Top open source smart home platform Home Assistant plans to replace its core Matter component with Matter.js – a move designed to power up related projects.
Home Assistant has been using the Python Matter Server add-on to power its Matter integration since June 2022, before the official release of the Matter 1.0 specification. That add-on acts as a wrapper around the official Matter SDK, which is written in C++. According to Home Assistant staff on the platform’s official Discord channel, the C++-based approach is expected to be replaced by Matter.js.
A brief timeline of Matter.js
Matter.js originated as an open source project led by community developers, most notably Ingo Fischer. It provides a TypeScript/JavaScript implementation of the Matter specification, making Matter development across different software and hardware platforms easier.
The project has grown rapidly and is now used by some notable projects such as Luligu/Matterbridge, a Matter plug-in manager that can bring devices from Shelly, Home Assistant and Zigbee2MQTT into Matter ecosystems. Other adopters listed on GitHub include ioBroker Matter Adapter, Node-RED Matter Bridge and Gladys Assistant.
Initially nested in the official CHIP (Matter) repository, the codebase was later moved to a dedicated matter-js repo. Last month, the maintainer Ingo Fischer joined the Open Home Foundation as Lead Developer for Matter.js, committing full time to the project, as showed on Linkedin.
Then, Home Assistant users on Monday noticed that ownership of the Python Matter Server add-on shifted under the matter-js repo. A contributor later confirmed that Home Assistant is in the process of migrating its Matter integration to Matter.js.
Why this matters
While the transition is a technical one, it might be less noticeable for average users. However, those using Matter with open-source software are likely to benefit from the change from now on.
In other words, technically, the community would expect a certified, open source, high-quality, flexible, and fully featured Matter implementation.
Compared with the raw C++ Matter SDK, a TypeScript/JavaScript-based component is more adaptable. With backing from the Open Home Foundation, Matter.js is expected to achieve official Matter certification, ensuring it is well maintained and properly tested by a Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA)-recognized lab.
While more open source projects adopt Matter.js, this migration will foster growth and collaboration, strengthening the entire ecosystem. However, the transition remains a work in progress, and further updates from the Open Home Foundation may come soon.
As of press time, Matter Alpha has not yet received an official response from the Open Home Foundation.
(Source: Discord; Image sources: GitHub, Home Assistant)
