Reload Python scripts

The Reload action reloads all Python scripts from the <config>/python_scripts folder. It is a quicker alternative to restarting Home Assistant.

Use this after you add a new Python script, or after you update the <config>/python_scripts/services.yaml file. You don’t need to reload when you change an existing Python script, because the latest version runs each time the script is called.

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 reload your Python scripts 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 Python Scripts: Reload.
6. 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

This action has no additional options in the UI.

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 python_script.reload. It takes no options:

action: python_script.reload

This reloads all Python scripts from the <config>/python_scripts folder.

Options in YAML

This action has no options.

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.

Script: reload Python scripts on demand

While working on your Python scripts, run a script that reloads them so a newly added script or an updated services.yaml file becomes available right away.

• Action: Python Scripts: Reload

reload_python_scripts:
  alias: "Reload Python scripts"
  sequence:
    - action: python_script.reload

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.