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Build a Macro (Scene)

Goal: create a reusable sequence of actions — a "Movie Time" scene, an "All Off", a "Good Morning" — that you can run from a button, a schedule, or a trigger.

A macro is the building block of all GEM automation. A scene is just a macro whose steps set several zones to a desired state.

Before you start​

  • You're logged in as an administrator.
  • The devices and zones you want to control are commissioned (see Commission a Device).

1. Create the macro​

  1. Open Macros and click Add.

    Open Macros

  2. Fill in the properties:

    • Name — internal identifier, lowercase_with_underscores (e.g. movie_time).
    • Label — the display name people see (e.g. "Movie Time").
    • Subsystem — the logical category; affects where the macro appears in UIs.
    • Timeout (ms) — optional cap so a stuck macro can't run forever.

  3. Set the Elevated flag deliberately:

    New macros default to Elevated = on

    An elevated macro can only be run by users with an elevated role. For a user-facing scene or UI button, turn Elevated off. Keep it on for macros that arm security, unlock doors, or run privileged scripts. Server-side triggers and schedules run the macro regardless of this flag.

  4. Save.

2. Add steps​

Open the macro's Edit Steps action to build the sequence.

  • The most common step is a command — it targets a device or zone and sends an action (on, off, open, set_level) with any parameters (such as a brightness level).
  • Steps run in order. Add a step per action: e.g. dim the lights, lower the shades, turn on the receiver, select the input.
  • GEM offers other step types for delays, conditions, and calling other macros. See Macros in the Admin Reference for the full step catalog.
Build scenes from current state

Set the room the way you want it by hand first, then add steps that reproduce that state — it's faster than guessing levels.

3. Test it​

Use the macro's Run action to execute it immediately and confirm every device responds as intended. Adjust steps and re-run until the scene is right.

Use the macro​

Once it works, you can:

  • Macros in the Admin Reference — every property and step type.
  • Find References (a macro row action) shows everywhere a macro is used before you change or delete it.