success: custom python script, then Home Assistant Add-On via ChatGPT

Enhancing Home Automation with Custom Python Scripting and ChatGPT: A Case Study

Introduction

In the evolving landscape of smart home automation, integrating custom solutions can significantly enhance functionality and security. Recently, I embarked on a project that exemplifies how leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT, combined with home automation platforms such as Home Assistant, can streamline complex tasks. Here, I share my journey of developing a tailored Python script and transforming it into a Home Assistant Add-On—demonstrating the power of collaboration between human ingenuity and artificial intelligence.

Project Background

The core of this project involved monitoring a security camera installed at my mother’s residence. The camera, a Reolink Argus, is solar-powered and operates independently of any power outlet. While the camera provides alerts via its dedicated app, I aimed to automate the archiving of its recordings—particularly in light of recent neighborhood burglaries.

Initial Approach

Initially, I created a Python script that ran on my local computer every five minutes via cron. Its purpose was to check a dedicated email inbox for new video recordings sent by the camera, download these files, and notify me through Telegram and Discord, ensuring secure cloud backups within chat platforms. To prevent storage overload, the script included logic to verify successful message delivery before deleting local copies.

Transition to Home Assistant

Since my PC isn’t always on, I sought a more reliable solution. I turned to Home Assistant, a popular open-source home automation platform running on a dedicated device that stays powered 24/7. With ChatGPT’s assistance, I adapted my Python script into a custom Home Assistant Add-On, scheduled to trigger every five minutes via automations.

This transition involved overcoming several hurdles. ChatGPT provided initial code, but I encountered issues like incorrect file paths and configuration formats. Through iterative refining—reading documentation, identifying errors, and manually correcting the code—I managed to develop a fully functional Add-On that performs email checking, video downloading, and notification dispatching seamlessly.

Key Features of the Solution

• Automated Email Monitoring: The script scans a specific Gmail label, filtering by sender address and subject content to identify relevant recordings.

• Duplicate Prevention: Hashes of downloaded videos are stored to prevent re-downloading the same files.

• Cross-Platform Notifications: When a new video is detected, notifications are sent via Telegram and Discord, with attachments included for immediate review and backup.

• Storage Management: Once confirmed that notifications have been successfully delivered, local copies are deleted