Tesla Control via Tessie
Control Tesla vehicles using the Tessie API through Python scripts.
Prerequisites
Python 3 with requests library:
pip install requests
Set the TESSIE_API_KEY environment variable with your Tessie API key from https://my.tessie.com/settings/api
# Linux/macOS
export TESSIE_API_KEY="your-api-key-here"
# Windows (PowerShell)
$env:TESSIE_API_KEY = "your-api-key-here"
# Windows (cmd)
set TESSIE_API_KEY=your-api-key-here
For persistent storage, add to your shell profile (.bashrc, .zshrc, PowerShell profile, etc.).
Common Commands
All commands use the scripts/tessie.py script. Most commands require a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).
Get Vehicle List
python scripts/tessie.py vehicles
Returns all vehicles associated with your Tessie account with their VINs.
Check Status
python scripts/tessie.py status --vin <VIN>
Returns comprehensive vehicle status including battery, location, climate, charging state, and more.
Battery Info
python scripts/tessie.py battery --vin <VIN>
Returns battery level, range, and charging information.
Location
python scripts/tessie.py location --vin <VIN>
Returns current vehicle location (latitude, longitude, heading).
Lock & Unlock
python scripts/tessie.py lock --vin <VIN>
python scripts/tessie.py unlock --vin <VIN>
Climate Control
# Start climate
python scripts/tessie.py start_climate --vin <VIN>
# Stop climate
python scripts/tessie.py stop_climate --vin <VIN>
# Set temperature (Celsius)
python scripts/tessie.py set_temperature --vin <VIN> --value 22
Charging
# Start charging
python scripts/tessie.py start_charging --vin <VIN>
# Stop charging
python scripts/tessie.py stop_charging --vin <VIN>
# Set charge limit (0-100)
python scripts/tessie.py set_charge_limit --vin <VIN> --value 80
# Open/close charge port
python scripts/tessie.py open_charge_port --vin <VIN>
python scripts/tessie.py close_charge_port --vin <VIN>
Honk, Flash & Fart
python scripts/tessie.py honk --vin <VIN>
python scripts/tessie.py flash --vin <VIN>
python scripts/tessie.py fart --vin <VIN>
Note: Fart requires firmware 2022.40.25 or newer.
Trunks
python scripts/tessie.py open_frunk --vin <VIN>
python scripts/tessie.py open_trunk --vin <VIN>
Software Updates
# Schedule update immediately
python scripts/tessie.py schedule_update --vin <VIN>
# Schedule update in 2 hours (7200 seconds)
python scripts/tessie.py schedule_update --vin <VIN> --value 7200
# Cancel scheduled update
python scripts/tessie.py cancel_update --vin <VIN>
# Check for available updates
python scripts/check-updates.py --vin <VIN>
The check-updates script returns one of:
UPDATE_AVAILABLE: Software update X.X.X is ready to install!UPDATE_DOWNLOADING: Downloading update X.X.X (XX%)UPDATE_INSTALLING: Installing update X.X.X (XX%)UPDATE_SCHEDULED: Update X.X.X is scheduledNO_UPDATE
Wake Vehicle
If the vehicle is asleep, wake it first:
python scripts/tessie.py wake --vin <VIN>
Automatic Update Notifications
To get notified when software updates are available, set up a cron job:
# Check for updates every 6 hours and notify if available
cron add \
--schedule "0 */6 * * *" \
--text "Check my Tesla for software updates and notify me if one is available" \
--description "Tesla software update check"
When an update is available, you'll get a notification with the version number.
Workflow
- First time: Get VIN with
vehiclesaction - For most commands: Use the VIN to target specific vehicle
- If vehicle is asleep: Use
wakefirst, then retry command - Check status with
status,battery, orlocationas needed
Reference
For complete API documentation, see references/api.md.