2026.6.3
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Send command

The Send command action sends a raw CEC command onto the HDMI-CEC bus. It gives you direct control for cases the other actions don’t cover, letting you craft a command from its source, destination, and command bytes, or pass a complete raw command string.

This is meant for situations where you know exactly which CEC command you need. If you just want to power devices on or off, switch inputs, or change volume, the other HDMI-CEC actions are easier to use.

Using this action from the user interface

If you prefer building automations and scripts visually, Home Assistant walks you through this action step by step. You pick what to target, tweak a few options, and save. No YAML knowledge required.

To send a raw CEC command from an automation or a script:

  1. Go to Settings > Automations & scenes.
  2. Open an existing automation or script, or select Create automation > Create new automation.
  3. If you’re setting up a new automation, add a trigger in the When section. Scripts don’t need a trigger. They run when something else calls them.
  4. In the Then do section, select Add action.
  5. From the search box, search for and select HDMI-CEC: Send command.
  6. Fill in the command fields you need, or provide a complete Raw command.
  7. Select Save.

This action does not support targets. In the UI, you are not prompted to choose an area, device, entity, or label.

Options in the UI

Source (Optional)

The source of the command. A decimal number or a string in hexadecimal notation, such as 0x10.
Destination (Optional)

The destination for the command. A decimal number or a string in hexadecimal notation, such as 0x10.
Command (Optional)

The command itself. A decimal number or a string in hexadecimal notation, such as 0x10.
Raw (Optional)

A complete raw CEC command in the format 00:00:00:00. When set, the other fields are ignored.
Att (Optional)

Optional extra parameters for the command.

Using this action in YAML

If you work directly in YAML, or you want to know exactly what Home Assistant does under the hood, this section has the technical reference. It lists the field names you use in YAML, their types, and which ones are required.

In YAML, refer to this action as hdmi_cec.send_command. A basic example looks like this:

ActionActions are used in several places in Home Assistant. As part of a script or automation, actions define what is going to happen once a trigger is activated. In scripts, an action is called *sequence*. [Learn more] 
action: hdmi_cec.send_command
data:
  raw: "1f:82:10:00"

This sends the raw CEC command onto the bus.

Options in YAML

src string

The source of the command. A decimal number or a string in hexadecimal notation, such as 0x10.

dst string

The destination for the command. A decimal number or a string in hexadecimal notation, such as 0x10.

cmd string

The command itself. A decimal number or a string in hexadecimal notation, such as 0x10.

raw string

A complete raw CEC command in the format 00:00:00:00, where the first two digits are source and destination, the second byte is the command, and any further bytes are command parameters. When set, the other fields are ignored.

att map

Optional extra parameters for the command.

Good to know

  • A raw command in the format 00:00:00:00 packs the source and destination into the first byte, the command into the second byte, and any parameters into the bytes that follow. When you provide a Raw command, the separate source, destination, and command fields are ignored.
  • To work out the right command bytes, the CEC-o-matic tool is a helpful reference.

Try it yourself

Ready to test this? Open Developer tools > Actions, search for this action, fill in the fields, and select Perform action. You see what happens on your actual entitiesAn entity represents a sensor, actor, or function in Home Assistant. Entities are used to monitor physical properties or to control other entities. An entity is usually part of a device or a service. [Learn more] without writing a line of YAML.

More examples

Real scenarios where this action shows up in automations and scripts. Copy any example and adapt it to your setup.

Tip

You don’t need to edit YAML to use these examples. Copy a YAML snippet from this page, open the automation editor in Home Assistant, and press Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V on Mac). Home Assistant automatically converts the pasted YAML into the visual editor format, whether it’s a full automation, a single trigger, a condition, or an action.

Still stuck?

The Home Assistant community is quick to help: join Discord for real-time chat, post on the community forum with the action you’re calling and what you expected to happen, or share on our subreddit /r/homeassistant.

Tip

AI assistants like ChatGPT or Claude can also explain actions or suggest the right one when you describe what you want in plain language.

Related actions

These actions work well alongside this one:

  • Power on: Powers on all devices on the HDMI-CEC bus that support this function.

  • Standby: Puts all devices on the HDMI-CEC bus that support this function into standby.

  • Select device: Makes an HDMI-CEC device the active source.

  • Update: Updates the state of HDMI-CEC devices from the bus.

  • Volume: Changes the volume or mute state of the HDMI-CEC audio system.