Computer Keyboard Key to Trigger Home Assistant Webhook

The Automation Explained

I was looking for a way to hit a key on my media PC keyboard that turns on my TV in my living room. Webhooks are an http endpoint that make communication between apps easy.

flowchart TB

	%% Hardware
	spearmint("Linux PC") 
	keyboard("keyboard")
	homea(Home Assistant)
	webhook("webhook")
	irblast("IR Blaster")
	tv("TV")

	%% network
	spearmint -. curl .-> webhook
	homea .-> irblast
	
	subgraph PC
		keyboard --> spearmint
	end

	subgraph Home Assistant
		webhook --> homea
	end
	
	subgraph Media Room
		irblast --> tv
	end

Home Assistant

I have a dumb TV that is only controlled by IR. If you have a smart TV, I'm sure you got it setup to turn on/off with your home assistant. If not, check out this RM4 mini to turn any IR controlled device into a smart one. This guide already assumes you have your TV is controlled by Home Assistant.

Create the Webhook

The HA docs show how to get started. I created my webhook directly in the HA UI as a new automation. Select webhook as an automation trigger.

Keep note of the WEBHOOK_ID. It should look something like this

http://HOMEASSISTANT_IP:8123/api/webhook/WEBHOOK_ID

Test the endpoint in a terminal command like so

curl -X POST -d 'key=value&key2=value2' http://HOMEASSISTANT_IP:8123/api/webhook/WEBHOOK_ID

PC Script

First thing is to create shell script on the PC. With a linux machine you can create a bash script that triggers the curl command

tv-onOff.sh

!#/bin/bash
curl -X POST -d 'key=value&key2=value2' http://HOMEASSISTANT_IP:8123/api/webhook/WEBHOOK_ID

Keyboard Shortcut

With my Linux Mint PC, I'm able to setup Custom Keyboard Shortcuts that trigger this tv-onOff.sh script.