# Question for node virtual-smart-home

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/question-for-node-virtual-smart-home/38053>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [26 December 2020 22:01 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/question-for-node-virtual-smart-home/38053 "2020-12-26T22:01:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kanke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a698b9/32.png) [@kanke](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/kanke)\
**Post date:** [26 December 2020 22:01 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/question-for-node-virtual-smart-home/38053/1 "2020-12-26T22:01:22Z")

</div>

Just found this great node:

> [@\[ANNOUNCE\] node-red-contrib-virtual-smart-home for Alexa](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/announce-node-red-contrib-virtual-smart-home-for-alexa/34353):
>
> Virtual Smart Home I know there are already some Alexa nodes available for Node-RED, but the ones I tried did not proof to be reliable or convenient enough. Hence I went all in and created [virtual smart home](https://flows.nodered.org/node/node-red-contrib-virtual-smart-home), which consists of a Node-RED module and a corresponding [Alexa skill](https://skills-store.amazon.com/deeplink/dp/B08JV9RT7H?deviceType=app&share&refSuffix=ss_copy) that leverages the AWS IoT cloud as a super reliable and scalable backbone. What is it for? Let's say you have built some fancy automations with Node-RED, for instance a plant watering system, a smart plug, a light or even…

I am able to set it up and create virtual devices. If I understood correctly, I need to setup service to do the actual action (turn on/off, set color etc) based on the output of this node, right?

Thanks for the great work.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![lius](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/lius/32/12679_2.png) [@lius](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/lius)\
**Post date:** [27 December 2020 08:47 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/question-for-node-virtual-smart-home/38053/2 "2020-12-27T08:47:13Z")

</div>

Hi there! Yes, that's the idea. The vsh node comes handy if you want to control devices that do not provide Alexa support out of the box, e.g. GPIO controlled things, Z-Wave actors etc. You can also use it to trigger scenes or actions. For example I have a virtual switch configured which Alexa "switches on" when I say "Alexa, I'm leaving". This triggers a flow in my Node-RED to switch off all lights, arm the alarm system and lock the door once I close it behind me.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kanke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a698b9/32.png) [@kanke](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/kanke)\
**Post date:** [27 December 2020 17:43 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/question-for-node-virtual-smart-home/38053/3 "2020-12-27T17:43:39Z")

</div>

Perfect, thanks!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/1X/d073cd938eafa2e558d7c2cd59003b3ef4963033.png) [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [10 January 2021 17:43 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/question-for-node-virtual-smart-home/38053/4 "2021-01-10T17:43:52Z")

</div>

This topic was automatically closed 14 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.