Debug |
| Effects | Hue Effect, Wiz Effect |
| Direct Devices | Hue Light, Hue Group, Kasa Light, Kasa Plug |
- 🔍 Debug Dashboard - Compare engine state vs actual device state with color timeline
- 🐛 Report Bug Button - One-click GitHub issue with auto-filled debug info
- 📊 Device Timeline - Visual history showing what color each light was at any time
- 🔧 Hot Plugin Updates - Add new nodes without rebuilding
- 🎯 Group Navigation - Quick-jump buttons to zoom to Backdrop groups
| Option | Best For | Install Time |
|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Home Assistant Add-on | HA users who want everything in one place | 5-10 min |
| 🖥️ Desktop App | Standalone use, development, non-HA users | 1-2 min |
Run T2AutoTron directly inside Home Assistant - no separate computer needed!
-
Add the repository to Home Assistant:
- Go to Settings → Add-ons → Add-on Store
- Click the ⋮ menu → Repositories
- Add:
https://github.com/gregtee2/home-assistant-addons
-
Find "T2AutoTron" in the add-on store and click Install
-
Wait for build (5-10 minutes on Raspberry Pi)
-
Start the add-on and click Open Web UI
That's it! Your automations now run 24/7 on your HA server.
Option A: ZIP Download (Easiest)
- Download: T2AutoTron-stable.zip
- Extract to a folder (e.g.,
C:\T2AutoTron)
Option B: Git Clone (For Developers)
git clone https://github.com/gregtee2/T2AutoTron.git
cd T2AutoTronWindows: Double-click install.bat
Mac/Linux:
chmod +x install.sh && ./install.sh⏱️ First install takes 1-2 minutes. Node.js is installed automatically if needed.
Windows: Double-click start_servers.bat
Mac/Linux:
./start_servers.shThe app opens in an Electron desktop window.
- Click the ⚙️ Settings gear icon
- Enter your Home Assistant URL (e.g.,
http://homeassistant.local:8123) - Enter your Home Assistant Token (How to get a token)
- Click Test Connection → should show green checkmark
- Click Save
Windows: Double-click update.bat
Mac/Linux:
./update.sh🔄 Works like ComfyUI - one click to update!
| File | Purpose |
|---|---|
install.bat / install.sh |
One-click installer (installs Node.js + dependencies) |
start_servers.bat / start_servers.sh |
Recommended - Launches backend + Electron app |
start.bat / start.sh |
Alternative - Launches backend + browser |
update.bat / update.sh |
One-click updater |
Build automations by connecting nodes visually - no coding required.
Create complex automations with visual flows connecting triggers, logic, and device control.
Group related nodes into zones for better organization.
Configure all your integrations in one place with connection testing.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ SHARED LOGIC LAYER │
│ (38 pure calculation functions) │
│ TimeRange • LogicGates • Color/Oklab • Delay • Utility │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
↓ ↓
┌─────────────────────┐ ┌─────────────────────────────┐
│ FRONTEND (Browser) │ │ BACKEND ENGINE (24/7) │
│ Rete.js Editor │◄──────────►│ Node.js + Socket.IO │
│ React Components │ Sync │ Device Managers │
│ Visual Graph │ │ REST API │
└─────────────────────┘ └─────────────────────────────┘
- Rete.js v3: Modern visual programming framework
- React Components: All nodes are React components with state management
- 24/7 Backend Engine: Server-side execution - 100% frontend node coverage
- Shared Logic Layer: Same math runs on frontend AND backend
- Vite Build System: Fast development with HMR
- Plugin Architecture: Add new nodes without rebuilding
# Clone the repo
git clone https://github.com/gregtee2/T2AutoTron.git
cd T2AutoTron
# Install dependencies
cd v3_migration/backend && npm install
cd ../frontend && npm install
# Create environment config
cd ../backend
cp .env.example .env # Edit with your settings
# Start servers (two terminals)
cd v3_migration/backend && npm start # Terminal 1: Backend on port 3000
cd v3_migration/frontend && npm run dev # Terminal 2: Frontend on port 5173cd v3_migration/frontend
npm run build
# Copy dist/* to backend/frontend/Debug logging is disabled by default. To enable:
- Backend: Set
VERBOSE_LOGGING=trueinv3_migration/backend/.env - Frontend: Set
EDITOR_DEBUG = trueinEditor.jsx
- 📖 Getting Started Guide - Step-by-step tutorial
- 🔧 Node Development Guide - Create custom nodes
- 🧩 Plugin Architecture - Extend T2AutoTron
- 🏗️ Backend Engine Plan - Server-side execution
- HAThermostatNode - Control Nest, Ecobee, and any HA climate entity
- Visual Temperature Ring - See current/target temps at a glance
- Mode Buttons - Off/Heat/Cool/Auto with one click
- Full Automation - Connect inputs to automate setpoints and modes
- Backend Support - Works 24/7 even when browser is closed
- Kelvin Slider - Real-world light temperatures (2000K-10000K)
- TMI Color Grading - Nuke-style Temperature/Tint sliders
- Additive Color Math - Both axes work independently
- Perceptually Uniform Gradients - Red→Green goes through vibrant yellows, not muddy browns
- Shared Logic Layer - 38 pure functions used by both frontend and backend
- Device Timeline Colors - See actual light colors over time
- Split Bar Comparison - Engine vs HA actual color with mismatch indicator
- Priority Encoder Node - Outputs index of first TRUE input
- Hue/Wiz Effect Restore - No longer turns lights ON when effect ends
- Proper State Handoff - Effect nodes only clear effect, don't override on/off
- Sync-on-Close - Graph syncs when you switch tabs (uses visibilitychange)
- Heartbeat System - Backend knows when frontend is active
See CHANGELOG.md for full history.
- 60+ node types with full backend coverage
- 24/7 backend engine with frontend sync
- Visual color tools (HSV, Oklab, TMI, Kelvin)
- Debug dashboard with device timeline
- Hue/Wiz effect nodes
- Plugin architecture with hot reload
- Settings UI with connection testing
- Mobile-responsive UI
- Additional direct device support (LIFX, WLED)
- Community node sharing
- Cloud backup option
- PWA/Mobile app
Built with:
- Rete.js v3 - Visual programming framework
- React - UI components
- Vite - Build system
- Home Assistant - Smart home platform
- Oklab - Perceptual color space
Keywords: home-automation node-editor smart-home home-assistant iot react retejs visual-programming automation philips-hue kasa color-grading