Home Assistant has enabled a new Matter implementation for beta testers in its latest update, marking a major shift for the open-source smart home platform. The move transitions the underlying infrastructure from the standard C++ software development kit to “Matter.js,” a TypeScript and JavaScript implementation now funded and managed by the Open Home Foundation.
A new technical foundation
The update arrives with version 8.2.0 of the Matter Server add-on. Until now, Home Assistant relied on a Python server that wrapped the official C++ SDK provided by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA). While functional, the original SDK was primarily designed for embedded devices with limited resources, making it less than ideal for the complex operations required by a smart home controller.
The new backend uses Matter.js, a lightweight and flexible implementation donated to the foundation by developer Ingo Fischer, who now works for the organization full-time. The goal is to create a more robust library that speeds up development for bridges, controllers, and end applications. By supporting a second independent implementation of the standard, the foundation aims to validate the spec and improve accessibility for developers who find JavaScript easier to work with than C++. This shift is expected to allow for faster bug fixes and more agile feature implementation compared to waiting for updates to the reference SDK.
How to upgrade
The beta is available immediately for users running the Home Assistant Operating System. To enable it, users must upgrade the Matter Server add-on to the latest version 8.2.0. Once updated, the option can be found under the “Configuration” tab of the add-on settings, where a toggle for the “Beta” version is available. For developers working with non-production hardware, the system allows for the addition of the “--enable-test-net-dcl” argument to enable Test-Net Distributed Compliance Ledger mode.
However, we strongly advise against using this beta in production installations. Early reports indicate that migration can result in temporary device unavailability or connectivity issues as the new server takes over. And some identified issues would be fixed soon.
So before testing the new Matter server, please create a full backup or a snapshot if running in a virtual machine. You can provide feedback regarding any issues in the official Home Assistant community channels, including the forum, Reddit, and Discord.
What’s next?
This migration is a stepping stone toward official certification. As the new server enters the beta phase, Home Assistant is expected to recover its regular fast adoption of the latest spec. The foundation noted in a previous public post that the new Matter Server based on Matter.js would eventually be certified officially. It means the new server would be well-tested by the lab for a qualified experience like the previous server.
Following the current Matter 1.4.2 implementation, the next move is the Matter 1.5 upgrade. Or let’s say the platform is getting closer to native Matter camera support, a feature highly anticipated by the community. These changes are also expected to streamline other projects based on Matter.js, such as OpenHAB, creating a shared benefit across the open smart home ecosystem.
The foundation told Matter Alpha that Matter 1.5 will be the next focus once the “beta Matter.js based server is stable.” They added that OHF will continue the certification of the server under both 1.4.2 and 1.5 spec to “keep pace with Matter.”
Regarding compatibility, the foundation confirmed that the new server “supports the same custom clusters as the current iteration,” meaning custom clusters utilized by specific device manufacturers will continue to work and accept future additions.
(Source: Home Assistant, Open Home Foundation)
