01-types.yaml

---
#
# Let first talk about the different types in YAML
#
# It is important to understand the differences and terms.
# Not just for configuration splitting, but in general!
#
# Scalar values: String, Integer, Float, Boolean, Null
# Comments
# Collections: List (sequence), Dictionary (mapping) (important for splitting!)
#
# PS: Yes, this is not the full list ;)
#

# Strings

string: "Hello"
string2: Hello

# Integers

integer: 1

## Integers gotcha

this_is_not_what_you_think: 014 # This is actually 12! Leading 0 means octal!

# Floats

decimal: 0.1234

# Null

hassio: ~
discovery:

# Comments

# Yeah... there is a lot of comments in this file

# Booleans vs strings, boolean variants to avoid

# Use these 2 in general: lower case true & false, avoid the others
yes: true
no: false

other_yes: yes
other_no: no

# not boolean
language: "no"
string_true: "true"

# List (sequence), Array

this_is_a_list:
  - hi
  - again
  - :)

this_is_also_a_list: [1, 2, 3, 4]

this_is_also_a_list_extended:
  - 1
  - 2
  - 3
  - 4

# Dictionary, Dict (mapping), Associative Array

dictionary:
  item1: value
  item2: another value

02-multi-line-strings.yaml

---
#
# Long strings are hard to read!
#
# Especially when using templates (Jinja2), this can becomes really hard.
# Any line of text that goes out of your screen, is just insanely hard to read.
#
# Multiple options, depending on the use case:

# `|` -> Literal style (Preserves new lines, but removes double new lines)
literal_example: |
  This example is an example of literal block scalar style in YAML.
  It allows you to split a string into multiple lines.

literal_example_same_as: "This example is a example of literal block scalar style in YAML.\nIt allows you to split a string into multiple lines.\n"

# `>` -> Folded style (Does not preserve new lines)
folded_example: >
  This example is an example of a folded block scalar style in YAML.
  It allows you to split a string into multi lines, however, it magically
  removes all the new lines placed in your YAML.

folded_example_same_as: "This example is an example of a folded block scalar style in YAML. It allows you to split a string into multi lines, however, it magically removes all the new lines placed in your YAML.\n"

# Chomping indicators!
#
# No chomping operator (Clipping) (`|` and `>`):
#   Keep last new line, remove additional new lines.
#
# Strip operator (`|-` and `>-`):
#   No trailing new line, any additional new lines are removed at the end.
#
# Keep operator (`|+` and `>+`):
#   Trailing new line, and keep all additional new lines in the end.

# Clipping/no chomping (Can be usefull)
no_chomping: |
  This literal operator has no chomping operator/indicator.
  Awesome!

no_chomping_same_as2: "This literal operator has no chomping operator/indicator.\nAwesome!\n"

# Strip chomping (Learn and use the `|-` and `>-` you'll need them in 90% of the cases)
strip_chomping: |-
  This literal operator has no chomping operator/indicator.
  Awesome!

strip_chomping_same_as2: "This literal operator has no chomping operator/indicator.\nAwesome!"

# Keep chomping (Forget this one...)
keep_chomping: |+
  This literal operator has no chomping operator/indicator.
  Awesome!

keep_chomping_same_as2: "This literal operator has no chomping operator/indicator.\nAwesome!\n\n"

#
# Why?!?!
#
why: https://github.com/frenck/home-assistant-config/blob/master/config/automations/areas/bedroom_flynn/window_climate.yaml#L28

03-includes.yaml

#
# Lets talk Home Assistant!
#
# https://www.home-assistant.io/docs/configuration/splitting_configuration/

# Single include on the spot, result whatever is in the included file
first: !include file.yaml

# Each file is an item in the list, result is a LIST!
# https://www.home-assistant.io/docs/configuration/splitting_configuration/#example-include_dir_list
second: !include_dir_list ./second

# All files merged into one big list (files MUST contain a list), result is a LIST!
# https://www.home-assistant.io/docs/configuration/splitting_configuration/#example-include_dir_merge_list
third: !include_dir_merge_list ./third

# Merge all files into a directory using the filename as the key. Result is a DICTIONARY!
# https://www.home-assistant.io/docs/configuration/splitting_configuration/#example-include_dir_named
fourth: !include_dir_named ./fourth

# Merge contents of all files. Result is a DICTIONARY!
# https://www.home-assistant.io/docs/configuration/splitting_configuration/#example-include_dir_merge_named
fifth: !include_dir_merge_named ./fifth

04-secret-trick.yaml

#
# Secret trick. Loading the same integration multiple times.
#
# Not documented (I think), limited support I assume.
# But it can be helpful.
#

# This loads the old file (your current automations)
# This file is also used by the automations editor in the UI
automation: !include automations.yaml

# This loads the automations in a split file structure.
automation drzzs: !include_dir_list automations

# This allows one to migrate to a split config structure slowly!

Yes i agree. This secret would be a game changer for me.

I did once go though the effort to split all my automations into separate files. I soon really missed the GUI editor for the easy ability to get at least a basic automation started. Also, the fact that manual automations without an id would not appear in the UI either. So I quickly changed back to all automations inside automations.yaml.
This video was very insightful because i can now use both methods & slowly move completed automations to a split folder structure.
It would be such a bonus to be able to a split folder style structure for automation storage while still retaining the ability to create & edit in the UI would be awesome.

Very useful ! thank you.