# Making something actually happen with switches

**URL:** <https://community.openhab.org/t/making-something-actually-happen-with-switches/69510>\
**Category:** Scripts & Rules\
**Created:** [March 5, 2019, 8:27pm UTC](https://community.openhab.org/t/making-something-actually-happen-with-switches/69510 "2019-03-05T20:27:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![lewdog](https://community.openhab.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/l/b3f665/32.png) [@lewdog](https://community.openhab.org/u/lewdog)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2019, 8:27pm UTC](https://community.openhab.org/t/making-something-actually-happen-with-switches/69510/1 "2019-03-05T20:27:29Z")

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Ok, I understand this is a _noob_ question and is probably easily searchable but I cant figure out what to search, believe me, I have been working on this install for like 2 months.

I have a new working config on a PI with one installed tasmota switch controlling a light (working). I also have a working zibbee wall switch. The problem is I can not figure out how to have the zigbee switch control the light. Is it linking? Is it a rule? Is it an action? What do I link? The zigbbe switch to the tasmota switch? The zigbee switch to mqtt? Do I link the item to the thing or a thing to a thing…

Just point me in the right direction and I can learn. Thanks

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**Author:** ![lipp\_markus](https://community.openhab.org/user_avatar/community.openhab.org/lipp_markus/32/56218_2.png) [@lipp\_markus](https://community.openhab.org/u/lipp_markus)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2019, 8:47pm UTC](https://community.openhab.org/t/making-something-actually-happen-with-switches/69510/2 "2019-03-05T20:47:07Z")

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Let me start here: the more info you give, the better the answer will be, for future reference, this may be helpful: [How to ask a good question / Help Us Help You](https://community.openhab.org/t/how-to-ask-a-good-question-help-us-help-you/58396)

Ok off to your question. In principle openHAB works like this:  
device \<=\> binding \<=\> thing (and via channel) \<=\> item  
There are several section in the docs ([Introduction | openHAB](https://www.openhab.org/docs/)) that explain all of that.

The scheme above works for zigbee and for mqtt; you can then connect the events (state changes) happen to one item to a second (or more) items by using rules ([Textual Rules | openHAB](https://www.openhab.org/docs/configuration/rules-dsl.html)).

Going by your question, you may want to start reading from the beginnings in the docs: [Introduction | openHAB](https://www.openhab.org/docs/) to get really familiar with all concepts as there are many nuances and additional features; to get an overview will be critical and you will only frustrate yourself when you try take shortcuts. In any case, make sure that you fully understand both ends: zigbee and mqtt. If you got them working already, great, then you can focus on rules and understanding the event-driven nature of openHAB and how to read and set states of items.