README.md

Platypush
=========

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- Recommended read: [**Getting started with Platypush**](https://blog.platypush.tech/article/Ultimate-self-hosted-automation-with-Platypush).

- The [blog](https://blog.platypush.tech) is in general a good place to get more insights on what you can build with it and inspiration about possible usages.

- The [wiki](https://git.platypush.tech/platypush/platypush/-/wikis/home) also contains many resources on getting started.

- Extensive documentation for all the available integrations and messages [is available](https://docs.platypush.tech/).

- If you have issues/feature requests/enhancement ideas please [create an issue](https://git.platypush.tech/platypush/platypush/-/issues).

- A [Reddit channel](https://www.reddit.com/r/platypush) is also available for more general questions.

---

Platypush is a general-purpose extensible platform for automation and integration across multiple services and devices.

It enables users to create their own self-hosted pieces of automation based on events (*if this happens then do that*)
and it provides a comprehensive and customizable user interface that collects everything you need to visualize and
control under one roof.

It takes some concepts from [IFTTT](https://ifttt.com), [Tasker](https://tasker.joaoapps.com/),
[Microsoft Flow](https://flow.microsoft.com), [PushBullet](https://pushbullet.com) and
[Home Assistant](https://www.home-assistant.io/) to provide an environment where the user can easily connect things
together.

Its ideal home is a single-board computer like a RaspberryPi that you can configure to orchestrate any home automation
and cloud automation in your own living room or garage, but it can easily run on any device that can run a Python
interpreter, and the bar for the hardware requirements is very low as well - I use it to run pieces of automation on
devices as powerful as a RaspberryPi Zero or an old Nokia N900 with Linux.

You can use Platypush to do things like:

- [Control your smart home lights](https://blog.platypush.tech/article/Ultimate-self-hosted-automation-with-Platypush)
- [Control your music and synchronize it to multiple devices](https://blog.platypush.tech/article/Build-your-open-source-multi-room-and-multi-provider-sound-server-with-Platypush-Mopidy-and-Snapcast)
- [Create custom and privacy-secure voice assistants that run custom hooks on your phrases](https://blog.platypush.tech/article/Build-custom-voice-assistants)
- Build integrations between [sensors](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/backend/sensor.html),
  [cameras](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/plugins/camera.pi.html),
  [microphones](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/plugins/sound.html) and
  [machine learning models](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/plugins/tensorflow.html) to create smart
  pieces of automation for e.g.
  [people detection](https://blog.platypush.tech/article/Detect-people-with-a-RaspberryPi-a-thermal-camera-Platypush-and-a-pinch-of-machine-learning)
  or [sound detection](https://blog.platypush.tech/article/Create-your-smart-baby-monitor-with-Platypush-and-Tensorflow)
- [Get events from your Google or Facebook calendars](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/plugins/calendar.html)
- [Read data from your sensors and trigger custom events whenever they go above or below some custom thresholds](https://blog.platypush.tech/article/How-to-build-your-personal-infrastructure-for-data-collection-and-visualization)
- [Control and automate a self-built robot](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/plugins/gpio.zeroborg.html)
- [Deliver automated newsletters from custom RSS digests](https://blog.platypush.tech/article/Deliver-customized-newsletters-from-RSS-feeds-with-Platypush)
- [Synchronize the clipboards on your devices](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/plugins/clipboard.html)
- [Control your smart switches](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/plugins/switch.html)
- [Implement automated custom text-to-speech routines](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/plugins/tts.html)
- [Build any kind of interactions and automation routines with your Android device using Tasker](https://blog.platypush.tech/article/How-to-build-your-personal-infrastructure-for-data-collection-and-visualization)
- Play [local videos](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/plugins/media.mpv.html), YouTube videos and torrent media from any device and service, to any device
- [Get weather forecast events for your location and build automation routines on them](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/plugins/weather.darksky.html)
- [Create a custom single hub for Zigbee and Z-Wave smart devices](https://blog.platypush.tech/article/Transform-a-RaspberryPi-into-a-universal-Zigbee-and-Z-Wave-bridge)
- Build your own web dashboard with calendar, weather, news and music controls (basically, anything that has a Platypush web widget)
- ...and much more (basically, anything that comes with a [Platypush plugin](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/plugins.html))

## Architecture

The architecture of Platypush consists of a few simple pieces, orchestrated by a configuration file stored by default
under [`~/.config/platypush/config.yaml`](https://git.platypush.tech/platypush/platypush/-/blob/master/examples/conf/config.yaml):

### [Plugins](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/plugins.html)

They are integrations that do things - like
[modify files](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/plugins/file.html),
[train and evaluate machine learning models](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/plugins/tensorflow.html),
[control cameras](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/plugins/camera.pi.html),
[read sensors](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/plugins/gpio.sensor.dht.html),
[parse a web page](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/plugins/http.webpage.html),
[control lights](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/plugins/light.hue.html),
[send emails](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/plugins/mail.smtp.html),
[control Chromecasts](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/plugins/media.chromecast.html),
[run voice queries](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/plugins/assistant.google.html),
[handle torrent transfers](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/plugins/torrent.html) or
control [Zigbee](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/plugins/zigbee.mqtt.html) or
[Z-Wave](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/plugins/zwave.html) devices.

The configuration of a plugin matches one-on-one that of its documented class constructor, so it's very straightforward
to write a configuration for a plugin by reading its documentation:

```yaml
light.hue:
  # Groups that will be controlled by default
  groups:
    - Living Room
    - Hall
```

### Actions

Plugins expose *actions*, that match one-on-one the plugin class methods denoted by `@action`, so it's very
straightforward to invoke plugin actions by just reading the plugin documentation. They can be invoked directly from
your own scripts or they can be sent to the platform through any supported channel as simple JSON messages:

```json
{
  "type": "request",
  "action": "light.hue.on",
  "args": {
    "lights": ["Entrance Bulb"]
  }
}
```

### [Backends](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/backends.html)

They are background services that either listen for messages on channels (like an
[HTTP backend](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/backend/http.html), an
[MQTT instance](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/backend/mqtt.html), a
[Kafka instance](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/backend/kafka.html), a
[Websocket service](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/backend/websocket.html),
[Pushbullet](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/backend/pushbullet.html) etc.) or monitor a device or a
service for events (like a [sensor](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/backend/sensor.html), a custom
[voice assistant](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/backend/assistant.google.html), a bridge running on a
[Zigbee](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/backend/zigbee.mqtt.html) or
[Z-Wave](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/backend/zwave.html), an
[NFC card reader](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/backend/nfc.html), a
[MIDI device](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/backend/midi.html), a
[Telegram channel](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/backend/chat.telegram.html), a
[Bluetooth scanner](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/backend/bluetooth.scanner.ble.html) etc.).

If a backend supports the execution of requests (e.g. HTTP, MQTT, Kafka, Websocket and TCP) then you can send requests
to these services in JSON format. For example, in the case of the HTTP backend:

```shell
# Get a token
curl -XPOST -H 'Content-Type: application/json' -d '
  {
    "username": "$YOUR_USER",
    "password": "$YOUR_PASSWORD"
  }' http://host:8008/auth

# Execute a request

curl -XPOST -H 'Content-Type: application/json' -H "Authorization: Bearer $YOUR_TOKEN" -d '
  {
    "type": "request",
    "action": "tts.say",
    "args": {
      "text": "This is a test"
    }
  }' http://host:8008/execute
```

### [Events](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/events.html)

When a certain event occurs (e.g. a JSON request is received, or a
[Bluetooth device is connected](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/events/bluetooth.html#platypush.message.event.bluetooth.BluetoothDeviceConnectedEvent),
or a
[Flic button is pressed](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/events/button.flic.html#platypush.message.event.button.flic.FlicButtonEvent),
or some
[speech is detected on the voice assistant service](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/events/assistant.html#platypush.message.event.assistant.SpeechRecognizedEvent),
or an
[RSS feed has new items](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/events/http.rss.html#platypush.message.event.http.rss.NewFeedEvent),
or a
[new email is received](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/events/mail.html#platypush.message.event.mail.MailReceivedEvent),
or a
[new track is played](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/events/music.html#platypush.message.event.music.NewPlayingTrackEvent),
or an
[NFC tag is detected](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/events/nfc.html#platypush.message.event.nfc.NFCTagDetectedEvent),
or
[new sensor data is available](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/events/sensor.html#platypush.message.event.sensor.SensorDataChangeEvent),
or
[a value of a Zigbee device changes](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/events/zigbee.mqtt.html#platypush.message.event.zigbee.mqtt.ZigbeeMqttDevicePropertySetEvent),
etc.), the associated backend will trigger an [event](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/events.html).

### Hooks

Event hooks are custom pieces of logic that will be run when a certain event is triggered. Hooks are the glue that
connects events to actions, exposing a paradigm similar to IFTTT (_if a certain event happens then run these actions_).
They can declared as:

- Sections of the [`config.yaml`](https://git.platypush.tech/platypush/platypush/-/blob/master/examples/conf/config.yaml).
  Example:

```yaml
event.hook.SearchSongVoiceCommand:
  if:
    type: platypush.message.event.assistant.SpeechRecognizedEvent
    phrase: "play ${title} by ${artist}"
  then:
    - action: music.mpd.clear
    - action: music.mpd.search
      args:
        filter:
          artist: ${artist}
          title: ${title}

    - if ${len(output)}:
      - action: music.mpd.play
        args:
          resource: ${output[0]['file']}
```

- Stand-alone Python scripts stored under `~/.config/platypush/scripts` and will be dynamically imported at start time.
  [Example](https://git.platypush.tech/platypush/platypush/-/blob/master/examples/conf/hook.py):
  
```python
from platypush.event.hook import hook
from platypush.utils import run
from platypush.message.event.assistant import SpeechRecognizedEvent

@hook(SpeechRecognizedEvent, phrase='play ${title} by ${artist}')
def on_music_play_command(event, title=None, artist=None, **context):
  results = run('music.mpd.search', filter={
    'artist': artist,
    'title': title,
  })

  if results:
    run('music.mpd.play', results[0]['file'])
```

### Procedures

Procedures are pieces of custom logic that can be executed as atomic actions using `procedure.<name>` as an action name.
They can be defined either in the `config.yaml` or as Python scripts stored under `~/.config/platypush/scripts` -
provided that the procedure is also imported in `~/.config/platypush/scripts/__init__.py` so it can be discovered by
the service.

YAML example for a procedure that can be executed when we arrive home and turns on the lights if the luminosity is lower
that a certain thresholds, says a welcome home message using the TTS engine and starts playing the music:

```yaml
procedure.at_home:
    # Get luminosity data from a sensor - e.g. LTR559
    - action: gpio.sensor.ltr559.get_data

    # If it's lower than a certain threshold, turn on the lights
    - if ${int(light or 0) < 110}:
        - action: light.hue.on

    # Say a welcome home message
    - action: tts.google.say
      args:
        text: Welcome home

    # Play the music
    - action: music.mpd.play
```

Python example:

```python
# Content of ~/.config/platypush/scripts/home.py
from platypush.procedure import procedure
from platypush.utils import run

@procedure
def at_home(**context):
  sensor_data = run('gpio.sensor.ltr559.get_data')
  if sensor_data['light'] < 110:
    run('light.hue.on')

  run('tts.google.say', text='Welcome home')
  run('music.mpd.play')
```

In either case, you can easily trigger the at-home procedure by sending an action request message to a backend - for
example, over the HTTP backend:

```shell
curl -XPOST -H 'Content-Type: application/json' -H "Authorization: Bearer $YOUR_TOKEN" -d '
  {
    "type": "request",
    "action": "procedure.at_home"
  }' http://host:8008/execute
```

### Cronjobs

Cronjobs are pieces of logic that will be run at regular intervals, expressed in crontab-compatible syntax.
They can be defined either in the `config.yaml` or as Python scripts stored under `~/.config/platypush/scripts` as
functions labelled by the `@cron` decorator.

Note that seconds are also supported (unlike the standard crontab definition), but, for back-compatibility with the
standard crontab format, they are at the end of the cron expression, so the expression is actually in the format
`<minute> <hour> <day_of_month> <month> <day_of_week> <second>`.

YAML example for a cronjob that is executed every 30 seconds and checks if a Bluetooth device is nearby:

```yaml
cron.check_bt_device:
  cron_expression: '* * * * * */30'
  actions:
    - action: bluetooth.lookup_name
      args:
        addr: XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX

    - if ${name}:
        - action: procedure.on_device_on
    - else:
        - action: procedure.on_device_off
```

Python example:

```python
# Content of ~/.config/platypush/scripts/bt_cron.py
from platypush.cron import cron
from platypush.utils import run

@cron('* * * * * */30')
def check_bt_device(**context):
  name = run('bluetooth.lookup_name').get('name')
  if name:
    # on_device_on logic here
  else:
    # on_device_off logic here
```

### The web interface

If [`backend.http`](https://docs.platypush.tech/en/latest/platypush/backend/http.html) is enabled then a web interface
will be provided by default on `http://host:8008/`. Besides using the `/execute` endpoint for running requests, the
built-in web server also provides a full-featured interface that groups together the controls for most of the plugins -
e.g. sensors, switches, music controls and search, media library and torrent management, lights, Zigbee/Z-Wave devices
and so on. The UI is responsive and mobile-friendly.

The web service also provides means for the user to create
[custom dashboards](https://git.platypush.tech/platypush/platypush/-/blob/master/examples/conf/dashboard.xml) that can
be used to show information from multiple sources on a large screen.

## Installation

### System installation

Platypush uses Redis to deliver and store requests and temporary messages:

```yaml
# Example for Debian-based distributions
[sudo] apt-get install redis-server

# Enable and start the service
[sudo] systemctl enable redis
[sudo] systemctl start redis
```

To install the core platform:

* The `pip` way:

```shell
[sudo] pip3 install platypush
```

* The sources way:

```shell
git clone https://git.platypush.tech/platypush/platypush.git
cd platypush
[sudo] python3 setup.py install
```

Then install the extensions that you wish to use. There are a few ways to check the dependencies required by an
extension:

#### Check their `extras` name in [`extras_require` under `setup.py`](https://git.platypush.tech/platypush/platypush/-/blob/master/setup.py#L72).

If you follow this route then you can install the extra dependencies in one of the following ways:

1. `pip` installation:

```shell
[sudo] pip3 install 'platypush[extra1,extra2,extra3]'
```

2. Sources installation:

```shell
cd $DIR_TO_PLATYPUSH
[sudo] pip3 install '.[extra1,extra2,extra3]'
```
  
#### Check the dependencies/installation instructions reported under the plugin/backend documentation.

If you follow this route then simply run the commands listed in the plugin/backend documentation to get the dependencies
installed.

After installing the dependencies, create a configuration file under `~/.config/platypush/config.yaml` (the application
can load the configuration from another location through the `-c` option) containing the configuration of the backend
and plugins that you want to use, and add any hooks and procedures for your use case.

You can then start the service by simply running:

```shell
platypush
```

It's advised to run it as a systemd service though - simply copy the provided
[`.service` file](https://git.platypush.tech/platypush/platypush/-/blob/master/examples/systemd/platypush.service) to
`~/.config/systemd/user`, check if the path of `platypush` matches the path where it's installed on your system, and
start the service via `systemctl`:

```shell
systemctl --user start platypush
```

### [Virtual environment installation](https://git.platypush.tech/platypush/platypush/-/wikis/Run-platypush-in-a-virtual-environment)

Platypush provides a script named `platyvenv` that can parse a `config.yaml` and automatically create a virtual
environment (under `~/.local/share/platypush/venv/<device_id>`) with all the dependencies required by the configured
integrations.

1. Create the environment from a configuration file:

```shell
platyvenv build -c /path/to/config.yaml
```

2. Start the service from the virtual environment:

```shell
# device_id matches either the hostname or the device_id in config.yaml
platyvenv start device_id
```

3. Stop the instance:

```shell
platyvenv stop device_id
```

4. Remove the instance:

```shell
platyvenv rm device_id
```

### [Docker installation](https://git.platypush.tech/platypush/platypush/-/wikis/Run-platypush-in-a-container)

You can also install Platypush in a container - the application provides a script named `platydock` that automatically
creates a container instance from a `config.yaml`:

1. Create the container from a configuration file:

```shell
platydock build -c /path/to/config.yaml
```

2. Start the container:

```shell
# device_id matches either the hostname or the device_id in config.yaml
platydock start device_id
```

3. Stop the instance:

```shell
platydock stop device_id
```

4. Remove the instance:

```shell
platydock rm device_id
```

Note that both the virtual environment and Docker container option offer the possibility to include extra YAML configuration
files in the main `config.yaml` through the `include` directive (as long as they are in the same folder as the main
`config.yaml`), as well as external Python scripts in a `scripts` directory in the same folder as the `config.yaml`.

## Mobile app

An [official Android app](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/tech.platypush.platypush/) is provided on the F-Droid store.
It allows to easily discover and manage multiple Platypush services on a network through the web interface, and it
easily brings the power of Platypush to your fingertips.

## Tests

To run the tests simply run `pytest` either from the project root folder or the `tests/` folder.
Or run the following command from the project root folder:

```shell
python -m tests
```

---

## Funding

If you use and love Platypush, please consider [buying me a coffee/beer](https://paypal.me/fabiomanganiello).

I've been working on Platypush all by myself in my spare time for the past few years, and I've made sure that it remains
open and free.

If you like this product, please consider supporting - I'm definitely not planning to get rich with this project, but
I'd love to have at least the costs for the server covered by users.

Issues and requests opened by donors will also be given priority over others.