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--- venus-os:large [2025-11-27 12:16] – [5.9 Node-RED Dashboard] dfaber
+++ venus-os:large [2026-04-15 21:51] (current) – [5.9 Node-RED Dashboard] dfaber
@@ Line 242: / Line 242: @@
 Virtual devices are ideal for integrating third-party or DIY equipment:
+  * **Virtual switch** – an IoT switch running Tasmota can be exposed in the GX New UI switch pane, and controlled in automation flows based on conditions such as battery state of charge.
   * **Virtual meteo** – weather data from an unsupported or custom weather system with an API can be injected into a virtual meteo device. The data (e.g. wind speed, temperature, humidity) then becomes visible to the GX and in VRM.
   * **Virtual grid meter** – calculated grid import/export values can be published to the GX device, allowing systems without a supported grid meter to present grid data.
@@ Line 259: / Line 260: @@
   * **Tank sensor**
   * **Temperature sensor**
+As separate Virtual Switch node is provided for the virtual switch feature.
+=== Virtual Switches ===
+Virtual Switches are a special class of virtual devices:
+  * They appear in the **Switch pane** of the **New UI** in Venus OS.
+  * They can be controlled like a real digital switch — toggled on/off, queried from the GX, and automated via Node-RED flows.
+  * Their state is stored on the GX device and can survive reboots.
+  * They are useful for integrating third-party automation logic, external hardware, or remote control scenarios without requiring a physical relay.
 === Setup ===
@@ Line 268: / Line 279: @@
 ==== 5.9 Node-RED Dashboard ====
-Besides the flow and automation functionally, Node-RED also offers a fully customisable dashboard. Including graphs, indicators as well as controls such as switches and sliders.
-It is viewable in a web browser - both locally as well as remote, via the VRM Servers. See chapter 7 for how to see it remotely.
+Besides the flow and automation functionality, Node-RED also supports fully customisable dashboards, including graphs, gauges, indicators and controls such as switches and sliders.
+The dashboard is viewable in a web browser - both locally and remotely via VRM. See chapter 7 for remote access.
+**Recommended: FlowFuse Dashboard 2.0**
+Install [[https://flows.nodered.org/node/@flowfuse/node-red-dashboard|@flowfuse/node-red-dashboard]] via the Manage Palette menu (right side of the editor). This is the current, actively maintained dashboard package. The older ''node-red-dashboard'' package is deprecated and should no longer be used.
+Once installed, the dashboard nodes appear in the palette on the left. After configuring and deploying a dashboard, an extra tile appears in the Venus OS Large menu on VRM to access it remotely.
+Example dashboard:
-The [[https://flows.nodered.org/node/@flowfuse/node-red-dashboard|dashboard]] needs to be installed, just like other extra palettes, using the Manage Palette feature, on the right of the screen in the menus. Note that the dashboard package is called @flowfuse/node-red-dashboard (Dashboard 2.0), which is the successor to the deprecated node-red-dashboard package.
+{{:venus-os:vrm_node_red_ui_step_3.png?600|VRM Node-RED UI - Step 3}}
-Once that is done, you can find the nodes in the palettes on the left. Once the dashboard has been configured and deployed, an extra tile will appear in the //Venus OS Large// menu on VRM, allowing to connect to the dashboard via VRM.
+**Alternative: uibuilder**
-Example dashboard:
+For users comfortable with HTML, CSS and JavaScript, [[https://flows.nodered.org/node/node-red-contrib-uibuilder|node-red-contrib-uibuilder]] is a powerful alternative that gives full control over the frontend. It does not provide ready-made widgets - you build the UI yourself using any web framework you prefer. This makes it more flexible but significantly more complex than Dashboard 2.0.
-{{ :venus-os:vrm_node_red_ui_step_3.png?direct&600 |VRM Node-RED UI - Step 3}}
 ==== 5.10 Configuration files ====