| |
Welcome to the Push2Run set up page.
In short, Push2Run needs
to be triggered to do things and this webpage explains how to do that.
There are
various options for triggering Push2Run, these include using:
|
an Amazon Alexa device, the
PC Commander skill and
Pushbullet. This set-up provides maximum
versatility as it supports the use variable expressions -
meaning you can say a phrase that doesn't need to be fully
pre-determined. For example, you could say "Alexa, tell my
computer to play 99 Red Balloons" (or any other song you like);
an Apple iPhone/iPad and either
Dropbox or
Pushbullet.
This set-ups also provides maximum versatility as it too supports the
use variable expressions. However, you need to
include a slight pause after the trigger phrase, for example you
could say "Siri, tell my computer to" (pause for a few seconds
and then say) "play 99 Red Balloons";
a Google
Device, or other service supported by
IFTTT,
and one or more of the following: Dropbox, Pushbullet and/or
Pushover. With these set-ups, you can say something
like "Ok Google, (trigger)
shutdown my computer". However, the things you say
will need to be specific, and configured as unique
IFTTT applets ahead of time;
MQTT. With this set up you can have
Push2Run control your computer based on a MQTT messages;
the Windows command line; and
the Push2Run application itself.
|
Detailed instructions for the various options above are
either linked to or written up further below.
|
Now, a few words about the use of
PCCommander, IFTTT, Dropbox, Pushbullet and/or Pushover in conjunction
Push2Run ...
All services are quite reliable and have many features going beyond those needed in support of Push2Run.
IFTTT offers both free and paid subscription plans; here is where
you can find more information about that:
https://ifttt.com/plans .
Also, at one point IFTTT was able to work with Google in such a way that
variable text was supported. Sadly, however this was
discontinued by Google in September 2022. The result of this is
where it once was that only one IFTTT applet was required for most,
if not all the needs of Push2Run, now one specific applet is need for
each specific action you would like Push2Run to take.
PC
Commander is an Alexa skill specifically designed to work hand in hand
with Pushbullet to trigger Push2Run. Using Alexa, PC Commander,
Pushbullet and Push2Run you can execute a wide range of tasks on your
Windows computer using simple voice commands. Whether you’re looking
to open applications, control media playback or manage system
settings, using PC Commander provides an excellent, user-friendly and
efficient way to enhance your home automation setup. PC commanders
offers 150 free uses a month, but also a paid subscription if you need
more.
Here
too is a recap of the Dropbox, Pushbullet and Pushover services, with some key differences as they relate to their use with Push2Run:
| Dropbox |
Pushbullet |
Pushover |
Free account limits
effectively unlimited in terms of using with Push2Run (only one very small file is temporarily created and used)
|
Free account limits
unlimited time; 500 pushes per month |
Free account limits
30 days; 25,000 pushes |
Paid account (*)
Not required for use with Push2Run but if you would like additional Dropbox space please see here
|
Paid account (*)
$4.99 US per month or
$39.99 US per year |
Paid account (*)
one time license of $4.99 US per platform; Push2Run only needs the Desktop platform |
Use with IFTTT and Push2Run
each IFTTT applet allows you to identify on exactly which computer(s) you want a particular IFTTT triggered command to run |
Use with IFTTT and Push2Run
each IFTTT applet allows you to identify on exactly which computer(s) you want a particular IFTTT triggered command to run |
Use with IFTTT and Push2Run
each IFTTT applet triggers one or all Pushover devices, so if you are running Push2Run on three or more computers you may not be able to tailor exactly which computers you want a particular IFTTT triggered command to run
|
Status reporting
There is no status at bottom of the main window or systray icon
|
Status reporting
Status at bottom of the main window and systray icon confirms when
the connection is active
|
Status reporting
Status at bottom of the main window and systray icon confirms when
the connection is active |
Misc. notes
Requires at least 7 seconds between commands.
Push2Run only monitors the one Dropbox folder (which you specify) and only interacts with one file (which you specify) in that folder.
|
Misc. notes
If you are using the free Pushbullet service and if you go beyond a month not using either Push2Run with Pushbullet, or Pushbullet separately, then Pushbullet may deactivate your free account in which case you may need to set up a new one. |
Misc. notes
Service may require re-authentication if you switch network services when Push2Run is running. For example, if you switch between using your regular network and a VPN the service may require re-authentication. |
Of note: Push2Run is funded solely by the donations of kind people such as yourself and advertisements on the Push2Run website (so if you're using an ad blocker please consider white-listing this site). IFTTT, Dropbox, Pushbullet, and Pushover do not provide commissions in support of Push2Run.
|
For further set up instructions please click on a link below for
triggering Push2Run with:
|
|
Misc. Notes:
A. For all Apple iPhone/iPad set ups:
Please also see 'Using
Everything' for optional intergration with the Everything
freeware file search utility.
B. For all set ups involving
IFTTT:
As of September 2020 it's is possible to set up Push2Run to use one, two or three of the Dropbox, Pushbullet and Pushover services in conjunction with IFTTT. However, for this you will require a subscription to IFTTT's Pro service.
IFTTT's Pro service provides for several advantages, but in particular for use with Push2Run it allows the triggering of more than one action.
The reason you might want to do this is for redundancy. For example, if one of Dropbox, Pushbullet or Pushover was down or responding slowly, triggered actions would still flow through the other two.
Push2Run has built in logic to ignore multiple triggered actions for the same thing. So, in short, Push2Run works the same with or without redundant services, however it is more reliable with redundant services enabled.
To set up an IFTTT Pro applet just follow the instructions above for setting up a Dropbox, Pushbullet, or Pushover applet. Once done, add either one or two of the other services as additional actions. Please refer to the
set up instructions above for the details on how to set up each service.
** currently there seems to be an issue with IFTTT and
Google such that newly entered IFTTT applets may not work
unless you go into the Google Home app on your phone and relink
the IFTTT service. To do this, when you are in your Google Home
app, tap on the '+' sign at the top right of the screen, tap on
'Set up device', tap on 'Works with Google', tap on 'IFTTT', tap
on Reconnect account', tap on 'Continue', after which time you
can leave the Google Home app. **
C. For all set ups
involving Google Assistant device:
In working
with my Google Assistant device and IFTTT, I found a way to say
"OK Google, do something" instead of "OK Google, activate do
something" and have it work.
If you would like to do
this too, then to get this to work go into the Google Home app
on your phone, tap the 'Routines' icon, tap the colourful '+'
sign in the bottom right of the screen, tap 'Add Starter', tap
'When I say to Google Assistant', enter phase you are working
with but do not include the word 'activate' - for example "open
the calculator" (without the quotes), tap 'Add starter', tap
'Add Action', tap 'Try adding your own', enter the same phase as
above but this time be sure to include the 'activate' at the
beginning of it - for example "activate open the calculator"
(without the quotes), tap 'Done'.
Of note, with the
above Google will not respond with a confirmation. If you would
like to also hear a confirmation, then tap on 'Add action', tap
on 'Communicate and announce', tap on the check box beside 'Make
an announcement, tap on the option 'Announce on the device that
started the routine', enter whatever you want in 'Your Message'
- for example "OK, opening the calculator", tap on the check
symbol at the top right of the screen, tap 'Save', tap 'Done'.
Tap 'Save', and leave the Google Home app.
After
that, I can say "OK Google, open the calculator" and it will
work.
|
|
Triggering with the Windows command line
Push2Run does not need any configuration to allow it to trigger actions from the command line.
To open the Windows command line, just press the [Windows] and [R] keys together at the same time, and enter:
cmd
So for example, out of the box, from the Windows Command line you can simply type:
"C:\Program Files\Push2Run\Push2Run" open the calculator
and it will work.
Triggering by using Push2Run itself
From within the Push2Run main
window, you can run any card by left clicking on it and pressing
F12 or by selecting 'Actions' - 'Run' from the main menu.
You can also run it by right clicking on it, and selecting 'Run'.
|