====== Automated Life: Master A Schedule with Total Launcher & Macrodroid Taxonomy ====== A very interesting project once the world of **taxonomy** is understood. Simplistically, it is * //A structured framework for naming and organizing information into a hierarchy to ensure everything is discoverable and easy to manage// A more fully rounded understanding can be reviewed in [[https://enterprise-knowledge.com/breaking-it-down-what-is-a-taxonomy/#|this article]] by Enterprise Knowledge (2022). Use this background to turn a device (phone, tablet, computer) from a simple list of reminders into a dynamic, categorized ecosystem. Total Launcher is the interface to display automation results. It does not have built-in automation capabilities. [[https://play.google.com/store/search?q=macrodroid&c=apps&hl=en_US|Macrodroid]], available on the Google Play Store, is the automation app that handles the hard work in Google Calendar. Total Launcher visually displays these results. The procedure is step-by-step, with "test trials" along the way to verify success. It offers one (1) taxonomy category: * Doctor visits But others can easily be replicated using the same steps, just varying the taxonomy keyword and message content ... such as * Podcast recording * Gardening activity Not every user may need these categories, but the procedure is a shell with new categories, notification keywords, and content injected to meet user needs. Enjoy! ===== Procedure: Google Calendar Widget in Total Launcher with Gesture + Macrodroid Integration (with Taxonomy) ===== **A. Create a Pop‑Up Calendar Window in Total Launcher** - Long‑press an empty area to enter Edit On mode - Tap ''+'' > ''Graphic'' > ''Image'' > ''Window'' to open the "Window Portrait" dialog - Tap ''+'' to begin adding a specific window: name it ''calendar_window''. Press OK. - Locate that item in the list and tap its action icon {{ui:ui-icon_action-v4.webp?25}} to open it in edit mode. - In the top menu row, tap the Edit icon {{ui:ui-icon_edit-v4.webp?25}} to open the window full screen. - In the lower right corner is the Options - Tap the center of the screen to reveal the Object Edit icon {{ui:ui-icon_object_edit-v4.webp?25}} to reveal the manual size and positioning dialog - To briefly resize the window, enter X as ''165''; Y as ''1050''; Width as ''695''; Height as ''800''. Press OK. - - These measures are a good start but will later allow for resizing the window by tap/drag, which is visually easier. Manual entry is for more refined adjustments. - The new window has been initially created with basic options. Swipe right-to-left to close it and return to the "Windows Portrait" dialog. Locate the window in the list, then tap its "name" to add it to the launcher screen. - What is viewed is the default window image within its boundaries. - To get acquainted with the window, tap outside of the boundaries to deselect it: - Tap the window image to open the window and note the initial resizing and position performed. - Tap/hold/drag the window center to move the window - Tap/hold the center of the window to reveal the Option icon {{ui:ui-icon_option-v4.webp?25}} in the lower right corner. Tap it to open the Option dialog shown ++here.|{{:ui:ui-window-option-dialog-v4.webp?direct&300}}++ - Full review of the dialog can be found at the [[section:section-windows_dialog|Windows Dialog Section]] of this wiki. This procedure will only deal with a limited number of options. - The background of the window may be visible due to the final sizing of the Google Calendar widget. Decide on the desired styling, be it a solid color, imagery, wallpaper blurring, etc. Here, a solid color is selected: - The **Background** option defaults to an off-white cloud. Here, a non-transparent yellow hue will be used. - Tap the "square" to the right of the Background text to open the Launcher's "Color Picker utility". - To set a custom color, tap the ''Custom'' button - In the "#" dialog enter ''FFFFD700'' recognized as "Gold" - Select OK to return to the Edit dialog - Back out (swipe right-to-left) to view the window now with its gold background. - Notice the window is selected (note that each boundary has a "handle" on the center edge). - If missing, tap the center of the window to select it. - Alternately, select the Edit icon {{ui:ui-icon_edit-v4.webp?25}} in the top menu bar. - Holding the center, move the window slightly. Now drag a selected "handle" to see how visual resizing is performed. - This can at times be tricky and require re-activating the window by tapping the default window icon and repeating the above. - The window is now positioned and open. **B. Now to add the Google Calendar widget inside the window.** - In the Page Design menu (top), tap ''+'' and select ''Graphic'' > ''Image'' > ''Application'' to open the Application dialog listing. Select ''Calendar'' (technically Google Calendar) to open a second dialog listing activities: - Launch app (select this) ☚ - New event - New task - Preference is to show the calendar event listing, which will scroll by day in the widget within the window - Resize the calendar widget //and// the window to meet design needs. - The window background (now 'gold') can be changed in the window option dialog. - The Calendar widget does have an Option dialog /style to match your Material theme. **C. Assign a Gesture to open the Calendar** - In ++Edit mode|{{:ui:ui-menu-edit_mode-v4.webp?direct&200}}++ select Launcher Options {{:ui:ui-menu-launcher_options-v4.webp?direct&35}} → Keys & Gestures. - The long dialog is shown ++here|Option Dialog 1 of 3\\ {{:ui:ui-gestures1-keys_gestures-v4.webp?direct&200}}Option Dialog 2 of 3\\ {{:ui:ui-gestures2-landscape-v4.webp?direct&200}}Option Dialog 3 of 3\\ {{:ui:ui-gestures3-other_advanced-v4.webp?direct&200}}++ in 3 images. Scroll down to the ''Gestures'' tab to select the desired gesture. In this exercise, ''Two-finger swipe up'' was selected. - As of now, this is how the Calendar window currently appears. ++Click here.|{{:howto:howto-window-calendar-image-v4.webp?direct&300}}++ **C.1 Hide the Window Icon** - Since a gesture now opens the Calendar widget in the window, there is no need for the window icon (default) to remain on the screen. The easiest method is to **D. Confirm Google Calendar sync on Android**.((To confirm Google Calendar sync:\\ ☛ Open the Google Calendar app.\\ • Tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner.\\ • Make sure the checkbox next to the Calendar to be used is actually checked.\\ • Look for Sync at the very top and make sure the toggle is turned ON.\\ - If a sync toggle is not visible, it means it is already enabled. Move to the next step.\\ ☛ Enable Android System Sync\\ • If the phone's master sync is turned off, Google Calendar won't update in the background.\\ • Open the phone's main Settings app.\\ • Scroll down and tap Passwords & accounts\\ • Ensure the master toggle called "Automatically sync data" is turned ON.\\ ☛ Tap the user Google Account.\\ • Tap Account sync.\\ - Find Calendar in the list and ensure the toggle next to it is turned ON.\\ ☛ Turn Off Battery Optimization (which may prevent syncing in the background)\\ • From the App Drawer, locate Calendar and long-press the icon. Tap the Info icon (a small "i" in a circle) and scroll to Battery or App battery usage. Ensure the setting is //not// optimized or restricted, but is unrestricted and will allow background usage. - It is recommended to create a test event for later testing. * Create a calendar event with the title ''Doctor test'' * Assign it a date/time for tomorrow. * If Maps navigation is to be used (see Step E.1), then * Scroll to "Add Location" and enter the geo-physical address and select it. * Save the calendar event. **E. Install and Set Up MacroDroid** - [[https://play.google.com/store/search?q=macrodroid&c=apps&hl=en_US|Macrodroid]] is to be installed if not currently on the device. - After installation, open MacroDroid and grant it requested permissions, ensuring notification and calendar permissions are granted, plus others, to receive the automation app's full benefit. - In the device's Android settings select ''Apps'' > ''MacroDroid'' > ''App battery usage'' > ''Allow background usage'' (unrestricted) - If prompted, enable any required Accessibility service fr MacroDroid. **F. Create MacroDroid macro for 'Doctor events'** - Select the ''Add Macro'' tile to open the "Triggers, Actions, Constraints" dialog - Tap the Triggers ''+'' - Tap the 3-dot menu in the upper right corner and uncheck ''Show Categories'' to reveal the full trigger list - Select ''Calendar Event'' to open the Calendar Options dialog - Select the radio button ''Event starts'' - If the Calendar has multiple calendars, select the Calendar to be used in this process. - Select Availability: leave it at the default ''Any'' - Event color: If the selected Calendar is to use event color shading for identification, do so here. - Title: ''Doctor'' - This completes the trigger (a calendar event starts and contains 'Doctor' in the title) - Tap ''OK'' to return to the "Triggers, Actions, Constraints" dialog - In the 3-dot menu, check the "Show categories" box - Scroll down to Notifications and tap and select ''Display Notifications'' to open its dialog - Title: ''Doctor Appointment'' - Notification Text: This varies by situation, but here will be used ''Make list for discussion'' - Tap ''OK'' and save **E.1 (Optional) Add the location to open Google Maps before the appointment time** - Still in the Doctor Event and its "Add Action" dialog, tap ''Application'' - Tap ''Open Website'' - In the URL field, enter %%https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=[calendar_location]%%, which will provide turn-by-turn navigation to the location, which will be set as a variable. (The location entered in the Calendar Event's "Add location" will be used with this variable in MacroDroid). - Tap "Add Action" > ''Variables'' > ''Set Variable'' > ''New Variable'' > ''OK'' - Local: select this since it is only used in this macro - Name: ''event_location'' - Variable Type: ''String'' - Tap ''OK'' - Tap the 3-dot box to enter the "Magic Text" - Scroll to ''Calendar location'' and select it. Tap ''OK''. - MacroDroid will insert the text %%{calendar_location}%% - Tap ''OK'' to save and return to the "Triggers, Actions, Constraints" dialog. - The first taxonomy has been created and associated with "Doctor" To get an immediate test of this notification, return to the Calendar Event and re-set the date/time to a few minutes from now. The notification should arrive shortly.