Editing Introduction to a Self Managed Life: a 13 hour & 28 minute presentation by FUTO software (section)

== Step 2: Start and Configure Home Assistant ==

<span id="start-the-virtual-machine"></span>
==== 2.1 Start the Virtual Machine ====

* In '''Virtual Machine Manager''', locate your Home Assistant virtual machine and start the VM.
* Wait for the machine to boot up fully.

<span id="identify-the-ip-address"></span>
==== 2.2 Identify the IP Address ====

* Once the virtual machine has finished booting, check the console within '''Virtual Machine Manager'''. You will see an IP address displayed (e.g., 192.168.5.16).
* We did not “install” this operating system like with the previous mailcow mailserver installation; we imported someone else’s installation. This means we do not have its IP address, nor were we given an opportunity to set up Home Assistant with a static IP yet. It is good to pay attention here so you see its IP address and know where to find it.
* When it says the URL is ''[http://homeassistant.local/ http://homeassistant.local]'':8123, this is wrong. It is assuming that our “domain” is <code>.local</code>. By default, '''pfSense''' sets this to <code>home.arpa</code>.
* If no IP address is displayed on the console, you can also check your DHCP server or router (like '''pfSense''') to find the IP assigned to the Home Assistant VM.

<span id="access-home-assistant-web-interface"></span>
==== 2.3 Access Home Assistant Web Interface ====

* Open a web browser on your local machine.
* In the address bar, type the following to access the Home Assistant web interface: <code>http://homeassistant.home.arpa:8123</code> (For example: <code>http://192.168.5.16:8123</code>).
* At the time of writing this guide, Home Assistant will only load on <code>http://</code> by default when first started, not <code>https://</code>, if you use their fully-fledged HaOS virtual machine image. Don’t worry, you didn’t break anything.

<span id="follow-on-screen-setup-instructions"></span>
==== 2.4 Follow On-Screen Setup Instructions ====

* It will tell you to wait up to 20 minutes to load.
* You will be greeted by the Home Assistant setup wizard. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
* Create a Home Assistant Account: Enter a username, password, and any additional information required.
* Configure Location &amp; Units: Choose your location and preferred units (imperial or metric).
* Add Devices and Services: Home Assistant will begin searching for devices on your network. Depending on your network configuration, devices may automatically be discovered. This is pretty cool. I like this.
* You don’t have to “trust” them, it’s open source so you can see what it is doing while probing. This is not probing to mess with or spy on you, it’s doing this to try to make your life easier… The thing technology was supposed to do for you.

<span id="complete-setup"></span>
==== 2.5 Complete Setup ====

* Once you’ve created your account and finished the basic configuration, Home Assistant will finalize the installation and setup. You are now ready to take back your air conditioner from the proprietary cloud.

<span id="step-3-configure-home-assistant-with-a-static-ip"></span>