# Flows from hour to hour. Why not? How to be able to do it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Flows\ **Tags:** homey-pro\ **Created:** [December 1, 2023, 4:41pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/flows-from-hour-to-hour-why-not-how-to-be-able-to-do-it/96475 "2023-12-01T16:41:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Leclettico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Leclettico](https://community.homey.app/u/Leclettico)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 4:41pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/flows-from-hour-to-hour-why-not-how-to-be-able-to-do-it/96475/1 "2023-12-01T16:41:21Z")
Hi, Homey Pro here. I have not been able to find anything effective in the community, but how is it possible that in Homey’s Flows there is no starting condition that takes into account a time period of, say, 5 PM to 7 PM? Or, “starting at 5 PM…” How can I accomplish this? I tried to download the Chronograph app but there are no instructions and it talks about Pick and Tag. It is not clear at all. I don’t know how to indicate seconds, hours, in the Flows. ![IMG_1188](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/f/c/fc4d8fd99a3d5afa4894887ef4141f7eb8a10235.png) Can you help me? Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Kawa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/peter_kawa/32/173848_2.png) [@Peter\_Kawa](https://community.homey.app/u/Peter_Kawa)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 5:45pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/flows-from-hour-to-hour-why-not-how-to-be-able-to-do-it/96475/2 "2023-12-01T17:45:21Z")
The 2nd line below the example card pic is the instruction? Most apps have a dedicated topic with more info and howto’s. Those links are to be found at the bottom of the app store app pages. But I think you need this neat app: > **[Action Scheduler | Homey](https://homey.app/en-us/app/fi.oh2th.alarmutils/Action-Scheduler/)** > > Dynamic flow scheduling Howto > [@\[APP\]\[Pro\] Action Scheduler](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-action-scheduler/75592): > > Contribute If you enjoy what I do, consider supporting me on [Ko-fi](https://ko-fi.com/oh2th) or [Paypal](https://paypal.com/oh2th)! Every little bit means the world! [[ko-fi]](https://ko-fi.com/oh2th)[[paypal-donate]](https://paypal.me/oh2th) Introduction Dynamic flow scheduling with a Scheduler device configurable from flows. App Featuresplay_button Flow cards: And - Conditions Device Features Device: Cron Timeplay_button Adding a new deviceplay_button Capabilitiesplay_button Flow cards: When - Triggersplay_button Flow cards: And - Conditionsplay_button Flow cards: Then - Actions Device: Schedulerplay_button Adding a new … ---
**Author:** ![Leclettico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Leclettico](https://community.homey.app/u/Leclettico)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 6:29pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/flows-from-hour-to-hour-why-not-how-to-be-able-to-do-it/96475/3 "2023-12-01T18:29:08Z")
So kind, Peter! No, the instruction are here, and basically are not instructions. > **[Chronograph](https://homey.app/it-it/app/nl.fellownet.chronograph/Chronograph/)** > > Adds precise timer, stopwatch and transition functionality to Homey. My image explain the only way to use Chronograph, via Flows, because it’s impossibile to add “Chronograph devices”. I see that Action Scheduler has the same complexity. I have to add a device with a Scheduler at a certain time (not period of time) and for certain days, to use it later in Flows. But in Flows the dark way of running things returns. I don’t know what the tags refer to if I can only indicate minutes, and are “minutes before scheduled time”. Why these limitations? ![IMG_D2159D2F5ABA-1](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/a/c/ac787bb4e403d98bcda110dca1423e05b5122ba2.png) Why does the smarthome have to be so complicated? **I just need to create an automation to say that from 5 PM to 7 PM the Fibaro motion sensor should send me a push notification on my phone if it detects someone**. (thanks, Peter) ---
**Author:** ![Caseda](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/caseda/32/138695_2.png) [@Caseda](https://community.homey.app/u/Caseda)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 6:36pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/flows-from-hour-to-hour-why-not-how-to-be-able-to-do-it/96475/4 "2023-12-01T18:36:22Z")
Homey’s triggers work on an actual state changes, like “[IF] it turns 5 o’clock” or “[IF] a light turns on”. And between 5 and 7 PM is a _condition_ (so AND). So your thinking is the other way around then you should: [IF] motion activates; [AND] it is between 5 and 7 pm; (build in Time card, no apps needed) [THEN] send notification; ![screenie](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/4/3/43787728c4acc7277d4c909f4ca644072666e12a.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Leclettico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Leclettico](https://community.homey.app/u/Leclettico)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2023, 7:27pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/flows-from-hour-to-hour-why-not-how-to-be-able-to-do-it/96475/5 "2023-12-01T19:27:40Z")
THIS! IT’S WORKING! Thx @Caseda ! (A reflection in the margin) I understand that low-power sensors need to manage their energy resources and thus they are the ones to command triggers, **but why can’t the UI be “turned around” to obviate these needs**? If I pointed to the time condition first, Flow would not work. With your system it does. But I don’t “need to know how a technology works”; **I just need to be able to use it.** So why doesn’t Homey’s app (and other smart home ecosystems, let’s be clear) make sure **it uses its tools following a less engineering logic**? Thx again. So appreciated. ☀ ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Kawa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/peter_kawa/32/173848_2.png) [@Peter\_Kawa](https://community.homey.app/u/Peter_Kawa)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2023, 2:24am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/flows-from-hour-to-hour-why-not-how-to-be-able-to-do-it/96475/6 "2023-12-02T02:24:27Z")
Hi Leclettico, you’re welcome, > [@Leclettico](#): > > I just need to create an automation to say that from 5 PM to 7 PM the Fibaro motion sensor should send me a push notification on my phone if it detects someone. Now that’s a clear description to work with (to me) 😉 On the subject on how Homey flows can/should be designed: yes, it has it’s quirks and we have to ‘get’ how it works best. If you want it changed, you should contact Athom, the forum users here can’t change it 😬 There is no system you can manage 100% right away without a little RTFM in my opinion. Cheers and have fun with Homey ---
**Author:** ![Rrrr](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/rrrr/32/629_2.png) [@Rrrr](https://community.homey.app/u/Rrrr)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 7:26am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/flows-from-hour-to-hour-why-not-how-to-be-able-to-do-it/96475/7 "2023-12-16T07:26:21Z")
@Leclettico You are being funny! I disagree with your comments about Homey and there are no quirks here. You can literally do what you said, so why blame it on engineering? Here’s what you wanted: **5 PM to 7 PM the Fibaro motion sensor should send me a push notification on my phone if it detects someone**. Here’s what you need to put into a flow: IF it detects someone AND it’s between 5-7PM THEN send notification. It is literally what you want. I know that every beginning is hard but I’d prefer you do your learning in a more positive way. It’ll go faster. ---
**Author:** ![Leclettico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Leclettico](https://community.homey.app/u/Leclettico)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 7:54am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/flows-from-hour-to-hour-why-not-how-to-be-able-to-do-it/96475/8 "2023-12-16T07:54:21Z")
@Rrrr thanks for sharing your opinion. I’m still on mine. 🖖 ---
**Author:** ![Rrrr](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/rrrr/32/629_2.png) [@Rrrr](https://community.homey.app/u/Rrrr)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 8:12am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/flows-from-hour-to-hour-why-not-how-to-be-able-to-do-it/96475/9 "2023-12-16T08:12:26Z")
Obviously then learning is not your best part. If you need help with the amazing app Chronograph let us know… ---
**Author:** ![Leclettico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Leclettico](https://community.homey.app/u/Leclettico)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2023, 1:02pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/flows-from-hour-to-hour-why-not-how-to-be-able-to-do-it/96475/10 "2023-12-16T13:02:15Z")
Sure! ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Nye](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/steve_nye/32/123396_2.png) [@Steve\_Nye](https://community.homey.app/u/Steve_Nye)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 6:32pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/flows-from-hour-to-hour-why-not-how-to-be-able-to-do-it/96475/11 "2026-01-09T18:32:03Z")
Do you have an example flow using either the timer or stopwatch as I am struggling to get m y head around how to best use it? ---
**Author:** ![Rrrr](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/rrrr/32/629_2.png) [@Rrrr](https://community.homey.app/u/Rrrr)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 8:04pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/flows-from-hour-to-hour-why-not-how-to-be-able-to-do-it/96475/12 "2026-01-09T20:04:05Z")
Hi @Steve_Nye In the above request/ example there’s no need for either timer or stopwatch. The solution was almost complete in this post: > [@Flows from hour to hour. Why not? How to be able to do it?](https://community.homey.app/t/flows-from-hour-to-hour-why-not-how-to-be-able-to-do-it/96475/4): > > Homey’s triggers work on an actual state changes, like “[IF] it turns 5 o’clock” or “[IF] a light turns on”. And between 5 and 7 PM is a condition (so AND). So your thinking is the other way around then you should: [IF] motion activates; [AND] it is between 5 and 7 pm; (build in Time card, no apps needed) [THEN] send notification; [screenie] Instead of the Start card, you can use the IF sensor motion card or IF zone motion card. If you want generic help with a stopwatch or timer, there are many posts about it. What are you trying to solve? ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Nye](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/steve_nye/32/123396_2.png) [@Steve\_Nye](https://community.homey.app/u/Steve_Nye)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2026, 9:18pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/flows-from-hour-to-hour-why-not-how-to-be-able-to-do-it/96475/13 "2026-01-09T21:18:14Z")
I want to sequence and if possible randomise away lighting routines which I can then cancel when I come home. So I started a stopwatch, my next card tested if it had got to a duration expecting it to then go true when it did but it just went to false. So I tried the duration test as a WHEN and that didn’t work. So I was just after some examples to align my thought process. A lot of ten examples are not in English so I am struggle to work out what they are doing. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Kawa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/peter_kawa/32/173848_2.png) [@Peter\_Kawa](https://community.homey.app/u/Peter_Kawa)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 4:41am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/flows-from-hour-to-hour-why-not-how-to-be-able-to-do-it/96475/14 "2026-01-10T04:41:30Z")
FWIW you can translate screenshots and pictures of flows with the Android google lens app. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Nye](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/steve_nye/32/123396_2.png) [@Steve\_Nye](https://community.homey.app/u/Steve_Nye)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2026, 8:15pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/flows-from-hour-to-hour-why-not-how-to-be-able-to-do-it/96475/15 "2026-01-10T20:15:41Z")
Thanks I forgot that, Google translate, which is what I normally use didn’t work but I did find that the Google App on IOS does work, thanks to your suggestion . Steve ---
**Author:** ![Rrrr](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/rrrr/32/629_2.png) [@Rrrr](https://community.homey.app/u/Rrrr)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2026, 4:00pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/flows-from-hour-to-hour-why-not-how-to-be-able-to-do-it/96475/16 "2026-01-13T16:00:46Z")
@Steve_Nye > [@Steve\_Nye](#): > > Do you have an example flow using either the timer or stopwatch as I am struggling to get m y head around how to best use it? Here’s an example with a timer which only runs when needed. It looks perhaps a little complicated because it has some virtual devices (Device Capabilities). I prefer those over having physical devices for easy maintenance. I mainly work with zones for the same reason. Hope this helps. ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/3/a/3a5466a913ba8be4dcb00249641134f7d08604f5.jpeg) ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/1/0/100e5461e032ce3a2f2f9a37aef12e059aa18cbf.png) ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_Nye](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/steve_nye/32/123396_2.png) [@Steve\_Nye](https://community.homey.app/u/Steve_Nye)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/flows-from-hour-to-hour-why-not-how-to-be-able-to-do-it/96475/17 "2026-01-14T16:12:35Z")
Very useful thank you.