Reload Home Assistant YAML configuration. USE WHEN user edits YAML files OR wants to apply config changes OR asks to reload automations/scripts/scenes. Uses ha-reload for hot reload, ha core restart only when necessary.
Intelligently reload Home Assistant configuration after YAML changes.
| Command | Use When | Downtime |
|---|---|---|
ha-reload | YAML changes to automations, scripts, scenes, groups, inputs, templates, zones, themes | None (instant) |
ha core restart | New integrations, logger/recorder/http changes, database settings | 30+ seconds |
After editing YAML files:
Validate first:
yamllint <file>
ha core check
Apply changes:
ha-reload
Only use restart if ha-reload doesn't pick up changes (new integrations, etc.):
ha core restart
automation: - automationsscript: - scriptsscene: - scenesgroup: - groupsinput_boolean:, input_number:, input_select:, input_text:, input_datetime: - input helperstemplate: - template sensors/binary sensorstimer:, counter: - timers and countersschedule: - scheduleszone: - zonesperson: - personshomeassistant: - core config (name, location, customize)Example 1: After editing automations.yaml
User: "I updated automations.yaml, apply the changes"
→ Run: ha-reload
→ Result: Automations reloaded instantly, no restart needed
Example 2: After adding a new integration
User: "I added mqtt: to configuration.yaml"
→ Run: ha core restart
→ Result: Full restart required for new integrations
Example 3: After editing multiple YAML files
User: "Apply my config changes"
→ Run: yamllint /homeassistant/*.yaml
→ Run: ha-reload
→ Result: All hot-reloadable configs applied