Chat actions

This feature allows responding to incoming notifications directly from the chat through special buttons or links attached to the message. This means that not only will you receive alerts, but you can also take action on them immediately without wasting time or leaving the chat window.

• How it works?
• What services are supported?
• How to set it up?
• Use case

How it works?

Chat actions are closely related to source services. In a nutshell: clicking on an action button/link fires the event associated with it within the service that generated the notification. For example, opening the front door, turning on the light in the hallway, etc.

Here's how it goes:

1. The user receives a notification in the chat with an action button/link.

You received a Telegram notification “Washing machine leak!!” with the "Turn off the washing machine" button.



2. The user clicks on a button/link in the chat window.

You pressed the "Turn off the washing machine" button.



3. Notify.Events sends a signal back to the source service.

Notify.Events sent a signal about the activation of the "Turn off the washing machine" button to the Home Assistant.



4. The source service runs the algorithm to perform the specified action.

Home Assistant sent a shutdown signal to the smart plug the washing machine is connected to.



5. The action is happening.

The smart plug received the shutdown signal from the Home Assistant, the washing machine turned off.

So, after pressing the button in the chat, a signal is sent to the source service. And already on its side, a user-configured algorithm is triggered, putting into effect a specific action.

What services are supported?

Sources

Setting up buttons/links for chat actions is available for some services from the IoT and Smart Homes category:

• Node-RED,
• Homebridge,

and also for some libraries:

• Node.js,
• Python,
• Incoming Webhook,
• PHP.

Recipients

Actions in one form or another are supported in most recipients. The only difference is how the actions will be displayed in the chat window - as buttons, or as direct links to the action.

You can check this on the Features page by clicking on the desired recipient card. If there is a green check next to the Chat Actions line, then you will receive buttons.

If there is no check mark, Notify.Events will automatically replace the button with a direct link to the action. By clicking on the link, the user will trigger the specified event in the same way. And in the window that opens, they should see a notification of successful activation.

The feature is not available for recipients making voice calls.

How to set it up?

Sending messages with buttons/links is set through the interface of the sender service, as part of the notification settings. To do this, you must already have a channel configured in the Notify.Events interface and a Notify.Events plugin installed for the desired service.

All that is required is to create the necessary number of buttons with the text that will be displayed on them when a notification is received. You can configure the simultaneous sending of up to 3 buttons. Make sure that you have added the desired action to the chain of events so that it fires on click.

Use case

The number of variations of events and action buttons for them within the framework of built-in automation cases is almost endless. Open the gate to the courier when a doorbell message is received. Call the master as soon as you read the notice of a leak in the kitchen. Start the laundry drying program after notification of the wash end, and so on.

And if you set up sending several buttons at once, you can choose the desired reaction depending on the notification received and the situation. For example, when receiving a message containing a photo from a video doorbell or a surveillance camera installed at the threshold, open the door or call the security service / police. In the first case, pressing the button will provoke the sending of a signal to open the door to the smart door lock and the subsequent physical opening of the door. In the second - alarm system triggering.