I currently use Rule Machine and Basic Rules for all my automations except a few things in Notifier.
I was looking through the built in app list and I noticed of course the Visual Rule Builder but I also saw one called Simple Automations. Beside the flow visual effect of visual rule builder which app of the three to you guys is the better app for the automations not needing RM? What is the benefits of your recommended app?
There is a note on this in the Visual Rules Builder docs:
But ultimately, whatever app meets your needs and that you feel most comfortable with should work. I prefer Basic Rules because the flow-based view in Visual Rules Builder generally takes up more space and isn't helpful for me, but it was created because some people specifically wanted that. I tend to ignore Simple Automation Rules since it's an older app originally geared towards lighting and the others generally flow better in terms of how you'd think of things when creating automations.
I also have a lot of custom apps I wrote that aren't any of these, and I use purpose-built built-in apps instead of any of these when possible. I think lots of people overlook the last thing.
I am like you I don't need the visual flow diagram and I had the same concern of space on the screen. I looked up several posts and the documentation on Visual Rules and I didn't see anything that would say it is better than Basic Rules except the visual diagram which to me is not important.
I have no idea how to make my own apps. I am the mercy of the system. When you say "purpose-built built in apps" what do you mean?
All of the ones you see listed under "Add Built-In App" (or "Add App" if you have no custom code), just not diving straight into the "rule"-style apps for every automation.
I use Simple Automations for my outside lights because that is, really, a simple rule: on at sunset, off at sunrise. I didn't find Visual Rules that useful for me and don't use it. I take a look through the built-in apps now and then to see if there's something that will suite my needs. Otherwise, Rule Machine.
Yes, I read the link you sent me. I also know how to install built in apps, code from GitHub, and also apps/drivers from HPM.
I apologize I wasn't being clear. When looking at the built in apps list I see apps about thermostats, button controllers, and other integration apps such as Kass, Wiz, Ecobee, etc.
My question was other than maybe button controllers (I can do the same thing in basic rules and RM) how do any of these other built in apps control automations. I thought they were just integrations to bring things into Hubitat. So my question is how do you use the other built in apps to control or set up automations, not how do I install them.
No, there are lots of apps like Notifications (to send push notifications or TTS announcements related to device events or states), Mode Manager (to automate changing modes, though there is now an option built in to Settings), Thermostat Scheduler (replicate "smart" thermostat scheduling on your hub, usually more powerful than whatever such devices offer onboard; this is not an integration app for thermostats), and many others. There are also ones like Room Lighting that can create powerful automation for lighting and related devices (like shades) as well as replicate group- and scene-type functionality (capable of replacing the older Groups and Scenes app, another option).
Of course, if these don't fit your use case, you don't have to use them. But I think a lot of people jump too soon to rule-type apps, in particular Rule Machine, and then find themselves over their head in complexity when a solution built for a specific purpose, and one that is much easier to set up, is already available to them.
I have been beaten into submission by room lighting more times than I want to willingly admit. I just can't get my head around it. For some reason I have had better luck with Groups and Scenes and writing basic rules or RM rules.
I have recently discovered Notifier and switched what notifications I could to it. Unfortunately there are some not supported by Notifier so I had to keep in RM.
However, I did not realize that about the thermostats and such. Thank you for pointing it out.