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 diagonal angle (1–89°). Elbow segments set to Theme Binding follow this value live.
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, 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

HA-LCARS Theme

input_number:
  lcars_elbow_angle:
    name: LCARS Elbow Angle
    min: 1
    max: 89
    step: 1
    mode: slider
    unit_of_measurement: "°"
    initial: 45
    icon: mdi:angle-acute
  lcars_vertical:
    name: LCARS Vertical
    min: 26
    max: 60
    step: 1
    mode: slider
    icon: mdi:arrow-expand-vertical
  lcars_horizontal:
    name: LCARS Horizontal
    min: 6
    max: 60
    step: 1
    mode: slider
    icon: mdi:arrow-expand-horizontal
  lcars_menu_font:
    name: LCARS Menu Font
    min: 8
    max: 24
    step: 1
    mode: slider
    unit_of_measurement: "px"
    icon: mdi:format-font-size-increase

input_boolean:
  lcars_sound:
    name: LCARS Sound
    icon: mdi:volume-high
  lcars_texture:
    name: LCARS Texture
    icon: mdi:texture

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.