HomeBar for Homey Pro

Product Introduction

1. Definition: HomeBar for Homey Pro is a native macOS menu bar application designed as a smart home control hub specifically for users of the Athom Homey Pro or Homey Pro Mini platforms. It integrates directly with the Homey REST API to provide real-time device management and automation control.
2. Core Value Proposition: HomeBar eliminates the friction of accessing smart home controls by placing instant device control, flow triggering, and real-time energy monitoring directly in the macOS menu bar. It solves the problem of context switching for users who rely on phones or browsers for basic smart home interactions, offering one-click access to their entire Homey ecosystem.

Main Features

1. Unified Device Control: HomeBar displays all Homey-managed devices (lights, blinds, thermostats, switches) grouped by Homey room/zone organization. Controls appear as interactive toggles, sliders, or buttons within dropdown menus. Utilizes WebSocket connections for sub-second state synchronization. Supports every Homey device class via the Homey API.
2. Flow Triggering: Enables single-click execution of Homey Flows (automations/scenes) directly from the menu bar. This includes complex routines like "Movie Mode" or "Good Night." Relies on secure OAuth 2.0 authentication to send POST requests to the Homey Flow API endpoint.
3. Real-Time Energy Monitoring: Provides per-device energy consumption tracking with live wattage and kilowatt-hour (kWh) data pulled from Homey's energy reports API. Displays usage directly in the menu bar dropdown, enabling immediate energy usage insights without opening the Homey app.
4. Presence & Insights Management: Shows real-time presence status of users tracked by Homey. Aggregates and displays key Homey Insights data (sensor histories, usage patterns, trends) within the app interface, sourced from Homey's Insights API.
5. Quick Homey Web Access: Includes a direct shortcut to launch the Homey Pro web interface in the default browser for advanced configuration, leveraging macOS NSWorkspace for URL handling.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point: Disruptive workflow interruption caused by needing to unlock a phone, find an app, or switch browser tabs for simple smart home actions like turning off a light or adjusting a thermostat.
2. Target Audience: Homey Pro/Power Users (tech-savvy homeowners investing in robust smart home systems), macOS Professionals (designers, developers, remote workers using Macs as primary devices), Efficiency-Focused Individuals seeking minimal-interaction home control.
3. Use Cases: Turning off lights during a video call without minimizing windows; adjusting blinds while working in full-screen apps; triggering "Leaving Home" flow when closing a MacBook; monitoring device energy spikes during work hours; quickly checking if family members are home.

Unique Advantages

1. Differentiation: Unlike browser-based Homey control or mobile apps, HomeBar offers persistent, system-level access without app switching. It provides deeper per-device energy data visibility than Homey's standard UI. Competitors lack this specific macOS-native, menu-bar-integrated approach for Homey Pro.
2. Key Innovation: Its native macOS menu bar integration (using Swift/SwiftUI and AppKit) provides near-zero latency control. The efficient API polling strategy (combining WebSockets for state changes and REST for periodic updates) ensures real-time data with minimal battery/CPU impact on macOS Sonoma+.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Does HomeBar work with Homey Cloud (non-Pro) devices?
   No, HomeBar requires a Homey Pro or Homey Pro Mini hub due to its reliance on the local Homey Pro REST API and local network access. It is incompatible with the cloud-only Homey platform.
2. Is macOS Sonoma (14+) mandatory for HomeBar?
   Yes, HomeBar utilizes macOS Sonoma's SwiftUI MenuBarExtra API for its persistent menu bar integration and system features. It is technically incompatible with macOS Ventura (13.x) or earlier versions.
3. How does HomeBar ensure secure access to my Homey Pro?
   HomeBar uses OAuth 2.0 authentication directly with your Homey Pro hub. Credentials are stored securely in the macOS Keychain. No user data is transmitted to external servers; all communication occurs locally between your Mac and Homey Pro.
4. Can I control Zigbee or Z-Wave devices directly with HomeBar?
   HomeBar controls devices through your Homey Pro hub only. It interfaces with devices managed by Homey's Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, or Matter radios via the Homey API, but does not connect to devices directly.
5. What happens after the free trial period ends?
   The free version allows limited daily interactions. A one-time $12.99 purchase unlocks unlimited device control, flow triggers, and energy monitoring permanently. No subscription is required.