Persistent Helpers

LCARdS uses Home Assistant input_* helpers to store settings persistently — alert mode state, sound configuration, and HA-LCARS sizing values. They survive HA restarts and can be used in automations.

Create helpers from the Config Panel

The easiest way is the Config Panel → Helpers tab → Create All Helpers — one click creates everything. See LCARdS Config Panel for setup.

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Helper Reference

Alert Mode

Helper	Type	Purpose
input_select.lcards_alert_mode	input_select	Active alert level — green_alert, red_alert, yellow_alert, blue_alert, gray_alert, black_alert
input_boolean.lcards_alert_mode_auto_switch	input_boolean	Automatically activates alert mode when the input_select changes
input_text.lcards_alert_message	input_text	Custom message displayed in the alert overlay content card
input_select.lcards_alert_transition_style	input_select	Screen-transition effect when alert mode switches — off, blur_fade, fade_only, flash, color_bleed, flicker, static, wipe

Sound

Helper	Type	Purpose
input_boolean.lcards_sound_enabled	input_boolean	Master sound on/off toggle
input_boolean.lcards_sound_cards	input_boolean	Card interaction sounds (tap, hold, etc.)
input_boolean.lcards_sound_ui	input_boolean	UI navigation sounds
input_boolean.lcards_sound_alerts	input_boolean	Alert and system sounds
input_number.lcards_sound_volume	input_number	Master volume (0–1)
input_select.lcards_sound_scheme	input_select	Active sound scheme

HA-LCARS Theme Helpers (optional)

These helpers control dimensions, appearance, and features of the HA-LCARS theme. They are only relevant when using the ha_lcars or compatible theme.

Helper	Type	Purpose
input_number.lcars_horizontal	input_number	Dashboard-wide horizontal bar width
input_number.lcars_vertical	input_number	Dashboard-wide vertical bar height
input_number.lcars_elbow_angle	input_number	Dashboard-wide elbow corner angle
input_boolean.lcars_sound	input_boolean	Toggles button/tap sounds within the HA-LCARS theme
input_boolean.lcars_texture	input_boolean	Toggles the grain pattern and backlight effect in HA-LCARS
input_number.lcars_menu_font	input_number	Sidebar menu font size (8–24 px)
sensor.lcars_header	template sensor	Text displayed in the clock area of the HA-LCARS header. Must be defined manually in configuration.yaml as a template sensor

Alert Mode Lab Parameters (auto-managed)

The Alert Mode Lab creates and manages a set of input_number helpers for each alert level — controlling hue, saturation, lightness, and anchor/contrast parameters. These helpers are created automatically when you save from the Lab and do not need to be created manually. See Alert Mode Lab for details.

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Manual YAML Setup

If you prefer to define helpers manually rather than using the Config Panel, use the YAML Export tab in the Config Panel, or add the following to configuration.yaml:

Alert Mode

input_select:
  lcards_alert_mode:
    name: LCARdS Alert Mode
    options:
      - green_alert
      - red_alert
      - yellow_alert
      - blue_alert
      - gray_alert
      - black_alert
    initial: green_alert
    icon: mdi:alert-circle

Sound

input_boolean:
  lcards_sound_enabled:
    name: LCARdS Sound Effects Enabled
    icon: mdi:volume-high
  lcards_sound_cards:
    name: LCARdS Card Interaction Sounds
    icon: mdi:gesture-tap
  lcards_sound_ui:
    name: LCARdS UI Navigation Sounds
    icon: mdi:navigation
  lcards_sound_alerts:
    name: LCARdS Alert & System Sounds
    icon: mdi:alert-circle

input_number:
  lcards_sound_volume:
    name: LCARdS Sound Volume
    min: 0
    max: 1
    step: 0.05
    mode: slider
    icon: mdi:volume-medium

input_select:
  lcards_sound_scheme:
    name: LCARdS Sound Scheme
    options:
      - none
    icon: mdi:music-box-multiple

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Using Helpers in Automations

Because LCARdS reads from these helpers at runtime, you can control LCARdS from any HA automation:

# Trigger red alert from an automation
action:
  - service: input_select.select_option
    data:
      entity_id: input_select.lcards_alert_mode
      option: red_alert

# React when alert mode changes
trigger:
  - platform: state
    entity_id: input_select.lcards_alert_mode
    to: red_alert

See Alert Mode for what all happens when alert mode changes, and how to use it from card actions.