Apparatus, methods, and computer-readable media for facilitating a programmable smart repeater with in-band control are disclosed herein. An example method for wireless communication at a repeater includes establishing a control link with a control node and receiving, via the control link, a configuration of one or more parameters of the repeater to forward communication between a first wireless device and a second wireless device. The example method also includes transitioning an MT component of the repeater to a power saving mode for at least a period of time after receiving the configuration and forwarding the communication between the first wireless device and the second wireless device based on the one or more parameters in the configuration. The disclosed techniques may enable reduction in control signaling between the control node and the repeater to provide power savings for the MT of the repeater and lower signal overhead for the control node.