Creating routine in Alexa app for a virtual switch

[user4567]

HE experts,

I'm hoping you can help. I am trying to set up a routine with Alexa running a HE virtual switch. My hub is linked with Alexa and the virtual switch is added to the app. Here is my issue:

In the Alexa app, I locate my switch and hit "create routine". I tap the + button in the upper right corner to create a new routine. I name the routine and hit the + in the "When this happens" portion.I chose "smart home" and it tells me "no devices found. to start a routine with a smart home device, add one in the Devices section of the Alex app". I am going around in circle.s What am I doing wrong? Any help would be so appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

[aaiyar]

Alexa doesn't permit switches to act as triggers for routines. Only sensors (contact, motion, leak) and locks.

So you could make a virtual contact sensor in Hubitat and expose it to Alexa. And use activation of the contact sensor as the trigger for your routine. You could also use a simple virtual contact/switch driver like the one listed below, which can be triggered as a switch in Hubitat and use as a contact sensor to trigger an Alexa routine.

Virtual contact sensor with auto-off switch

metadata {
	definition (name: "Virtual contact with auto-off Switch", namespace: "aa", author: "aaiyar") {
		capability "Sensor"
		capability "Contact Sensor"
        capability "Switch"
	}   
}

preferences {
        section {
		    input (
                name: "AutoOff",
                type: "bool",
                title: "Enable auto off", 
                required: false, 
                displayDuringSetup: false, 
                defaultValue: false
            )
        }
}


def on() {
    sendEvent(name: "contact", value: "closed")
    sendEvent(name: "switch", value: "on")
    if (AutoOff) {
        runInMillis(500, off)
    }
}

def off() {
    sendEvent(name: "contact", value: "open")
    sendEvent(name: "switch", value: "off")
}   

def installed() {
}

[Sebastien]

I like using “combo” sensor/switches for this purpose. There are now two available as part of the hub, a Motion with switch and a presence with switch. Either will work for this purpose.