---
layout: page
title: "Configuring Home Assistant"
description: "Configuring Home Assistant."
date: 2015-03-23 12:50
sidebar: false
comments: false
sharing: true
footer: true
---

The configuration for Home Assistant lives by default in the `config` folder. The file `configuration.yaml` is the main file that contains which components will be loaded and what their configuration is. An example configuration file is located at [`config/configuration.yaml.example`](https://github.com/balloob/home-assistant/blob/master/config/configuration.yaml.example).

When launched for the first time, Home Assistant will write a default configuration enabling the web interface and device discovery. It can take up to a minute for your devices to be discovered and show up in the interface.

<p class='note'>
  You will have to restart Home Assistant for changes in <code>configuration.yaml</code> to take effect.
</p>

### Setting up the basic info

By default Home Assistant will try to detect your location and will automatically select a temperature unit and time zone based on your location. You can overwrite this by adding the following information to your `configuration.yaml`:

```yaml
homeassistant:
  # Omitted values in this section will be auto detected using freegeoip.net

  # Location required to calculate the time the sun rises and sets
  latitude: 32.87336
  longitude: 117.22743

  # C for Celsius, F for Fahrenheit
  temperature_unit: C

  # Pick yours from here:
  # http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tz_database_time_zones
  time_zone: America/Los_Angeles

  # Name of the location where Home Assistant is running
  name: Home
```

### Password protecting the web interface

The first thing you want to add is a password for the web interface. Use your favourite text editor to open the file `/config/configuration.yaml` and add the following to the bottom:

```
http:
  api_password: YOUR_PASSWORD
```

### {% linkable_title Adding devices and services %}

Home Assistant will be able to automatically discover and configure any Google Chromecasts, Belkin WeMo switches and Philips Hue bridges in your network if you have [the discovery component]({{site_root}}/components/discovery.html) enabled (which is by default).

Not all devices can be discovered, so if you have any of the following devices or services, please see their respective pages for installation instructions:

 * [Nest thermostat]({{site_root}}/components/thermostat.html)
 * [Wink hub]({{site_root}}/components/wink.html)
 * [TellStick](/components/tellstick.html)
 * [PushBullet]({{site_root}}/components/notify.html)
 * [PushOver](/blog/2015/03/22/release-notes/#pushover)
 * [SABnzbd](/blog/2015/03/22/release-notes/#sabnzbd)
 * [Device tracking]({{site_root}}/components/device_tracker.html)
 * [Add support for your own device or service]({{site_root}}/developers/add_new_platform.html)

See the [components overview page](/components/) for a complete list of supported devices.

### {% linkable_title Setting up Home Automation %}

When all your devices are set up it's time to put the cherry on the pie: automation. There are many ways to automate your home with Home Assistant so we have divided it into a couple of topics:

 * [Automatic light control based on the sun and if people are home]({{site_root}}/components/device_sun_light_trigger.html) (built-in component)
 * [Intruder alerts]({{site_root}}/components/simple_alarm.html) (built-in component)
 * [Setup your own automation rules]({{site_root}}/components/automation.html) (using configuration file)
 * [Create your own automation component]({{site_root}}/developers/creating_components.html) (writing Python code)

### {% linkable_title Setting up your phone or tablet %}

Home Assistant runs as a self hosted web application. Home Assistant contains support to be added to your homescreen. If you're on Android you can follow [the visual guide]({{site_root}}/getting-started/android.html). For other devices, open Home Assistant on your mobile browser and click on the add to homescreen option.