Getting Started
Hungry Machines optimizes your home’s energy use without you having to think about it. Most people will be up and running in under 10 minutes through Home Assistant. More advanced users can build their own integrations or custom apps against our API. Pick whichever path matches you.
Step 1 — Create your Hungry Machines account
Section titled “Step 1 — Create your Hungry Machines account”This step is the same for everyone. Go to hungrymachines.io/signup and sign up. Confirm your email when the verification message arrives. The email and password you set there are what you’ll use everywhere — Home Assistant, the website dashboard, your own apps.
Step 2 — Choose your path
Section titled “Step 2 — Choose your path” Energy Dashboard (recommended) One-click HACS install for Home Assistant. Sign in with your Hungry Machines account, the dashboard handles everything else.
Custom Home Assistant integration You're a Home Assistant user who wants to build your own dashboard cards, automations, or REST sensors against the Hungry Machines API.
Custom client app No Home Assistant — you're integrating from a Python script, mobile app, ESP32, or another platform. Talk to the API directly.
Which path is right for me?
Section titled “Which path is right for me?”| You are… | Best path |
|---|---|
| A homeowner with Home Assistant who wants to start saving fast | Energy Dashboard |
| A Home Assistant power user who wants to extend or replace the default UI | Custom HA integration |
| A developer building a non-HA tool — mobile app, embedded device, custom hub | Custom client app |
| Just curious about the API surface | API Reference |
All three paths use the same Hungry Machines account, the same API, and the same optimizer. The differences are how much of the integration work you do yourself.
Next steps
Section titled “Next steps”- Path 1: Install the Energy Dashboard
- Path 2: Build a custom Home Assistant integration
- Path 3: Build your own client
- Reference: Authentication — token retrieval, refresh, 401 handling (only needed for Path 2 and Path 3)