JSR223 Scripting

Note

This feature is for users who have or are willing to learn some programming skills and are comfortable working with the command line prompt of the operating system hosting openHAB.

Overview

JSR223 (opens new window) (spec (opens new window)) is a standard scripting API for Java Virtual Machine (JVM) languages (opens new window). The JVM languages provide varying levels of support for the JSR223 API and interoperability with the Java runtime. Currently the following languages are known to work well for openHAB scripting: Apache Groovy (JVM scripting language), JavaScript/ECMA - 262 Edition 5.1, JavaScript/ECMAScript 262 Edition 11, Ruby, and Jython (opens new window) (Python 2.7 on the JVM).

Please note that JavaScript/ECMA - 262 Edition 5.1 which is referenced here is using an older engine called NashornJS. This version of JavaScript/ECMAScript is end of life and lacks many important features that have been added to the language since 2009. If you plan to use JavaScript/ECMAScript as your scripting language, it is recommended to use JavaScript/ECMAScript 262 Edition 11, also known as JS Scripting, which includes the latest ES6 language features, supports third party node libraries (please keep in mind that not all NodeJS APIs are available in GraalJS), and comes with a well documented helper library (openhab-js (opens new window)) that makes interaction with the APIs documented on this page (and more) much simpler and straight forward in plain JavaScript.

Although JSR223 scripts can be used as a general-purpose extension language for openHAB, it is most commonly used for the creation of rules, and within scripted Actions or Conditions. Currently, openHAB allows JSR223 scripting to access all packages, which may not be included in the official APIs. This provides great flexibility for the users of JSR223, but is also use at your own risk, since changes outside of the official APIs occur frequently, and are not considered to be breaking changes. New APIs are planned to be implemented in the future, which will provide standardized interfaces for interacting with openHAB through scripted automation.

Example rules for a first impression

'use strict';

scriptExtension.importPreset("RuleSupport");
scriptExtension.importPreset("RuleSimple");

var sRule = new SimpleRule() {
    execute: function( module, input) {
        print("This is a 'hello world!' from a JavaScript rule.");
    }
};

sRule.setTriggers([
    TriggerBuilder.create()
        .withId("aTimerTrigger")
        .withTypeUID("timer.GenericCronTrigger")
        .withConfiguration(
            new Configuration({
                "cronExpression": "0 * * * * ?"
            })).build()
    ]);

automationManager.addRule(sRule);

// Import openHAB Java API
Object.assign(this, require('@runtime'));
Object.assign(this, require('@runtime/RuleSimple'));
Object.assign(this, require('@runtime/RuleSupport'));

// Override non-working TriggerBuilder import
const TriggerBuilder = Java.type('org.openhab.core.automation.util.TriggerBuilder');

const sRule = new SimpleRule({
  execute: function(module, input) {
    print('This is a \'hello world!\' from a JavaScript rule.');
  }
});
sRule.setName('A JavaScript/ECMAScript 262 Edition 11')
sRule.setTriggers([
  TriggerBuilder.create()
    .withId('aTimerTrigger')
    .withTypeUID('timer.GenericCronTrigger')
    .withConfiguration(
      new Configuration({
        'cronExpression': '0 * * * * ?'
      }))
    .build()
]);

automationManager.addRule(sRule);

// And the same rule using the helper library:

const { rules, triggers } = require('openhab');

rules.JSRule({
    name: 'A JavaScript/ECMAScript 262 Edition 11',
    description: 'This is a JavaScript rule.',
    triggers: [
        triggers.GenericCronTrigger('0 * * * * ?')
    ],
    execute: (event) => {
        console.log('This is a \'hello world!\' from a JavaScript rule.');
    }
});

scriptExtension.importPreset("RuleSupport")
scriptExtension.importPreset("RuleSimple")

class myRule(SimpleRule):
    def execute(self, module, inputs):
        print "This is a 'hello world!' from Jython rule."

sRule = myRule()
sRule.setTriggers([
    TriggerBuilder.create()
        .withId("aTimerTrigger")
        .withTypeUID("timer.GenericCronTrigger")
        .withConfiguration(
            Configuration({
                "cronExpression": "0 * * * * ?"
            })).build()
    ])

automationManager.addRule(sRule)

import org.openhab.core.automation.*
import org.openhab.core.automation.module.script.rulesupport.shared.simple.*
import org.openhab.core.config.core.Configuration

scriptExtension.importPreset("RuleSupport")
scriptExtension.importPreset("RuleSimple")

def sRule = new SimpleRule() {
    Object execute(Action module, Map<String, ?> inputs) {
        println("Hello World from Groovy")
    }
}
sRule.setTriggers([
    TriggerBuilder.create()
        .withId("aTimerTrigger")
        .withTypeUID("timer.GenericCronTrigger")
        .withConfiguration(new Configuration([cronExpression: "0 * * * * ?"]))
        .build()
    ])

automationManager.addRule(sRule)

$scriptExtension.importPreset('RuleSupport')
$scriptExtension.importPreset('RuleSimple')

class MyRule < SimpleRule
  def execute(_mod, _inputs)
    logger = org.slf4j.LoggerFactory.getLogger('org.openhab.automation.example')
    logger.info('Hello World from JRuby')
  end
end

s_rule = MyRule.new
s_rule.set_triggers([
        TriggerBuilder.create
                      .with_id('aTimerTrigger')
                      .with_type_uid('timer.GenericCronTrigger')
                      .with_configuration(Configuration.new({ 'cronExpression' => '0 * * * * ?' }))
                      .build
    ])

$automationManager.add_rule(s_rule)

Script Locations

Scripts should be placed in the ${OPENHAB_CONF}/automation/jsr223/ directory. This directory will vary, based on the type of openHAB installation used (opens new window). For example, Linux installations created with a package installer will use /etc/openhab/automation/jsr223/, and manual installations will use /opt/openhab/conf/automation/jsr223/.

When openHAB starts, scripts are loaded at start level 40 by default (in no particular order). The start level for each script can be overridden by specifying a start level either in the filename (./my_script.sl50.py) or containing directory (./sl50/my_script.py). The runtime provides no explicit dependency mechanism or ordering, yet scripts are loaded one at a time so can be ordered via start level if desired. For example, with the following scripts and directory structure...

├── automation/jsr223
│   ├── dir1
│   │   ├── script_a.py
│   │   └── script_b.py
│   ├── script.sl38.py
│   ├── sl30
│   │   ├── script_x.py
│   │   └── script_y.py
│   └── script.py

... the load order will be: (sl30/script_x.py & sl30/script_y.py) at start level 30, script.sl38.py at start level 38, then (/dir1/script_a.py, /dir1/script_b.py, script.py) at start level 40. The script file watching mechanism itself is activated at start level 20, so scripts cannot be executed earlier than this.

Note that prior to openHAB 3, script ordering was performed alphanumerically based on file path. This is no longer supported as of openHAB 3 and later versions.

ScriptExtension Objects (all JSR223 languages)

To facilitate JSR223 scripting, several openHAB-related variables are automatically predefined within ScriptExtension presets. They can be loaded into the script context using scriptExtension.importPreset(String preset), e.g. scriptExtension.importPreset("RuleSimple"). The default preset is preloaded, so it does not require importing.

• Default
• RuleSimple
• RuleSupport
• RuleFactories

Default Preset (importPreset not required)

Variable	Description
State	org.openhab.core.types.State
Command	org.openhab.core.types.Command
URLEncoder	java.net.URLEncoder
File	java.io.File
Files	java.nio.file.Files
Path	java.nio.file.Path
Paths	java.nio.file.Paths
IncreaseDecreaseType	org.openhab.core.library.types.IncreaseDecreaseType
DECREASE	IncreaseDecreaseType enum item
INCREASE	IncreaseDecreaseType enum item
OnOffType	org.openhab.core.library.types.OnOffType
ON	OnOffType enum item
OFF	OnOffType enum item
OpenClosedType	org.openhab.core.library.types.OpenClosedType
OPEN	OpenClosedType enum item
CLOSED	OpenClosedType enum item
StopMoveType	org.openhab.core.library.types.StopMoveType
STOP	StopMoveType enum item
MOVE	StopMoveType enum item
UpDownType	org.openhab.core.library.types.UpDownType
UP	UpDownType enum item
DOWN	UpDownType enum item
UnDefType	org.openhab.core.library.types.UnDefType
NULL	UnDefType enum item
UNDEF	UnDefType enum item
RefreshType	org.openhab.core.library.types.RefreshType
REFRESH	RefreshType enum item
NextPreviousType	org.openhab.core.library.types.NextPreviousType
NEXT	NextPreviousType enum item
PREVIOUS	NextPreviousType enum item
PlayPauseType	org.openhab.core.library.types.PlayPauseType
PLAY	PlayPauseType enum item
PAUSE	PlayPauseType enum item
RewindFastforwardType	org.openhab.core.library.types.RewindFastforwardType
REWIND	RewindFastforwardType enum item
FASTFORWARD	RewindFastforwardType enum item
QuantityType	org.openhab.core.library.types.QuantityType
StringListType	org.openhab.core.library.types.StringListType
RawType	org.openhab.core.library.types.RawType
DateTimeType	org.openhab.core.library.types.DateTimeType
DecimalType	org.openhab.core.library.types.DecimalType
HSBType	org.openhab.core.library.types.HSBType
PercentType	org.openhab.core.library.types.PercentType
PointType	org.openhab.core.library.types.PointType
StringType	org.openhab.core.library.types.StringType
SIUnits	org.openhab.core.library.unit.SIUnits
ImperialUnits	org.openhab.core.library.unit.ImperialUnits
MetricPrefix	org.openhab.core.library.unit.MetricPrefix
Units	org.openhab.core.library.unit.Units
BinaryPrefix	org.openhab.core.library.unit.BinaryPrefix
items	Instance of java.util.Map<String, State>
ir	Alias for itemRegistry
itemRegistry	Instance of org.openhab.core.items.ItemRegistry
things	Instance of org.openhab.core.thing.ThingRegistry
rules	Instance of org.openhab.core.automation.RuleRegistry
events	(internal) Used to send events, post commands, etc. Details below]
actions	Instance of org.openhab.core.thing.binding.ThingActions
scriptExtension	(internal) For loading script presets.
se	Alias for scriptExtension

events operations

• events.postUpdate(String, String)
• events.postUpdate(Item, Number)
• events.postUpdate(Item, String)
• events.postUpdate(Item, State)
• events.sendCommand(String, String)
• events.sendCommand(Item, Number)
• events.sendCommand(Item, String)
• events.sendCommand(Item, Command)
• events.storeStates(Item...)
• events.restoreStates(Map<Item, State>)

RuleSimple Preset

These variables and classes are loaded using:

scriptExtension.importPreset("RuleSimple")

The primary usage of this preset is for defining rule (SimpleRule) subclasses. See language-specific documentation for examples.

Variable	Description
ActionType	org.openhab.core.automation.type.ActionType
ConfigDescriptionParameter	org.openhab.core.config.core.ConfigDescriptionParameter
ModuleType	org.openhab.core.automation.type.ModuleType
SimpleActionHandler	org.openhab.core.automation.module.script.rulesupport.shared.simple.SimpleActionHandler
SimpleConditionHandler	org.openhab.core.automation.module.script.rulesupport.shared.simple.SimpleConditionHandler
SimpleRule	Base class for Jython Rules org.openhab.core.automation.module.script.rulesupport.shared.simple.SimpleRule
SimpleTriggerHandler	org.openhab.core.automation.module.script.rulesupport.shared.simple.SimpleTriggerHandler
TriggerType	org.openhab.core.automation.type.TriggerType
Visibility	org.openhab.core.automation.Visibility enum

RuleSupport Preset

These variables and classes are loaded using:

scriptExtension.importPreset("RuleSupport")

Variable	Description
Action	org.openhab.core.automation.Action
ActionBuilder	org.openhab.core.automation.ActionBuilder
Condition	org.openhab.core.automation.Condition
ConditionBuilder	org.openhab.core.automation.ConditionBuilder
Configuration	org.openhab.core.config.core.Configuration
ModuleBuilder	org.openhab.core.automation.ModuleBuilder
Rule	org.openhab.core.automation.Rule (use SimpleRule for defining rules)
Trigger	org.openhab.core.automation.Trigger
TriggerBuilder	org.openhab.core.automation.TriggerBuilder
automationManager	Instance for managing rules and other openHAB module instances. (e.g., addRule)
ruleRegistry	org.openhab.core.automation.Rule

RuleFactories Preset

Note: Advanced usage

scriptExtension.importPreset("RuleFactories")

Variable	Description
ActionHandlerFactory	org.openhab.core.automation.module.script.rulesupport.shared.factories.ScriptedActionHandlerFactory
ConditionHandlerFactory	org.openhab.core.automation.module.script.rulesupport.shared.factories.ScriptedConditionHandlerFactory
TriggerHandlerFactory	org.openhab.core.automation.module.script.rulesupport.shared.factories.ScriptedTriggerHandlerFactory

cache Preset

The cache preset does not provide a default import and needs to be imported explicitly.

scriptExtension.importPreset("cache")

sharedCache.put("x", "y")

scriptExtension.importPreset("cache")

var valueX = sharedCache.get("x")

var { sharedCache, privateCache } = require('@runtime/cache')

sharedCache.remove("x")

sharedCache.put('foo', 'bar')
sharedCache.get('foo') // returns null if doesn't exist
shareCache.put('foo', null) // deletes the entry

scriptExtension.importPreset("cache")

# the preset is imported automatically by the helper library.
value_x = shared_cache[:x]
shared_cache.delete(:x)
shared_cache[:x] = "y"

It provides two different caches:

• sharedCache: This cache is shared over all languages and all scripts (file-based and UI). Usage of entries is tracked and entries will be removed if the last script that ever accessed an entry is removed.
• privateCache: This cache is private to a script engine, usually that means it is private to a script or rule, depending on the implementation of the scripting language. It is cleared when the script engine is unloaded (i.e. usually when the script is unloaded).

In both cases values that are either a ScheduledFuture<?> or a Timer are cancelled by calling .cancel() on the object if the object is removed automatically.

Both caches implement the ValueCache interface and therefore can be accessed by

• Object put(String key, Object value): Put a key/value pair to the cache. Returns old value if already set, otherwise null.
• Object remove(String key): Remove the key/value pair from the cache. Returns old value if already set, otherwise null.
• Object get(String key): Get the value for the given key from the cache. Non-existent keys return null.
• Object get(String key, Supplier<Object> supplier: Get the value for the given key. If no value is present, add the value that is return from the supplier.

TriggerType Objects (all JSR223 languages)

The following trigger types are defined by openHAB (custom triggers can also be defined) and take the specified configuration parameters. All parameters are Strings. Read the JSR223 language specific documentation for examples of using these TriggerType objects.

timer.DateTimeTrigger

Parameter	Description
itemName	The name of the Item

timer.GenericCronTrigger

Parameter	Description
cronExpression	The cron expression

timer.TimeOfDayTrigger

Parameter	Description
time	The time in "hh:mm" format

core.ItemCommandTrigger

Parameter	Description
itemName	The name of the Item
command	The Command (optional)

core.ItemStateUpdateTrigger

Parameter	Description
itemName	The name of the Item
state	The State (optional)

core.ItemStateChangeTrigger

Parameter	Description
itemName	The name of the Item
previousState	The previous State (optional)
state	The State (optional)

core.GroupCommandTrigger

Parameter	Description
groupName	The name of the GroupItem
command	The Command (optional)

core.GroupStateUpdateTrigger

Parameter	Description
groupName	The name of the GroupItem
state	The State (optional)

core.GroupStateChangeTrigger

Parameter	Description
groupName	The name of the GroupItem
previousState	The previous State (optional)
state	The State (optional)

core.ThingStatusUpdateTrigger

Parameter	Description
thingUID	The thingUID
status	The ThingStatus (optional)

core.ThingStatusChangeTrigger

Parameter	Description
thingUID	The thingUID
previousStatus	The previous ThingStatus (optional)
status	The ThingStatus (optional)

core.ChannelEventTrigger

Parameter	Description
channelUID	The ChannelUID of the Channel
event	The Channel trigger Event (optional)

core.GenericEventTrigger

Parameter	Description
topic	The topic to match, as a file-system style glob (*, **, ?, and {} operators). Example filters: Item events: "openhab/items/*/" Channel events: "openhab/channels/*/triggered" Thing events: "openhab/things/**"
source	The object that triggered the event, such as org.openhab.core.expire
types	ItemCommandEvent, ItemStateEvent, ItemStateChangedEvent, GroupItemStateChangedEvent, ItemAddedEvent, ItemRemovedEvent, ThingAddedEvent, ThingRemovedEvent, ThingStatusInfoChangedEvent, ThingStatusInfoEvent, ThingUpdatedEvent, etc. A non-exhaustive list can be found in the Javadocs (opens new window).
payload	Regex to match against the actual event data.

core.SystemStartlevelTrigger

Parameter	Description
startlevel	The system StartLevel

Caught a mistake or want to contribute to the documentation? Edit this page on GitHub (opens new window)