Getting Started with Boolean Toolbox

Create your first logic device in under 5 minutes

What You'll Build

In this guide, you'll create a simple motion-activated light that only works when it's dark outside.

IF (Motion Detected) AND (Dark Outside)
THEN Turn On Lights

Add Your First Device

1. Open Homey app → Navigate to Devices
2. Tap Add Device → Select Boolean Toolbox
3. Choose device type:
- Logic Device - Recommended for beginners (visual setup, single formula)
- Logic Unit - For advanced users (JSON config, multiple formulas)
4. Give it a descriptive name like "Motion Light Controller"

💡 Tip

Start with Logic Device if you're new to Boolean Toolbox. It has a visual pairing wizard that makes setup easier.

Configure Your Inputs

For our example, we need two inputs:

Input A: Motion Sensor

Browse to your motion sensor → Select alarm_motion capability

Input B: Lux Sensor

Browse to your light sensor → Select measure_luminance capability

💡 Tip

Don't have a lux sensor? Use a virtual device or connect to weather data. You can also start with just motion detection!

Write Your First Formula

Go to device settings and configure the formula:

[
  {
    "id": "motion_and_dark",
    "name": "Motion & Dark",
    "expression": "A AND B",
    "enabled": true,
    "timeout": 60,
    "firstImpression": false
  }
]

Understanding the Formula

id: Unique identifier for this formula
name: Human-readable name
expression: The boolean logic (A AND B means both must be true)
enabled: Formula is active
timeout: Wait max 60 seconds for all inputs
firstImpression: Don't lock inputs at first value

⚡ Quick Start

For motion only (without lux sensor), use: "expression": "A"

Test Your Logic

Use the Boolean Logic Emulator to verify your expression works correctly:

🧪 Open Boolean Logic Emulator

Testing Checklist

✅ Test with A=true, B=true (should be TRUE)
✅ Test with A=true, B=false (should be FALSE)
✅ Test with A=false, B=true (should be FALSE)
✅ Test with A=false, B=false (should be FALSE)

Create Your First Flow

Now connect your logic device to actual actions:

WHEN

Formula [motion_and_dark] changed to TRUE

AND

(no conditions needed)

THEN

Turn on [Living Room Lights]

💡 Pro Tip

Create a second flow that turns lights OFF when the formula changes to FALSE. This creates automatic lighting control!

Common Logic Patterns

Simple Motion Detection

"expression": "A"

Light turns on when motion detected

Motion AND Dark

"expression": "A AND B"

Light only turns on when motion detected AND it's dark

Any Sensor Triggered

"expression": "A OR B OR C"

Alert if ANY of multiple sensors trigger

Home AND Night (with NOT)

"expression": "A AND NOT B"

Someone home (A) but NOT daytime (B) = Night mode

Complex Condition

"expression": "(A OR B) AND C AND NOT D"

(Motion OR Door) AND Dark AND NOT Away Mode

Available Operators

Operator	Alternative	Description	Example
`AND`	`&`	Both must be true	`A AND B`
`OR`	`\|`	At least one must be true	`A OR B`
`XOR`	`^`	Exactly one must be true	`A XOR B`
`NOT`	`!`	Inverts the value	`NOT A`