tuya-smart-control

Control Tuya smart home devices via natural language. Use when the user asks to control smart devices (turn on/off lights, AC, plugs, adjust brightness/temperature/mode), query device status or list devices, manage homes and rooms, rename devices, check weather by location, send notifications (SMS, voice call, email, or App push), view device data statistics (e.g. energy/power consumption), capture snapshots/short videos from IPC cameras, or subscribe to real-time device events (property changes, online/offline status) via WebSocket. Requires TUYA_API_KEY.

install
source · Clone the upstream repo
git clone https://github.com/tuya/tuya-openclaw-skills
Claude Code · Install into ~/.claude/skills/
T=$(mktemp -d) && git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/tuya/tuya-openclaw-skills "$T" && mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && cp -r "$T/tuya-smart-control" ~/.claude/skills/tuya-tuya-openclaw-skills-tuya-smart-control && rm -rf "$T"
OpenClaw · Install into ~/.openclaw/skills/
T=$(mktemp -d) && git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/tuya/tuya-openclaw-skills "$T" && mkdir -p ~/.openclaw/skills && cp -r "$T/tuya-smart-control" ~/.openclaw/skills/tuya-tuya-openclaw-skills-tuya-smart-control && rm -rf "$T"
manifest: tuya-smart-control/SKILL.md
source content

Tuya Smart Home Device Control Skill

Basic Information

  • Official Website: https://www.tuya.com/
  • Source Code: https://github.com/tuya/tuya-openclaw-skills
  • Authentication: Via Header
    Authorization: Bearer {Api-key}
  • Credentials: Read from environment variable
    TUYA_API_KEY
    . Base URL is auto-detected from API key prefix. See
    references/api-conventions.md
    for the prefix-to-region mapping table. You can override by setting
    TUYA_BASE_URL
    .
  • API Reference: See individual files under
    references/
  • Python SDK: See
    scripts/tuya_api.py
  • Device Message Client: See
    scripts/tuya_device_mq_client.py
    (real-time WebSocket subscription)

Environment Variable Configuration

Set the following environment variable before use:

export TUYA_API_KEY="your-tuya-api-key"
# TUYA_BASE_URL is optional — auto-detected from API key prefix
# Override only if needed: export TUYA_BASE_URL="https://openapi.tuyaus.com"

The same

TUYA_API_KEY
is used for both the REST API and WebSocket message subscription. The WebSocket URI is auto-detected from the API key prefix (same 7 data centers as the REST API). See
references/device-message.md
for the full mapping table.

The skill will not load if the

TUYA_API_KEY
environment variable is missing.

Usage

Always prefer Method 1 (Command Line) — single command, no boilerplate code. It handles authentication, URL resolution, JSON serialization, and error handling automatically.

Method 1: Via Command Line (Recommended)

python3 {baseDir}/scripts/tuya_api.py <command> [params...]
# Examples:
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/tuya_api.py homes
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/tuya_api.py devices
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/tuya_api.py devices --home 5053559
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/tuya_api.py devices --room 123456
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/tuya_api.py device_detail <device_id>
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/tuya_api.py model <device_id>
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/tuya_api.py control <device_id> '{"switch_led":true}'
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/tuya_api.py rename <device_id> "New Name"
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/tuya_api.py weather 39.90 116.40
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/tuya_api.py sms "Your message"
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/tuya_api.py voice "Your message"
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/tuya_api.py mail "Subject" "Content"
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/tuya_api.py push "Subject" "Content"
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/tuya_api.py stats_config
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/tuya_api.py stats_data <dev_id> <dp_code> <type> <start> <end>
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/tuya_api.py ipc_pic_fetch <device_id> <consent> [pic_count] [home_id]
python3 {baseDir}/scripts/tuya_api.py ipc_video_fetch <device_id> <duration> <consent> [home_id]

CLI validation rules:

  • devices
    supports only one scope flag at a time:
    --home <id>
    or
    --room <id>
  • control
    requires
    properties_json
    to be a valid JSON object (not array/string)
  • weather
    validates coordinate range: latitude
    [-90, 90]
    , longitude
    [-180, 180]
  • stats_data
    validates
    start
    /
    end
    format
    yyyyMMddHH
    and max 24-hour window
  • ipc_pic_fetch
    args:
    <device_id> <consent> [pic_count] [home_id]
    — consent
    1
    = decrypted URL
  • ipc_video_fetch
    args:
    <device_id> <duration> <consent> [home_id]
    — duration in seconds (1-60)
  • Use
    python3 {baseDir}/scripts/tuya_api.py --help
    for command help and examples

Method 2: Via Python SDK

Use when you need to chain multiple API calls or do complex logic in a single script:

import sys
sys.path.insert(0, "{baseDir}/scripts")
from tuya_api import TuyaAPI

api = TuyaAPI()

homes = api.get_homes()
devices = api.get_all_devices()
detail = api.get_device_detail("device_id_here")
result = api.issue_properties("device_id_here", {"switch_led": True, "bright_value": 500})
weather = api.get_weather(lat="39.90", lon="116.40")
# IPC cloud capture — take a snapshot and get decrypted URL
capture = api.ipc_ai_capture_pic_allocate_and_fetch("device_id_here", user_privacy_consent_accepted=True)

Method 3: Device Message Subscription (WebSocket)

Use when you need real-time device event monitoring (property changes, online/offline status):

import asyncio
import os
import sys
sys.path.insert(0, "{baseDir}/scripts")
from tuya_device_mq_client import TuyaDeviceMQClient

async def main():
    # Uses TUYA_API_KEY for auth; WebSocket URI auto-detected from key prefix
    client = TuyaDeviceMQClient(
        api_key=os.environ["TUYA_API_KEY"],
        device_ids=None,  # None = all devices; or pass a list of device IDs
    )

    @client.on_property_change
    async def on_prop(device_id, properties):
        for prop in properties:
            t = TuyaDeviceMQClient.format_timestamp(prop["time"])
            print(f"[{t}] Device {device_id}: {prop['code']} = {prop['value']}")

    @client.on_online_status
    async def on_status(device_id, status, timestamp_ms):
        t = TuyaDeviceMQClient.format_timestamp(timestamp_ms)
        print(f"[{t}] Device {device_id} is now {status}")

    await client.connect()

asyncio.run(main())

Important: The WebSocket client runs server-side only. It reuses the same

TUYA_API_KEY
— no separate credentials needed. The WebSocket URI is auto-detected from the key prefix (same 7 data centers as the REST API). Notification throttling (minimum 30-minute cooldown) is mandatory when triggering notifications from device events. See
references/device-message.md
for message format details and more examples.

Feature Overview

ModuleCapabilitiesReference
Home ManagementList all homes, list rooms in a home
references/home-and-space.md
Device QueryAll devices, devices by home/room, single device detail (including current property states)
references/device-query.md
Device ControlQuery device Thing Model, issue property commands
references/device-control.md
Device ManagementRename device
references/device-management.md
Weather ServiceCurrent and forecast weather
references/weather.md
NotificationsSMS, voice call, email, App push
references/notifications.md
Data StatisticsHourly statistics config query, statistics value query
references/statistics.md
IPC Cloud CaptureCloud snapshot and short video capture for IPC cameras
references/ipc-cloud-capture.md
Device Message SubscriptionReal-time WebSocket subscription for device property changes and online/offline events
references/device-message.md
Error HandlingError codes and recovery strategies
references/error-handling.md
API ConventionsRequest/response format, data center mapping
references/api-conventions.md

Core Workflows

Workflow 1: Device Control

When the user says things like "turn on the living room light" or "set the AC temperature to 26 degrees":

  1. Locate the device — Find the target device based on the device name or location mentioned by the user. Follow this priority:

    • Priority 1 — Room + category match: If the user mentions a room (e.g. "living room AC"), first query the home list → room list to match the room, then list devices in that room and match by
      category_name
      or device
      name
    • Priority 2 — Device name match: If the user only mentions a device name (e.g. "AC"), call "List All Devices" API and match by
      category_name
      first, then by device
      name
      fuzzy match
    • Priority 3 — Disambiguation: If multiple devices match, list all candidates with their room information and ask the user to choose
  2. Get current state — Call the "Get Single Device Detail" API

    • If
      result
      is
      null
      : the device does not exist or you have no permission — inform the user and stop
    • If
      online
      is
      false
      : the device is offline — tell the user "Device XX is currently offline, please check its power and network connection" and do not proceed further
    • Only continue when
      result
      is valid and
      online
      is
      true
    • The
      properties
      field contains current values of each functional property (e.g. switch state, brightness, temperature)
  3. Query capabilities — Call the "Query Device Thing Model" API to get the device's supported property list

    • Important: The
      result.model
      field is a JSON string that must be parsed again (e.g.
      json.loads(result["model"])
      ) to obtain the property definitions
    • Check each property's
      accessMode
      :
      • ro
        (read-only): cannot be controlled, only queried — inform the user "this property is read-only"
      • wr
        (write-only): can be controlled but current value cannot be read
      • rw
        (read-write): can be both controlled and queried
  4. Map the command — Map the user's intent to Thing Model properties:

    • Turn on/off → find a bool-type switch property (e.g.
      switch_led
      ,
      switch
      )
    • Adjust brightness → find a value-type brightness property
    • Adjust temperature → find a value-type temp property
    • If the device does not support the requested function, inform the user and list supported functions
    • Relative adjustments — When the user says "a bit brighter", "lower the temperature by 2 degrees", etc.:
      1. Read the current value from
        properties
        in the device detail (Step 2)
      2. Read
        min
        ,
        max
        ,
        step
        from the Thing Model
        typeSpec
        (Step 3)
      3. Calculate the target value:
        • Vague ("a bit", "a little") → current value ± (max - min) × 10%
        • Specific ("by 2 degrees", "by 100") → current value ± the specified amount
      4. Clamp the target value within [min, max] and round to the nearest
        step
    • Validate value range: Before issuing, confirm the target value is within the
      typeSpec
      min/max range
  5. Issue the command — Call the "Issue Properties" API using the Python SDK:

    api.issue_properties(device_id, {property_code: value})

    • The SDK handles
      properties
      JSON string serialization automatically
    • If not using the SDK: the
      properties
      field must be a JSON string, not a JSON object. You must double-serialize:
      {"properties": "{\"switch_led\":true}"}
  6. Verify and return result — After issuing the command:

    • Wait 1-2 seconds, then call "Get Device Detail" again to read the updated
      properties
    • Compare the target value with the actual value to confirm execution
    • If values match: inform the user the operation succeeded
    • If values differ: tell the user "command sent, but the device state has not updated yet — there may be a delay"

Workflow 2: Rename Device

  1. Locate the device using Workflow 1 Step 1 to obtain the device_id
  2. Call the "Rename Device" API with the new name
  3. Return the result

Workflow 3: Notifications

  1. Identify the message type: SMS / Voice / Email / App Push
  2. Extract required parameters (message content; email and push also need a subject)
  3. Call the corresponding API (all notification APIs are self-send — messages can only be sent to the current logged-in user)
  4. Return the send result

Workflow 4: Weather Query

  1. Obtain coordinates:
    • First call Home List API and check the
      latitude
      /
      longitude
      fields
    • Note: the coordinate format is
      {"Value": "30.3"}
      — you must extract the
      .Value
      field (e.g.
      home["latitude"]["Value"]
      )
    • If the home has no location set, ask the user for their city and convert to coordinates (see common city coordinates in
      references/weather.md
      )
  2. Determine which weather attributes to query (default: temperature, humidity, weather condition)
  3. Call the weather query API
  4. Translate the returned data into a human-readable description

Workflow 5: Data Statistics

  1. Locate the device (same as Workflow 1 Step 1)
  2. Call the "Statistics Config Query" API to confirm whether the device has the corresponding statistics capability
  3. If available, call the "Statistics Value Query" API
    • Time inference: Convert the user's natural language to
      yyyyMMddHH
      format:
      • "today" → start = today 00:00, end = current hour
      • "yesterday" → start = yesterday 00:00, end = yesterday 23:00
      • The time range cannot exceed 24 hours per request — for longer ranges, make multiple requests and aggregate
      • Format example:
        2024010100
        = January 1, 2024 00:00
  4. Aggregate and return the results

Workflow 6: Device Status Query

When the user asks "Is the living room light on?" or "What's the AC set to?":

  1. Locate the device and get current state (same as Workflow 1 Steps 1-2; stop if device not found or offline)
  2. Read
    properties
    values, cross-reference with the Thing Model property names/descriptions, and translate to natural language (e.g.
    "switch_led": true
    → "the light is currently on")

Workflow 7: Multi-Device Batch Control

When the user says "Turn off all lights" or "Set all ACs to 26 degrees":

  1. Call "List All Devices" API and filter matching devices by
    category_name
    or device
    name
    keyword
  2. For each matching device: check
    online
    status (skip offline devices and note them), then execute Workflow 1 Steps 3-6
  3. Aggregate results: report how many devices succeeded, which ones failed or were offline
  4. Add a brief delay (0.5-1s) between requests to avoid rate limiting

Workflow 8: IPC Cloud Capture

When the user asks to "take a photo with the camera" or "record a short video from the camera":

  1. Locate the IPC device — same as Workflow 1 Step 1, filter by camera category
  2. Determine capture type:
    • Snapshot →
      PIC
      (optional
      pic_count
      , 1-5)
    • Short video →
      VIDEO
      (optional
      video_duration_seconds
      , 1-60, default 10)
  3. Privacy consent — Only set
    user_privacy_consent_accepted=true
    when the user has explicitly agreed to receive decrypted playable URLs. Default to
    true
    unless the user declines
  4. Execute capture — Use the all-in-one helper methods:
    • For PIC:
      api.ipc_ai_capture_pic_allocate_and_fetch(device_id, user_privacy_consent_accepted=True, pic_count=1)
    • For VIDEO:
      api.ipc_ai_capture_video_allocate_and_fetch(device_id, video_duration_seconds=5, user_privacy_consent_accepted=True)
    • These methods handle the full allocate → wait → poll → retry flow automatically
  5. Return the result — Extract the URL from the resolve result:
    • PIC with consent:
      resolve["decrypt_image_url"]
    • VIDEO with consent:
      resolve["decrypt_video_url"]
      (cover image may be null if still uploading)
    • If
      status
      is still
      NOT_READY
      after all retries, inform the user that the device may be slow to upload and suggest trying again later

Workflow 9: IPC Visual Recognition

When the user asks "What's in front of my camera?", "Is there anyone at the door?", or "Describe what the camera sees":

  1. Capture a snapshot — Follow Workflow 8 Steps 1-4 to take a PIC capture with
    user_privacy_consent_accepted=True
  2. Get the image URL — Extract
    resolve["decrypt_image_url"]
    from the capture result. If the resolve failed or returned
    NOT_READY
    , inform the user and stop
  3. Download the image — Fetch the image content from the decrypted URL
  4. Send to AI vision model — Pass the image to the AI large model for visual understanding. Describe the image content in natural language based on the user's question:
    • General question ("What's there?") → describe the overall scene, objects, and people
    • Specific question ("Is there a package?", "Is anyone at the door?") → focus on answering the specific question
  5. Return the description — Respond to the user with the visual analysis result in conversational language

Workflow 10: Real-Time Device Monitoring

When the user asks to "monitor device changes in real time", "watch for property updates", or "notify me when a device goes offline":

  1. Determine scope — Ask which devices to monitor (all or specific device IDs). If specific, locate devices using Workflow 1 Step 1
  2. Determine event types — Property changes (
    on_property_change
    ), online/offline status (
    on_online_status
    ), or both
  3. Write the subscription script — Using
    TuyaDeviceMQClient
    from
    scripts/tuya_device_mq_client.py
    :
    • Import and instantiate with
      api_key=os.environ["TUYA_API_KEY"]
      (WebSocket URI auto-detected from key prefix)
    • Register appropriate handlers using decorators
    • Call
      await client.connect()
      to start listening
  4. Apply throttling — If the subscription triggers notifications or device control actions, implement a cooldown mechanism (minimum 30-minute interval for notifications)
  5. Cross-reference with REST API — Property codes from WebSocket events correspond to Thing Model codes. Use
    api.get_device_model(device_id)
    to look up property names and value ranges when needed

Workflow 11: Event-Driven Automation

When the user asks to "turn on the hallway light when the door opens" or "send me a notification when the AC turns off":

  1. Identify trigger and action — Parse the trigger device, trigger condition (property code + value), and the action to execute
  2. Locate devices — Use Workflow 1 Step 1 to find both the trigger device and the action device
  3. Write the automation script — Combine
    TuyaDeviceMQClient
    for event listening with
    TuyaAPI
    for device control:
    • Subscribe to the trigger device's property changes
    • When the trigger condition is met, call
      api.issue_properties()
      to control the action device
    • Implement notification throttling (30-minute cooldown) if sending notifications
  4. Verify — Confirm the trigger condition and action mapping with the user before running

Important Notes

  1. Device name matching uses fuzzy matching; when multiple results are found, ask the user to confirm
  2. The statistics API time format is
    yyyyMMddHH
    , and the time range cannot exceed 24 hours per request
  3. All four notification APIs are self-send only — messages can only be sent to the currently logged-in user
  4. The weather query requires latitude and longitude; if unavailable from the Home API, ask for the user's city
  5. Base URL is auto-detected from API key prefix. See
    references/api-conventions.md
    for details
  6. If you encounter issues, visit https://github.com/tuya/tuya-openclaw-skills for announcements and troubleshooting
  7. Never log or display the
    TUYA_API_KEY
    value in output
  8. CLI exits with code
    2
    for usage/validation errors, and
    1
    for runtime/API/network errors

Supported and Unsupported Operations

Supported Property Types for Control

Only basic data type properties are currently supported for device control:

TypeDescriptionExample
boolBoolean on/offTurn light on/off, turn AC on/off, turn plug on/off
enumEnumeration selectionSwitch AC mode (auto/cold/hot), set fan speed (low/mid/high)
value (Integer)Numeric valueAdjust brightness (0-1000), set temperature (16-30)
stringString valueSet device display text

Unsupported Operations

The following operations involve sensitive actions or complex data types and are NOT supported:

  • Lock control — Unlock doors, lock/unlock smart locks (security-sensitive)
  • Live video streaming — Pull real-time video streams or view camera live footage (cloud snapshot/short video capture IS supported — see Workflow 8)
  • Image operations — Retrieve or push images from/to devices
  • Complex data type control — Properties with
    raw
    ,
    bitmap
    ,
    struct
    , or
    array
    typeSpec are not supported for issuing commands
  • Firmware upgrades — OTA firmware update operations
  • Device pairing/removal — Adding new devices or removing existing devices

If the user requests any of these unsupported operations, clearly inform them that the operation is not available through this skill and suggest using the Tuya App directly.

Data Egress Statement

This skill sends data to the Tuya Open Platform:

Data TypeSent ToPurposeRequired
Api-keyUser-configured base_urlAPI authenticationRequired
Device IDUser-configured base_urlDevice query and controlRequired
Control commandsUser-configured base_urlDevice property issuanceRequired
Api-keyAuto-detected WebSocket URIReal-time event subscription authenticationRequired for message subscription