feat(docs): enhance period calculation documentation and add detailed guides for best/peak price periods

.github/copilot-instructions.md

@@ -1169,6 +1169,32 @@ Public entry points → direct helpers (call order) → pure utilities. Prefix p
 
 **Translation sync:** When updating `/translations/en.json`, update ALL language files (`de.json`, etc.) with same keys (placeholder values OK).
 
+**Documentation language:**
+
+-   **CRITICAL**: All user-facing documentation (`README.md`, `/docs/user/`, `/docs/development/`) MUST be written in **English**
+-   **Code comments**: Always use English for code comments and docstrings
+-   **UI translations**: Multi-language support exists in `/translations/` and `/custom_translations/` (de, en, nb, nl, sv) for UI strings only
+-   **Why English-only docs**: Ensures maintainability, accessibility to global community, and consistency with Home Assistant ecosystem
+-   **Entity names in documentation**: Use **translated display names** from `/translations/en.json` (what users see), not internal entity IDs. Example: "Best Price Period" not "sensor.tibber_home_best_price_period" (add entity ID as comment if needed for clarity).
+
+**Examples and use cases:**
+
+-   **Regional context**: Tibber operates primarily in European markets (Norway, Sweden, Germany, Netherlands). Examples should reflect European context:
+    -   ✅ Use cases: Heat pump, dishwasher, washing machine, electric vehicle charging, water heater
+    -   ✅ Appliances: Common in European homes (heat pumps for heating/cooling, instantaneous water heaters)
+    -   ✅ Energy patterns: European pricing structures (often lower overnight rates, higher daytime rates)
+    -   ✅ Optimization strategies: ECO programs with long run times, heat pump defrost cycles, smart water heating
+    -   ❌ Avoid: US-centric examples (central air conditioning as primary cooling, 240V dryers, different voltage standards)
+    -   ❌ Avoid: US appliance behavior assumptions (e.g., dishwashers requiring hot water connection due to 120V limitations)
+-   **Technical differences**: European appliances operate differently due to 230V power supply:
+    -   Dishwashers: Built-in heaters, ECO programs (long duration, low energy), cold water connection standard
+    -   Washing machines: Fast heating cycles, higher temperature options (60°C, 90°C programs common)
+    -   Heat pumps: Primary heating source (not just cooling), complex defrost cycles, weather-dependent operation
+-   **Units and formats**: Use European conventions where appropriate:
+    -   Prices: ct/kWh or øre/kWh (as provided by Tibber API)
+    -   Time: 24-hour format (00:00-23:59)
+    -   Dates: ISO 8601 format (YYYY-MM-DD)
+
 **Language style and tone:**
 
 -   **Informal address**: Always use informal "you" forms (German: "du" not "Sie", Dutch: "je/jouw" not "u/uw"). This applies to all translations.

README.md

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ A Home Assistant integration that provides advanced price information and rating
 ## 📖 Documentation
 
 - **[User Guide](docs/user/)** - Installation, configuration, and usage guides
+  - **[Period Calculation](docs/user/period-calculation.md)** - How Best/Peak Price periods are calculated
 - **[Developer Guide](docs/development/)** - Contributing, architecture, and release process
 - **[Changelog](https://github.com/jpawlowski/hass.tibber_prices/releases)** - Release history and notes
 
@@ -126,8 +127,8 @@ The integration provides **30+ sensors** across different categories. Key sensor
 
 | Entity                     | Description                                                    |
 | -------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
-| Peak Price Interval        | ON when current interval is in the highest 20% of day's prices |
+| Peak Price Period          | ON when in a detected peak price period ([how it works](docs/user/period-calculation.md)) |
-| Best Price Interval        | ON when current interval is in the lowest 20% of day's prices  |
+| Best Price Period          | ON when in a detected best price period ([how it works](docs/user/period-calculation.md)) |
 | Tibber API Connection      | Connection status to Tibber API                                |
 | Tomorrow's Data Available  | Whether tomorrow's price data is available                     |
 
@@ -151,16 +152,18 @@ The following sensors are available but disabled by default. Enable them in `Set
 
 ## Automation Examples
 
+> **Note:** See the [full automation examples guide](docs/user/automation-examples.md) for more advanced recipes.
+
 ### Run Appliances During Cheap Hours
 
-Use the `binary_sensor.tibber_best_price_interval` to automatically start appliances during the cheapest 15-minute periods:
+Use the `binary_sensor.tibber_best_price_period` to automatically start appliances during detected best price periods:
 
 ```yaml
 automation:
     - alias: "Run Dishwasher During Cheap Hours"
       trigger:
           - platform: state
-            entity_id: binary_sensor.tibber_best_price_interval
+            entity_id: binary_sensor.tibber_best_price_period
             to: "on"
       condition:
           - condition: time
@@ -172,6 +175,8 @@ automation:
                 entity_id: switch.dishwasher
 ```
 
+> **Learn more:** The [period calculation guide](docs/user/period-calculation.md) explains how Best/Peak Price periods are identified and how you can configure filters (flexibility, minimum volatility, price level filters with gap tolerance).
+
 ### Notify on Extremely High Prices
 
 Get notified when prices reach the VERY_EXPENSIVE level:

docs/user/README.md

@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ Welcome to Tibber Prices! This integration provides enhanced electricity price d
 
 - **[Installation](installation.md)** - How to install via HACS and configure the integration
 - **[Configuration](configuration.md)** - Setting up your Tibber API token and price thresholds
+- **[Period Calculation](period-calculation.md)** - How Best/Peak Price periods are calculated and configured
 - **[Sensors](sensors.md)** - Available sensors, their states, and attributes
 - **[Services](services.md)** - Custom services and how to use them
 - **[Automation Examples](automation-examples.md)** - Ready-to-use automation recipes
@@ -24,7 +25,7 @@ Welcome to Tibber Prices! This integration provides enhanced electricity price d
 - **Quarter-hourly precision** - 15-minute intervals for accurate price tracking
 - **Statistical analysis** - Trailing/leading 24h averages for context
 - **Price ratings** - LOW/NORMAL/HIGH classification based on your thresholds
-- **Best hour detection** - Automatic detection of cheapest/peak hours
+- **Best/Peak hour detection** - Automatic detection of cheapest/peak periods with configurable filters ([learn how](period-calculation.md))
 - **ApexCharts integration** - Custom services for beautiful price charts
 - **Multi-currency support** - EUR, NOK, SEK with proper minor units (ct, øre, öre)
 

docs/user/period-calculation.md

@@ -0,0 +1,734 @@
+# Period Calculation
+
+A detailed explanation of how Best Price and Peak Price periods are calculated and how you can influence the calculation with configuration options.
+
+## Table of Contents
+
+- [Overview](#overview)
+- [Calculation Flow](#calculation-flow)
+- [Configuration Options in Detail](#configuration-options-in-detail)
+- [Filter Pipeline](#filter-pipeline)
+- [Gap Tolerance for Level Filters](#gap-tolerance-for-level-filters)
+- [Relaxation Mechanism](#relaxation-mechanism)
+- [Practical Examples](#practical-examples)
+- [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting)
+
+---
+
+## Overview
+
+### What are Price Periods?
+
+The integration automatically calculates **Best Price Periods** (cheap time windows) and **Peak Price Periods** (expensive time windows) for each day. These periods help you:
+
+- **Best Price**: Shift electricity consumption to cheap times (e.g., charge electric car, run dishwasher, washing machine, heat pump water heater)
+- **Peak Price**: Avoid high consumption during expensive times (e.g., reduce heating temporarily, defer non-essential loads)
+
+### Basic Principle
+
+The calculation happens in **two main steps**:
+
+1. **Period Identification**: Find contiguous time ranges that differ significantly from the daily average
+2. **Filter Application**: Apply various filters to keep only relevant periods
+
+Both steps can be influenced by configuration options.
+
+---
+
+## Calculation Flow
+
+### Step 1: Data Preparation
+
+**What happens:**
+- Fetch all price intervals for today (96 x 15-minute intervals = 24 hours)
+- Calculate daily average price
+- Calculate trailing 24h average for each interval
+
+**Example:**
+```
+Today: 96 intervals from 00:00 to 23:59
+Average price today: 25.5 ct/kWh
+```
+
+### Step 2: Period Identification (Flexibility)
+
+**What happens:**
+- Search for contiguous intervals that are **significantly cheaper** (Best Price) or **more expensive** (Peak Price) than the average
+- "Significant" is defined by the **flexibility** setting
+
+**Configuration:**
+- `best_price_flex` (default: 15%) - How much cheaper than average?
+- `peak_price_flex` (default: -15%) - How much more expensive than average?
+
+**Example (Best Price with 15% flexibility):**
+```
+Average price: 25.0 ct/kWh
+Flexibility: -15%
+Threshold: 25.0 - (25.0 × 0.15) = 21.25 ct/kWh
+
+Intervals that cost ≤ 21.25 ct/kWh are grouped into periods:
+00:00-00:15: 20.5 ct ✓ │
+00:15-00:30: 19.8 ct ✓ ├─ Period 1 (1h)
+00:30-00:45: 21.0 ct ✓ │
+00:45-01:00: 20.2 ct ✓ │
+01:00-01:15: 26.5 ct ✗   (too expensive, period ends)
+```
+
+### Step 3: Minimum Period Length
+
+**What happens:**
+- Periods that are too short are discarded (not practical to use)
+
+**Configuration:**
+- `best_price_min_period_length` (default: 60 minutes)
+- `peak_price_min_period_length` (default: 60 minutes)
+
+**Example:**
+```
+Found periods:
+- 00:00-01:00 (60 min) ✓ Keep
+- 03:00-03:30 (30 min) ✗ Discard (too short)
+- 14:00-15:15 (75 min) ✓ Keep
+```
+
+### Step 4: Minimum Distance from Average
+
+**What happens:**
+- Periods must have **additional** distance from the daily average beyond flexibility
+- Prevents marking "almost normal" prices as "Best/Peak" on days with small price spread
+
+**Configuration:**
+- `best_price_min_distance_from_avg` (default: 2%) - Additional distance below average
+- `peak_price_min_distance_from_avg` (default: 2%) - Additional distance above average
+
+**Example (Best Price):**
+```
+Daily average: 25.0 ct/kWh
+Flexibility threshold: 21.25 ct/kWh (from Step 2)
+Minimum distance: 2%
+
+Final check for each interval:
+1. Price ≤ flexibility threshold? (21.25 ct)
+2. AND price ≤ average × (1 - 0.02)? (24.5 ct)
+
+Interval with 23.0 ct:
+  ✗ Meets flexibility (23.0 > 21.25)
+  ✓ Meets minimum distance (23.0 < 24.5)
+  → REJECTED (both conditions must be met)
+```
+
+### Step 5: Filter Application
+
+**What happens:**
+- Apply optional filters (volatility, price level)
+- See [Filter Pipeline](#filter-pipeline) for details
+
+---
+
+## Configuration Options in Detail
+
+### Best Price Period Settings
+
+| Option | Default | Description | Acts in Step |
+|--------|---------|-------------|--------------|
+| `best_price_flex` | 15% | How much cheaper than average must a period be? | 2 (Identification) |
+| `best_price_min_period_length` | 60 min | Minimum length of a period | 3 (Length filter) |
+| `best_price_min_distance_from_avg` | 2% | Additional minimum distance below daily average | 4 (Quality filter) |
+| `best_price_min_volatility` | LOW | Minimum volatility within the period (optional) | 5 (Volatility filter) |
+| `best_price_max_level` | ANY | Maximum price level (optional, e.g., only CHEAP or better) | 5 (Level filter) |
+| `best_price_max_level_gap_count` | 0 | Tolerance for level deviations (see [Gap Tolerance](#gap-tolerance-for-level-filters)) | 5 (Level filter) |
+| `enable_min_periods_best` | Off | Enables relaxation mechanism | - (Relaxation) |
+| `min_periods_best` | 2 | Minimum number of periods to achieve | - (Relaxation) |
+| `relaxation_step_best` | 25% | Step size for filter relaxation | - (Relaxation) |
+
+### Peak Price Period Settings
+
+| Option | Default | Description | Acts in Step |
+|--------|---------|-------------|--------------|
+| `peak_price_flex` | -15% | How much more expensive than average must a period be? | 2 (Identification) |
+| `peak_price_min_period_length` | 60 min | Minimum length of a period | 3 (Length filter) |
+| `peak_price_min_distance_from_avg` | 2% | Additional minimum distance above daily average | 4 (Quality filter) |
+| `peak_price_min_volatility` | LOW | Minimum volatility within the period (optional) | 5 (Volatility filter) |
+| `peak_price_min_level` | ANY | Minimum price level (optional, e.g., only EXPENSIVE or higher) | 5 (Level filter) |
+| `peak_price_max_level_gap_count` | 0 | Tolerance for level deviations (see [Gap Tolerance](#gap-tolerance-for-level-filters)) | 5 (Level filter) |
+| `enable_min_periods_peak` | Off | Enables relaxation mechanism | - (Relaxation) |
+| `min_periods_peak` | 2 | Minimum number of periods to achieve | - (Relaxation) |
+| `relaxation_step_peak` | 25% | Step size for filter relaxation | - (Relaxation) |
+
+---
+
+## Filter Pipeline
+
+After basic period identification (Steps 1-4), two optional **additional filters** can be applied:
+
+### Volatility Filter
+
+**Purpose:** Only show periods when the price spread within the period is large enough.
+
+**Use case:**
+- **Best Price**: "I only want to optimize when it's really worth it" (high volatility)
+- **Peak Price**: "Only warn me about large price swings" (high volatility)
+
+**How it works:**
+```
+Period: 00:00-01:00
+Intervals: 20.5 | 19.8 | 21.0 | 20.2 ct/kWh
+Min: 19.8 ct, Max: 21.0 ct
+Volatility (spread): 21.0 - 19.8 = 1.2 ct/kWh
+
+Volatility thresholds:
+- LOW: < 5.0 ct   → This period: LOW
+- MODERATE: 5-15 ct
+- HIGH: 15-30 ct
+- VERY_HIGH: ≥ 30 ct
+
+best_price_min_volatility = "MODERATE" (5 ct)
+→ Period is REJECTED (1.2 ct < 5.0 ct)
+```
+
+**Configuration:**
+- `best_price_min_volatility`: `low` | `moderate` | `high` | `very_high`
+- `peak_price_min_volatility`: `low` | `moderate` | `high` | `very_high`
+
+**Default:** `low` (filter disabled, all periods shown)
+
+### Level Filter (Price Level)
+
+**Purpose:** Only show periods that are actually cheap/expensive in absolute terms, not just relative to the daily average.
+
+**Use case:**
+- **Best Price**: "Only show best price when there's at least one CHEAP interval" (not just "less expensive than usual today")
+- **Peak Price**: "Only show peak price when there's at least one EXPENSIVE interval" (not just "more expensive than average")
+
+**Price levels (from Tibber API):**
+- `VERY_CHEAP` (-2)
+- `CHEAP` (-1)
+- `NORMAL` (0)
+- `EXPENSIVE` (+1)
+- `VERY_EXPENSIVE` (+2)
+
+**How it works (Best Price example):**
+```
+best_price_max_level = "CHEAP"
+
+Period: 00:00-01:00
+Intervals with levels:
+  00:00: 20.5 ct → CHEAP ✓
+  00:15: 19.8 ct → VERY_CHEAP ✓
+  00:30: 21.0 ct → NORMAL ✗
+  00:45: 20.2 ct → CHEAP ✓
+
+Filter logic (without gap tolerance):
+  → Does the period have at least ONE interval with level ≤ CHEAP?
+  → YES (three intervals are CHEAP or better)
+  → Period is KEPT
+
+But: One NORMAL interval in the middle!
+  → Without gap tolerance: Period is split into two parts
+  → With gap tolerance: Period stays together (see next section)
+```
+
+**Configuration:**
+- `best_price_max_level`: `any` | `very_cheap` | `cheap` | `normal` | `expensive`
+- `peak_price_min_level`: `any` | `expensive` | `normal` | `cheap` | `very_cheap`
+
+**Default:** `any` (filter disabled)
+
+---
+
+## Gap Tolerance for Level Filters
+
+### Problem Without Gap Tolerance
+
+When you activate a level filter (e.g., `best_price_max_level = "CHEAP"`), periods are **strictly filtered**:
+
+```
+Period: 00:00-02:00 (2 hours)
+Intervals:
+  00:00-01:30: CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP
+  01:30-01:45: NORMAL  ← A single deviating interval!
+  01:45-02:00: CHEAP
+
+Without gap tolerance:
+  → Period is split into TWO periods:
+    1. 00:00-01:30 (1.5h)
+    2. 01:45-02:00 (0.25h) ✗ too short, discarded!
+  → Result: Only 1.5h best price instead of 2h
+```
+
+### Solution: Gap Tolerance
+
+**Gap tolerance** allows a configurable number of intervals that deviate by **exactly one level step** from the required level.
+
+**How it works:**
+
+1. **"Gap" definition:** An interval that deviates by exactly 1 level step
+   ```
+   Best Price filter: CHEAP (-1)
+   NORMAL (0) is +1 step → GAP ✓
+   EXPENSIVE (+1) is +2 steps → NOT A GAP, too far away
+   ```
+
+2. **Gap counting:** Max X gaps allowed per period (configurable: 0-8)
+
+3. **Minimum distance between gaps:** Gaps must not be too close together
+   ```
+   Dynamic formula: max(2, (interval_count / max_gaps) / 2)
+
+   Example: 16 intervals, max 2 gaps allowed
+   → Minimum distance: max(2, (16/2)/2) = max(2, 4) = 4 intervals
+
+   CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP, NORMAL, CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP, NORMAL, CHEAP
+            ↑                    GAP1           ↑            GAP2
+            └─────── 4 intervals ──────────────┘
+   → OK, minimum distance maintained
+   ```
+
+4. **25% cap:** Maximum 25% of a period's intervals can be gaps
+   ```
+   Period: 12 intervals, user configured 5 gaps
+   → Effective: min(5, 12/4) = min(5, 3) = 3 gaps allowed
+   ```
+
+5. **Minimum period length:** Gap tolerance only applies to periods ≥ 1.5h (6 intervals)
+   ```
+   Period < 1.5h: Strict filtering (0 tolerance)
+   Period ≥ 1.5h: Gap tolerance as configured
+   ```
+
+### Gap Cluster Splitting
+
+If a period would still be rejected **despite gap tolerance** (too many gaps or too dense), the integration tries to **intelligently split** it:
+
+```
+Period: 00:00-04:00 (16 intervals)
+CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP, NORMAL, NORMAL, NORMAL, CHEAP, CHEAP, ..., CHEAP
+                      └─ Gap cluster (3×) ─┘
+
+Gap cluster = 2+ consecutive deviating intervals
+
+→ Splitting at gap cluster:
+  1. 00:00-00:45 (3 intervals) ✗ too short
+  2. 01:30-04:00 (10 intervals) ✓ kept
+
+→ Result: 2.5h best price instead of complete rejection
+```
+
+### Configuration
+
+**Best Price:**
+```yaml
+best_price_max_level: "cheap"           # Enable level filter
+best_price_max_level_gap_count: 2       # Allow 2 NORMAL intervals per period
+```
+
+**Peak Price:**
+```yaml
+peak_price_min_level: "expensive"       # Enable level filter
+peak_price_max_level_gap_count: 1       # Allow 1 NORMAL interval per period
+```
+
+**Default:** `0` (no tolerance, strict filtering)
+
+### Example Scenarios
+
+#### Scenario 1: Conservative (0 gaps)
+```yaml
+best_price_max_level: "cheap"
+best_price_max_level_gap_count: 0  # Default
+```
+
+**Behavior:**
+- Every interval MUST be CHEAP or better
+- A single NORMAL interval → period is split
+
+**Good for:** Users who want absolute price guarantees
+
+#### Scenario 2: Moderate (2-3 gaps)
+```yaml
+best_price_max_level: "cheap"
+best_price_max_level_gap_count: 2
+```
+
+**Behavior:**
+- Up to 2 NORMAL intervals per period tolerated
+- Minimum distance between gaps dynamically calculated
+- 25% cap protects against too many gaps
+
+**Good for:** Most users - balance between quality and period length
+
+#### Scenario 3: Aggressive (5-8 gaps)
+```yaml
+best_price_max_level: "cheap"
+best_price_max_level_gap_count: 5
+```
+
+**Behavior:**
+- Up to 5 NORMAL intervals (but max 25% of period)
+- Longer periods possible
+- Quality may suffer (more "not-quite-so-cheap" intervals)
+
+**Good for:** Users with flexible devices that need long run times
+
+---
+
+## Relaxation Mechanism
+
+If **too few periods** are found despite all filters, the integration can automatically **gradually relax** filters.
+
+### When is Relaxation Applied?
+
+Only when **both conditions** are met:
+1. `enable_min_periods_best/peak` is enabled
+2. Fewer than `min_periods_best/peak` periods found
+
+### Relaxation Levels
+
+The integration tries to relax filters in this order:
+
+#### Level 1: Relax Flexibility
+```
+Original: best_price_flex = 15%
+Step 1: 15% + (15% × 0.25) = 18.75%
+Step 2: 18.75% + (18.75% × 0.25) = 23.44%
+Step 3: ...
+```
+
+**Calculation:** `new_flexibility = old_flexibility × (1 + relaxation_step / 100)`
+
+#### Level 2: Disable Volatility Filter
+```
+If flexibility relaxation isn't enough:
+  → best_price_min_volatility = "any" (filter off)
+```
+
+#### Level 3: Disable All Filters
+```
+If still too few periods:
+  → Volatility = "any"
+  → Level filter = "any"
+  → Only flexibility and minimum length active
+```
+
+### Relaxation Status
+
+The sensors show the **relaxation status** as an attribute:
+
+```yaml
+Best Price Period:  # sensor.tibber_home_best_price_period
+  state: "on"
+  attributes:
+    relaxation_level: "volatility_any"  # Volatility filter was disabled
+```
+
+**Possible values:**
+- `none` - No relaxation, normal filters
+- `volatility_any` - Volatility filter disabled
+- `all_filters_off` - All optional filters disabled
+
+### Example Configuration
+
+```yaml
+# Best Price: Try to find at least 2 periods
+enable_min_periods_best: true
+min_periods_best: 2
+relaxation_step_best: 25  # 25% per step
+
+best_price_flex: 15
+best_price_min_volatility: "moderate"
+```
+
+**Process on a day with little price spread:**
+1. Try with 15% flex + MODERATE volatility → 0 periods
+2. Relax to 18.75% flex → 1 period
+3. Relax to 23.44% flex → 1 period (still < 2)
+4. Disable volatility filter → 2 periods ✓
+
+**Result:** User sees 2 periods with `relaxation_level: "volatility_any"`
+
+---
+
+## Practical Examples
+
+### Example 1: Standard Configuration (Best Price)
+
+**Configuration:**
+```yaml
+best_price_flex: 15
+best_price_min_period_length: 60
+best_price_min_distance_from_avg: 2
+best_price_min_volatility: "low"  # Filter disabled
+best_price_max_level: "any"  # Filter disabled
+```
+
+**Daily prices:**
+```
+Average: 25.0 ct/kWh
+00:00-02:00: 19-21 ct (cheap)
+06:00-08:00: 28-30 ct (expensive)
+12:00-14:00: 24-26 ct (normal)
+18:00-20:00: 20-22 ct (cheap)
+```
+
+**Calculation:**
+1. Flexibility threshold: 25.0 - (25.0 × 0.15) = 21.25 ct
+2. Minimum distance threshold: 25.0 × (1 - 0.02) = 24.5 ct
+3. Both conditions: Price ≤ 21.25 ct
+
+**Result:**
+- ✓ 00:00-02:00 (19-21 ct, all ≤ 21.25)
+- ✗ 06:00-08:00 (too expensive)
+- ✗ 12:00-14:00 (24-26 ct, not cheap enough)
+- ✓ 18:00-20:00 (20-22 ct, all ≤ 21.25)
+
+**2 Best Price periods found!**
+
+### Example 2: Strict Level Filter Without Gap Tolerance
+
+**Configuration:**
+```yaml
+best_price_flex: 15
+best_price_max_level: "cheap"
+best_price_max_level_gap_count: 0  # No tolerance
+```
+
+**Period candidate:**
+```
+00:00-02:00:
+  00:00-01:30: CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP
+  01:30-01:45: NORMAL  ← Deviation!
+  01:45-02:00: CHEAP
+```
+
+**Result:**
+- ✗ Period is split into 00:00-01:30 and 01:45-02:00
+- ✗ 01:45-02:00 too short (15 min < 60 min) → discarded
+- ✓ Only 00:00-01:30 (1.5h) remains
+
+### Example 3: Level Filter With Gap Tolerance
+
+**Configuration:**
+```yaml
+best_price_flex: 15
+best_price_max_level: "cheap"
+best_price_max_level_gap_count: 2  # 2 gaps allowed
+```
+
+**Period candidate (same as above):**
+```
+00:00-02:00:
+  00:00-01:30: CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP
+  01:30-01:45: NORMAL  ← Gap (1 of 2 allowed)
+  01:45-02:00: CHEAP
+```
+
+**Gap tolerance check:**
+- Gaps found: 1 (NORMAL)
+- Max allowed: 2
+- 25% cap: min(2, 8/4) = 2 (8 intervals)
+- Minimum distance: N/A (only 1 gap)
+
+**Result:**
+- ✓ Period stays as a whole: 00:00-02:00 (2h)
+- 1 NORMAL interval is tolerated
+
+### Example 4: Gap Cluster Gets Split
+
+**Configuration:**
+```yaml
+best_price_flex: 15
+best_price_max_level: "cheap"
+best_price_max_level_gap_count: 2
+```
+
+**Period candidate:**
+```
+00:00-04:00 (16 intervals):
+  00:00-01:00: CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP (4)
+  01:00-02:00: NORMAL, NORMAL, NORMAL, NORMAL (4) ← Gap cluster!
+  02:00-04:00: CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP, ..., CHEAP (8)
+```
+
+**Gap tolerance check:**
+- Gaps found: 4 (too many)
+- Max allowed: 2
+- → Normal check fails
+
+**Gap cluster splitting:**
+- Detect cluster: 4× consecutive NORMAL intervals
+- Split period at cluster boundaries:
+  1. 00:00-01:00 (4 intervals = 60 min) ✓
+  2. 02:00-04:00 (8 intervals = 120 min) ✓
+
+**Result:**
+- ✓ Two separate periods: 00:00-01:00 and 02:00-04:00
+- Total 3h best price (instead of complete rejection)
+
+### Example 5: Relaxation in Action
+
+**Configuration:**
+```yaml
+enable_min_periods_best: true
+min_periods_best: 2
+relaxation_step_best: 25
+
+best_price_flex: 10  # Very strict!
+best_price_min_volatility: "high"  # Very strict!
+```
+
+**Day with little price spread:**
+```
+Average: 25.0 ct/kWh
+All prices between 23-27 ct (low volatility)
+```
+
+**Relaxation process:**
+
+1. **Attempt 1:** 10% flex + HIGH volatility
+   ```
+   Threshold: 22.5 ct
+   No period meets both conditions
+   → 0 periods (< 2 required)
+   ```
+
+2. **Attempt 2:** 12.5% flex + HIGH volatility
+   ```
+   Threshold: 21.875 ct
+   Still 0 periods
+   ```
+
+3. **Attempt 3:** Disable volatility filter
+   ```
+   12.5% flex + ANY volatility
+   → 1 period found (< 2)
+   ```
+
+4. **Attempt 4:** 15.625% flex + ANY volatility
+   ```
+   Threshold: 21.09 ct
+   → 2 periods found ✓
+   ```
+
+**Result:**
+- Sensor shows 2 periods with `relaxation_level: "volatility_any"`
+- User knows: "Filters were relaxed to reach minimum count"
+
+---
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### Problem: No Periods Found
+
+**Possible causes:**
+
+1. **Too strict flexibility**
+   ```
+   best_price_flex: 5  # Only 5% cheaper than average
+   ```
+   **Solution:** Increase to 10-15%
+
+2. **Too strict level filter without gap tolerance**
+   ```
+   best_price_max_level: "very_cheap"
+   best_price_max_level_gap_count: 0
+   ```
+   **Solution:** Relax level to "cheap" or enable gap tolerance (1-2)
+
+3. **Too high volatility requirement**
+   ```
+   best_price_min_volatility: "very_high"
+   ```
+   **Solution:** Reduce to "moderate" or "low"
+
+4. **Too long minimum period length**
+   ```
+   best_price_min_period_length: 180  # 3 hours
+   ```
+   **Solution:** Reduce to 60-90 minutes
+
+5. **Day with very small price spread**
+   ```
+   All prices between 24-26 ct (hardly any differences)
+   ```
+   **Solution:** Enable relaxation mechanism:
+   ```yaml
+   enable_min_periods_best: true
+   min_periods_best: 1
+   ```
+
+### Problem: Too Many Periods
+
+**Solution:** Make filters stricter:
+
+```yaml
+best_price_flex: 20  # Reduce to 10-15
+best_price_min_volatility: "moderate"  # Require higher volatility
+best_price_max_level: "cheap"  # Only truly cheap times
+```
+
+### Problem: Periods Are Too Short
+
+**Solution:** Increase minimum length and use gap tolerance:
+
+```yaml
+best_price_min_period_length: 90  # 1.5 hours
+best_price_max_level_gap_count: 2  # Tolerate deviations
+```
+
+### Problem: Periods With "Mediocre" Prices
+
+**Solution:** Increase minimum distance:
+
+```yaml
+best_price_min_distance_from_avg: 5  # Must be 5% below average
+```
+
+### Problem: Relaxation Applied Too Aggressively
+
+**Solution:** Reduce step size:
+
+```yaml
+relaxation_step_best: 10  # Smaller steps (instead of 25)
+```
+
+Or disable relaxation completely:
+
+```yaml
+enable_min_periods_best: false
+```
+
+### Problem: Gap Tolerance Not Working As Expected
+
+**Possible causes:**
+
+1. **Period too short (< 1.5h)**
+   ```
+   Gap tolerance only applies to periods ≥ 1.5h
+   ```
+   **Solution:** Reduce `best_price_min_period_length` or adjust flexibility
+
+2. **25% cap limiting effective gaps**
+   ```
+   Period: 8 intervals, configured 4 gaps
+   → Effective: min(4, 8/4) = 2 gaps
+   ```
+   **Solution:** Accept limitation or relax level filter
+
+3. **Gaps too close together**
+   ```
+   Minimum distance between gaps not maintained
+   ```
+   **Solution:** Increase gap count or accept splitting
+
+---
+
+## Further Documentation
+
+- **[Configuration Guide](configuration.md)** - UI screenshots and step-by-step guide
+- **[Sensors](sensors.md)** - All available sensors and attributes
+- **[Automation Examples](automation-examples.md)** - Practical automation recipes with periods
+- **[Developer Documentation](../development/)** - Code architecture and algorithm details
+
+---
+
+**Questions or feedback?** Open an [issue on GitHub](https://github.com/jpawlowski/hass.tibber_prices/issues)!

docs/user/sensors.md

@@ -2,6 +2,18 @@
 
 > **Note:** This guide is under construction. For now, please refer to the [main README](../../README.md) for available sensors.
 
+## Binary Sensors
+
+### Best Price Period & Peak Price Period
+
+These binary sensors indicate when you're in a detected best or peak price period. See the **[Period Calculation Guide](period-calculation.md)** for a detailed explanation of how these periods are calculated and configured.
+
+**Quick overview:**
+- **Best Price Period**: Turns ON during periods with significantly lower prices than the daily average
+- **Peak Price Period**: Turns ON during periods with significantly higher prices than the daily average
+
+Both sensors include rich attributes with period details, intervals, relaxation status, and more.
+
 ## Core Price Sensors
 
 Coming soon...