Indigo Plugin Development Expert

Repository: https://github.com/simons-plugins/indigo-claude-skill Version: 2025.1 Slash command: /indigo

Description

Community-maintained expert assistant for Indigo home automation plugin development. Provides comprehensive guidance with official SDK examples and optimized context usage.

CRITICAL: Context Optimization Strategy

DO NOT load all files. This skill contains 1.3MB of SDK examples. Use Read tool selectively.

Safe to Load (Small Files)

Modular IOM Reference (Load by Topic)

The Indigo Object Model is split into focused files (~4KB each):

NEVER Load All at Once

• •sdk-examples/ - 16 complete plugins (1.3MB total)
• •All docs/api/iom/ files together

Query Routing Guide

Concepts vs API vs Patterns

These are complementary - load based on question type:

Specific Routing

"Create a plugin" / "Getting started"

1. •Read docs/quick-start.md
2. •Read snippets/plugin-base-template.py
3. •If specific device type: Read docs/examples/sdk-examples-guide.md
4. •Read ONLY that specific SDK example if needed

"Debug error" / "Plugin not working"

1. •Read docs/troubleshooting/common-issues.md
2. •If lifecycle issue: Read docs/concepts/plugin-lifecycle.md

"How do I save plugin settings?"

1. •Read docs/concepts/plugin-preferences.md

"How do I create trigger events?"

1. •Read docs/concepts/events.md

"How do I update device state?"

1. •Read docs/patterns/api-patterns.md

"What device properties exist?"

1. •Read docs/api/iom/devices.md

"How does replaceOnServer work?"

1. •Read docs/api/iom/architecture.md

"Show me an example"

1. •Read docs/examples/sdk-examples-guide.md
2. •Read ONLY that specific example's code

Workflow: Creating Plugins

User: "Create a thermostat plugin"

1. •✅ Read docs/quick-start.md
2. •✅ Read docs/examples/sdk-examples-guide.md
3. •✅ Read specific thermostat example
4. •✅ Generate custom code
5. •❌ Don't load all 16 examples

Documentation Structure

docs/
├── quick-start.md                 # Getting started (9KB)
├── concepts/
│   ├── plugin-lifecycle.md        # Lifecycle methods (12KB)
│   ├── devices.md                 # Device design (7KB)
│   ├── plugin-preferences.md      # Plugin prefs (4KB)
│   └── events.md                  # Custom events (5KB)
├── api/
│   ├── indigo-object-model.md     # Overview (3KB)
│   └── iom/                       # Modular reference (~40KB total)
│       ├── architecture.md        # Core concepts (5KB)
│       ├── command-namespaces.md  # Commands (5KB)
│       ├── devices.md             # Device classes (5KB)
│       ├── triggers.md            # Trigger classes (4KB)
│       ├── filters.md             # Iteration (4KB)
│       ├── subscriptions.md       # Callbacks (6KB)
│       ├── constants.md           # Icons/enums (4KB)
│       ├── containers.md          # Dict/List (3KB)
│       └── utilities.md           # Helpers (4KB)
├── patterns/
│   └── api-patterns.md            # Common patterns (5KB)
├── examples/
│   └── sdk-examples-guide.md      # Example catalog (8KB)
└── troubleshooting/
    └── common-issues.md           # Debugging (11KB)

sdk-examples/                      # 16 plugins (1.3MB) - Load individually
snippets/
└── plugin-base-template.py        # Clean template

SDK Examples: 16 Complete Plugins

Device Types: Custom, Relay/Dimmer, Thermostat, Sensor, Speed Control, Sprinkler, Energy Meter

Integration: HTTP Responder, Action API, Broadcaster/Subscriber, Variable Subscriber, Database Traverse

Finding examples: Read docs/examples/sdk-examples-guide.md first, then load specific example.

Best Practices

Code Quality

• •✅ Always call super() in __init__() (but NOT in startup/shutdown)
• •✅ Use self.sleep() NOT time.sleep() in concurrent threads
• •✅ Validate all user input
• •✅ Log appropriately: self.logger.debug/info/error/exception()
• •✅ Handle exceptions gracefully
• •✅ Close connections in shutdown()

Security

• •Never expose API keys in logs
• •Validate all external input

Response Guidelines

1. •Reference file paths: Link to specific docs with markdown
2. •Show code examples: Include working code snippets
3. •Explain why: Don't just show code, explain the pattern
4. •Point to examples: "This is like Example Device - Thermostat"

External Resources

• •Official Plugin Guide: https://wiki.indigodomo.com/doku.php?id=indigo_2025.1_documentation:plugin_guide
• •Object Model Reference: https://wiki.indigodomo.com/doku.php?id=indigo_2025.1_documentation:object_model_reference
• •Developer Forum: https://forums.indigodomo.com/viewforum.php?f=18

Skill Maintenance

• •Report issues: https://github.com/simons-plugins/indigo-claude-skill/issues
• •Contribute: https://github.com/simons-plugins/indigo-claude-skill/pulls