diff --git a/esphomeyaml/automation.py b/esphomeyaml/automation.py
index 8250008829..d094b9f59f 100644
--- a/esphomeyaml/automation.py
+++ b/esphomeyaml/automation.py
@@ -125,6 +125,9 @@ def validate_automation(extra_schema=None, extra_validators=None, single=False):
                 # First try as a sequence of actions
                 return [schema({CONF_THEN: value})]
             except vol.Invalid as err:
+                if err.path and err.path[0] == CONF_THEN:
+                    err.path.pop(0)
+
                 # Next try as a sequence of automations
                 try:
                     return vol.Schema([schema])(value)
diff --git a/esphomeyaml/components/binary_sensor/template.py b/esphomeyaml/components/binary_sensor/template.py
index b0beda0f01..e025eea1ed 100644
--- a/esphomeyaml/components/binary_sensor/template.py
+++ b/esphomeyaml/components/binary_sensor/template.py
@@ -1,15 +1,18 @@
 import voluptuous as vol
 
+from esphomeyaml.automation import ACTION_REGISTRY
 from esphomeyaml.components import binary_sensor
 import esphomeyaml.config_validation as cv
-from esphomeyaml.const import CONF_ID, CONF_LAMBDA, CONF_NAME
-from esphomeyaml.cpp_generator import Pvariable, add, process_lambda
+from esphomeyaml.const import CONF_ID, CONF_LAMBDA, CONF_NAME, CONF_STATE
+from esphomeyaml.cpp_generator import Pvariable, add, get_variable, process_lambda, templatable
 from esphomeyaml.cpp_helpers import setup_component
-from esphomeyaml.cpp_types import App, Component, bool_, optional
+from esphomeyaml.cpp_types import Action, App, Component, bool_, optional
 
 TemplateBinarySensor = binary_sensor.binary_sensor_ns.class_('TemplateBinarySensor',
                                                              binary_sensor.BinarySensor,
                                                              Component)
+BinarySensorPublishAction = binary_sensor.binary_sensor_ns.class_('BinarySensorPublishAction',
+                                                                  Action)
 
 PLATFORM_SCHEMA = cv.nameable(binary_sensor.BINARY_SENSOR_PLATFORM_SCHEMA.extend({
     cv.GenerateID(): cv.declare_variable_id(TemplateBinarySensor),
@@ -31,6 +34,26 @@ def to_code(config):
 
 BUILD_FLAGS = '-DUSE_TEMPLATE_BINARY_SENSOR'
 
+CONF_BINARY_SENSOR_TEMPLATE_PUBLISH = 'binary_sensor.template.publish'
+BINARY_SENSOR_TEMPLATE_PUBLISH_ACTION_SCHEMA = vol.Schema({
+    vol.Required(CONF_ID): cv.use_variable_id(binary_sensor.BinarySensor),
+    vol.Required(CONF_STATE): cv.templatable(cv.boolean),
+})
+
+
+@ACTION_REGISTRY.register(CONF_BINARY_SENSOR_TEMPLATE_PUBLISH,
+                          BINARY_SENSOR_TEMPLATE_PUBLISH_ACTION_SCHEMA)
+def binary_sensor_template_publish_to_code(config, action_id, arg_type, template_arg):
+    for var in get_variable(config[CONF_ID]):
+        yield None
+    rhs = var.make_binary_sensor_publish_action(template_arg)
+    type = BinarySensorPublishAction.template(arg_type)
+    action = Pvariable(action_id, rhs, type=type)
+    for template_ in templatable(config[CONF_STATE], arg_type, bool_):
+        yield None
+    add(action.set_state(template_))
+    yield action
+
 
 def to_hass_config(data, config):
     return binary_sensor.core_to_hass_config(data, config)
diff --git a/esphomeyaml/components/cover/__init__.py b/esphomeyaml/components/cover/__init__.py
index 32befd8081..bfa9d4fbcb 100644
--- a/esphomeyaml/components/cover/__init__.py
+++ b/esphomeyaml/components/cover/__init__.py
@@ -22,6 +22,12 @@ CoverState = cover_ns.class_('CoverState')
 COVER_OPEN = cover_ns.COVER_OPEN
 COVER_CLOSED = cover_ns.COVER_CLOSED
 
+validate_cover_state = cv.one_of('OPEN', 'CLOSED', upper=True)
+COVER_STATES = {
+    'OPEN': COVER_OPEN,
+    'CLOSED': COVER_CLOSED,
+}
+
 # Actions
 OpenAction = cover_ns.class_('OpenAction', Action)
 CloseAction = cover_ns.class_('CloseAction', Action)
diff --git a/esphomeyaml/components/cover/template.py b/esphomeyaml/components/cover/template.py
index a19c7a07d2..83829746d2 100644
--- a/esphomeyaml/components/cover/template.py
+++ b/esphomeyaml/components/cover/template.py
@@ -1,15 +1,18 @@
 import voluptuous as vol
 
 from esphomeyaml import automation
+from esphomeyaml.automation import ACTION_REGISTRY
 from esphomeyaml.components import cover
 import esphomeyaml.config_validation as cv
 from esphomeyaml.const import CONF_ASSUMED_STATE, CONF_CLOSE_ACTION, CONF_ID, CONF_LAMBDA, \
-    CONF_NAME, CONF_OPEN_ACTION, CONF_OPTIMISTIC, CONF_STOP_ACTION
-from esphomeyaml.cpp_generator import Pvariable, add, process_lambda
+    CONF_NAME, CONF_OPEN_ACTION, CONF_OPTIMISTIC, CONF_STATE, CONF_STOP_ACTION
+from esphomeyaml.cpp_generator import Pvariable, add, get_variable, process_lambda, templatable
 from esphomeyaml.cpp_helpers import setup_component
-from esphomeyaml.cpp_types import App, NoArg, optional
+from esphomeyaml.cpp_types import Action, App, NoArg, optional
+from esphomeyaml.py_compat import string_types
 
 TemplateCover = cover.cover_ns.class_('TemplateCover', cover.Cover)
+CoverPublishAction = cover.cover_ns.class_('CoverPublishAction', Action)
 
 PLATFORM_SCHEMA = cv.nameable(cover.COVER_PLATFORM_SCHEMA.extend({
     cv.GenerateID(): cv.declare_variable_id(TemplateCover),
@@ -51,6 +54,30 @@ def to_code(config):
 
 BUILD_FLAGS = '-DUSE_TEMPLATE_COVER'
 
+CONF_COVER_TEMPLATE_PUBLISH = 'cover.template.publish'
+COVER_TEMPLATE_PUBLISH_ACTION_SCHEMA = vol.Schema({
+    vol.Required(CONF_ID): cv.use_variable_id(cover.Cover),
+    vol.Required(CONF_STATE): cv.templatable(cover.validate_cover_state),
+})
+
+
+@ACTION_REGISTRY.register(CONF_COVER_TEMPLATE_PUBLISH,
+                          COVER_TEMPLATE_PUBLISH_ACTION_SCHEMA)
+def cover_template_publish_to_code(config, action_id, arg_type, template_arg):
+    for var in get_variable(config[CONF_ID]):
+        yield None
+    rhs = var.make_cover_publish_action(template_arg)
+    type = CoverPublishAction.template(arg_type)
+    action = Pvariable(action_id, rhs, type=type)
+    state = config[CONF_STATE]
+    if isinstance(state, string_types):
+        template_ = cover.COVER_STATES[state]
+    else:
+        for template_ in templatable(state, arg_type, cover.CoverState):
+            yield None
+    add(action.set_state(template_))
+    yield action
+
 
 def to_hass_config(data, config):
     ret = cover.core_to_hass_config(data, config)
diff --git a/esphomeyaml/components/sensor/template.py b/esphomeyaml/components/sensor/template.py
index ce4e1b7a9c..27d5d91a67 100644
--- a/esphomeyaml/components/sensor/template.py
+++ b/esphomeyaml/components/sensor/template.py
@@ -1,13 +1,15 @@
 import voluptuous as vol
 
+from esphomeyaml.automation import ACTION_REGISTRY
 from esphomeyaml.components import sensor
 import esphomeyaml.config_validation as cv
-from esphomeyaml.const import CONF_ID, CONF_LAMBDA, CONF_NAME, CONF_UPDATE_INTERVAL
-from esphomeyaml.cpp_generator import Pvariable, add, process_lambda
+from esphomeyaml.const import CONF_ID, CONF_LAMBDA, CONF_NAME, CONF_STATE, CONF_UPDATE_INTERVAL
+from esphomeyaml.cpp_generator import Pvariable, add, get_variable, process_lambda, templatable
 from esphomeyaml.cpp_helpers import setup_component
-from esphomeyaml.cpp_types import App, float_, optional
+from esphomeyaml.cpp_types import Action, App, float_, optional
 
 TemplateSensor = sensor.sensor_ns.class_('TemplateSensor', sensor.PollingSensorComponent)
+SensorPublishAction = sensor.sensor_ns.class_('SensorPublishAction', Action)
 
 PLATFORM_SCHEMA = cv.nameable(sensor.SENSOR_PLATFORM_SCHEMA.extend({
     cv.GenerateID(): cv.declare_variable_id(TemplateSensor),
@@ -31,6 +33,25 @@ def to_code(config):
 
 BUILD_FLAGS = '-DUSE_TEMPLATE_SENSOR'
 
+CONF_SENSOR_TEMPLATE_PUBLISH = 'sensor.template.publish'
+SENSOR_TEMPLATE_PUBLISH_ACTION_SCHEMA = vol.Schema({
+    vol.Required(CONF_ID): cv.use_variable_id(sensor.Sensor),
+    vol.Required(CONF_STATE): cv.templatable(cv.float_),
+})
+
+
+@ACTION_REGISTRY.register(CONF_SENSOR_TEMPLATE_PUBLISH, SENSOR_TEMPLATE_PUBLISH_ACTION_SCHEMA)
+def sensor_template_publish_to_code(config, action_id, arg_type, template_arg):
+    for var in get_variable(config[CONF_ID]):
+        yield None
+    rhs = var.make_sensor_publish_action(template_arg)
+    type = SensorPublishAction.template(arg_type)
+    action = Pvariable(action_id, rhs, type=type)
+    for template_ in templatable(config[CONF_STATE], arg_type, float_):
+        yield None
+    add(action.set_state(template_))
+    yield action
+
 
 def to_hass_config(data, config):
     return sensor.core_to_hass_config(data, config)
diff --git a/esphomeyaml/components/switch/__init__.py b/esphomeyaml/components/switch/__init__.py
index fc9c248401..a3b9c10295 100644
--- a/esphomeyaml/components/switch/__init__.py
+++ b/esphomeyaml/components/switch/__init__.py
@@ -1,14 +1,15 @@
 import voluptuous as vol
 
+from esphomeyaml import automation
 from esphomeyaml.automation import maybe_simple_id, ACTION_REGISTRY, CONDITION_REGISTRY, Condition
 from esphomeyaml.components import mqtt
 from esphomeyaml.components.mqtt import setup_mqtt_component
 import esphomeyaml.config_validation as cv
 from esphomeyaml.const import CONF_ICON, CONF_ID, CONF_INVERTED, CONF_MQTT_ID, CONF_INTERNAL, \
-    CONF_OPTIMISTIC
+    CONF_OPTIMISTIC, CONF_ON_TURN_ON, CONF_ON_TURN_OFF, CONF_TRIGGER_ID
 from esphomeyaml.core import CORE
 from esphomeyaml.cpp_generator import add, Pvariable, get_variable
-from esphomeyaml.cpp_types import esphomelib_ns, Nameable, Action, App
+from esphomeyaml.cpp_types import esphomelib_ns, Nameable, Action, App, Trigger, NoArg
 
 PLATFORM_SCHEMA = cv.PLATFORM_SCHEMA.extend({
 
@@ -24,11 +25,19 @@ TurnOffAction = switch_ns.class_('TurnOffAction', Action)
 TurnOnAction = switch_ns.class_('TurnOnAction', Action)
 
 SwitchCondition = switch_ns.class_('SwitchCondition', Condition)
+SwitchTurnOnTrigger = switch_ns.class_('SwitchTurnOnTrigger', Trigger.template(NoArg))
+SwitchTurnOffTrigger = switch_ns.class_('SwitchTurnOffTrigger', Trigger.template(NoArg))
 
 SWITCH_SCHEMA = cv.MQTT_COMMAND_COMPONENT_SCHEMA.extend({
     cv.GenerateID(CONF_MQTT_ID): cv.declare_variable_id(MQTTSwitchComponent),
     vol.Optional(CONF_ICON): cv.icon,
     vol.Optional(CONF_INVERTED): cv.boolean,
+    vol.Optional(CONF_ON_TURN_ON): automation.validate_automation({
+        cv.GenerateID(CONF_TRIGGER_ID): cv.declare_variable_id(SwitchTurnOnTrigger),
+    }),
+    vol.Optional(CONF_ON_TURN_OFF): automation.validate_automation({
+        cv.GenerateID(CONF_TRIGGER_ID): cv.declare_variable_id(SwitchTurnOffTrigger),
+    }),
 })
 
 SWITCH_PLATFORM_SCHEMA = PLATFORM_SCHEMA.extend(SWITCH_SCHEMA.schema)
@@ -41,6 +50,14 @@ def setup_switch_core_(switch_var, config):
         add(switch_var.set_icon(config[CONF_ICON]))
     if CONF_INVERTED in config:
         add(switch_var.set_inverted(config[CONF_INVERTED]))
+    for conf in config.get(CONF_ON_TURN_ON, []):
+        rhs = switch_var.make_switch_turn_on_trigger()
+        trigger = Pvariable(conf[CONF_TRIGGER_ID], rhs)
+        automation.build_automation(trigger, NoArg, conf)
+    for conf in config.get(CONF_ON_TURN_OFF, []):
+        rhs = switch_var.make_switch_turn_off_trigger()
+        trigger = Pvariable(conf[CONF_TRIGGER_ID], rhs)
+        automation.build_automation(trigger, NoArg, conf)
 
     setup_mqtt_component(switch_var.Pget_mqtt(), config)
 
diff --git a/esphomeyaml/components/switch/template.py b/esphomeyaml/components/switch/template.py
index 8e16815513..9b15e26126 100644
--- a/esphomeyaml/components/switch/template.py
+++ b/esphomeyaml/components/switch/template.py
@@ -1,15 +1,18 @@
 import voluptuous as vol
 
 from esphomeyaml import automation
+from esphomeyaml.automation import ACTION_REGISTRY
 from esphomeyaml.components import switch
 import esphomeyaml.config_validation as cv
 from esphomeyaml.const import CONF_ID, CONF_LAMBDA, CONF_NAME, CONF_OPTIMISTIC, \
-    CONF_RESTORE_STATE, CONF_TURN_OFF_ACTION, CONF_TURN_ON_ACTION, CONF_ASSUMED_STATE
-from esphomeyaml.cpp_generator import Pvariable, add, process_lambda
+    CONF_RESTORE_STATE, \
+    CONF_STATE, CONF_TURN_OFF_ACTION, CONF_TURN_ON_ACTION, CONF_ASSUMED_STATE
+from esphomeyaml.cpp_generator import Pvariable, add, get_variable, process_lambda, templatable
 from esphomeyaml.cpp_helpers import setup_component
-from esphomeyaml.cpp_types import App, Component, NoArg, bool_, optional
+from esphomeyaml.cpp_types import Action, App, Component, NoArg, bool_, optional
 
 TemplateSwitch = switch.switch_ns.class_('TemplateSwitch', switch.Switch, Component)
+SwitchPublishAction = switch.switch_ns.class_('SwitchPublishAction', Action)
 
 PLATFORM_SCHEMA = cv.nameable(switch.SWITCH_PLATFORM_SCHEMA.extend({
     cv.GenerateID(): cv.declare_variable_id(TemplateSwitch),
@@ -52,6 +55,25 @@ def to_code(config):
 
 BUILD_FLAGS = '-DUSE_TEMPLATE_SWITCH'
 
+CONF_SWITCH_TEMPLATE_PUBLISH = 'switch.template.publish'
+SWITCH_TEMPLATE_PUBLISH_ACTION_SCHEMA = vol.Schema({
+    vol.Required(CONF_ID): cv.use_variable_id(switch.Switch),
+    vol.Required(CONF_STATE): cv.templatable(cv.boolean),
+})
+
+
+@ACTION_REGISTRY.register(CONF_SWITCH_TEMPLATE_PUBLISH, SWITCH_TEMPLATE_PUBLISH_ACTION_SCHEMA)
+def switch_template_publish_to_code(config, action_id, arg_type, template_arg):
+    for var in get_variable(config[CONF_ID]):
+        yield None
+    rhs = var.make_switch_publish_action(template_arg)
+    type = SwitchPublishAction.template(arg_type)
+    action = Pvariable(action_id, rhs, type=type)
+    for template_ in templatable(config[CONF_STATE], arg_type, bool_):
+        yield None
+    add(action.set_state(template_))
+    yield action
+
 
 def to_hass_config(data, config):
     return switch.core_to_hass_config(data, config)
diff --git a/esphomeyaml/const.py b/esphomeyaml/const.py
index 878386ad2f..04a2ebebc6 100644
--- a/esphomeyaml/const.py
+++ b/esphomeyaml/const.py
@@ -401,6 +401,8 @@ CONF_VARIANT = 'variant'
 CONF_METHOD = 'method'
 CONF_FAST_CONNECT = 'fast_connect'
 CONF_INTERLOCK = 'interlock'
+CONF_ON_TURN_ON = 'on_turn_on'
+CONF_ON_TURN_OFF = 'on_turn_off'
 
 ALLOWED_NAME_CHARS = u'abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789_'
 ARDUINO_VERSION_ESP32_DEV = 'https://github.com/platformio/platform-espressif32.git#feature/stage'
diff --git a/tests/test1.yaml b/tests/test1.yaml
index 24db85034f..70d1437598 100644
--- a/tests/test1.yaml
+++ b/tests/test1.yaml
@@ -433,13 +433,21 @@ sensor:
     update_interval: 15s
   - platform: template
     name: "Template Sensor"
-    lambda: >-
+    id: template_sensor
+    lambda: |-
       if (id(ultrasonic_sensor1).state > 1) {
         return 42.0;
       } else {
         return {};
       }
     update_interval: 15s
+    on_value:
+      - sensor.template.publish:
+          id: template_sensor
+          state: 43.0
+      - sensor.template.publish:
+          id: template_sensor
+          state: !lambda 'return NAN;'
   - platform: tsl2561
     name: "TSL2561 Ambient Light"
     address: 0x39
@@ -560,7 +568,8 @@ binary_sensor:
     name: "Nextion Component 2 Touch"
   - platform: template
     name: "Garage Door Open"
-    lambda: >-
+    id: garage_door
+    lambda: |-
       if (isnan(id(my_sensor).state)) {
         // isnan checks if the ultrasonic sensor echo
         // has timed out, resulting in a NaN (not a number) state
@@ -573,6 +582,10 @@ binary_sensor:
         // Garage Door is closed.
         return false;
       }
+    on_press:
+      - binary_sensor.template.publish:
+          id: garage_door
+          state: OFF
   - platform: pn532
     uid: 74-10-37-94
     name: "PN532 NFC Tag"
@@ -885,6 +898,7 @@ switch:
       - -1000
   - platform: template
     name: Living Room Lights
+    id: livingroom_lights
     optimistic: True
     assumed_state: yes
     turn_on_action:
@@ -898,6 +912,10 @@ switch:
     turn_off_action:
     - switch.turn_on: living_room_lights_off
     restore_state: False
+    on_turn_on:
+      - switch.template.publish:
+          id: livingroom_lights
+          state: yes
   - platform: restart
     name: "Living Room Restart"
   - platform: shutdown
@@ -926,6 +944,10 @@ switch:
     optimistic: true
     assumed_state: no
     restore_state: True
+    on_turn_off:
+      - switch.template.publish:
+          id: my_switch
+          state: !lambda 'return false;'
   - platform: uart
     name: "UART String Output"
     data: 'DataToSend'
@@ -1041,13 +1063,18 @@ time:
 cover:
   - platform: template
     name: "Template Cover"
-    lambda: >-
+    id: template_cover
+    lambda: |-
       if (id(binary_sensor1).state) {
         return cover::COVER_OPEN;
       } else {
         return {};
       }
     optimistic: true
+    open_action:
+      - cover.template.publish:
+          id: template_cover
+          state: CLOSED
     assumed_state: no
 
 debug: