New here? The short tour.
Practical automation, one or two posts a week — plus the honest ledger behind each build. Pick a starting point below and set up one useful automation today.
Pick your starting point
Start with the goal, not the tool. Each path below ends with something working.
You have 30 minutes and want one win
- Set up Alexa routines for morning and bedtime — no new gear required.
- 12 smart plug automation ideas — the cheapest useful device in the house.
- Google Home automations with Gemini — what beginners can set up now.
You want your mornings to run themselves
- Build a morning routine that runs your house for you — lights, coffee, news, and climate on a schedule.
You’re choosing a platform or buying gear
- Alexa vs Google Home vs Apple HomeKit — pick your ecosystem first.
- Best smart plugs for simple home automation — what actually matters when buying.
- Home Assistant vs SmartThings vs Hubitat — for when you outgrow the big three.
You run a business by yourself
- 15 workflow automations that save solopreneurs 5 hours a week — email, invoicing, follow-ups, and admin.
You want a system for your notes and ideas
- How to use Obsidian: a beginner’s guide to linked notes — daily notes and a simple second brain, no plugins required.
You’ve outgrown the basics
- 20 Home Assistant automations worth setting up first — local control, real examples you can copy.
How advanced is each post
Every post carries a level badge near the title, so you know what you’re signing up for before you scroll:
Starter · Level 1 of 3 — apps you already own, working today
Builder · Level 2 of 3 — connect tools and build routines across apps
Power-User · Level 3 of 3 — self-hosted, custom, local control
Start wherever matches your setup. Posts link up the ladder when a natural next step exists.
How posts work
Posts are practical guides across home automation, AI, gear, productivity, and no-code workflows. Each guide explains what to set up, what it costs, where it can fail, and what to check before relying on it. Claims are tied to primary documentation or clearly identified evidence.
If something didn’t earn its keep, the post says so. The graveyard is as useful as the wins.
Browse by category
- How to Build It — one automation end to end (home, AI, hardware).
- Life & Time Systems — habits that protect reclaimed time.
- Tools & Gear — apps and hardware, kept vs. abandoned, hours per dollar.
- Easy Wins — automation for beginners and the non-technical; the smallest no-code wins.
- Less, Automated — reflective beat + digital minimalism — notifications, app sprawl, AI that removes decisions.
The best way to follow along
One or two emails a week with the latest practical guides, important updates, and clear verdicts. No spam, no funnels. One-click unsubscribe anytime.