# Thread setup (network and USB connection) ## Thread setup for Home Assistant: two options SLZB devices support two ways to run a Thread network with Home Assistant: - **Option A - “Thread to remote OTBR”**: OTBR runs on Home Assistant (OTBR add-on, or, since Jan-2026, called "**App**"), SLZB works as a Thread RCP (radio). - **Option B - “Thread + OTBR running on device”**: OTBR runs directly on the SLZB device, Home Assistant connects to it via REST API. [![slzb-06-thread-otbr.jpg](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2026-03/scaled-1680-/slzb-06-thread-otbr.jpg)](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2026-03/slzb-06-thread-otbr.jpg) --- ### Prerequisites - A server with **Home Assistant** installed and running (example: Raspberry Pi 4 with HAOS). - An **SLZB device** with a Thread-capable radio module. - The **Matter** device you want to connect (example: Eve Energy EU). - An **Android or iOS** smartphone. #### Additional: - **Option A (Thread to remote OTBR):** Available on **ALL SLZB** coordinators. Can run over either **USB** or **network (Serial-over-IP)**. - **Option B (Thread + OTBR on device):** Available on **SLZB-06xU**, **SLZB-MRxU** and **SLZB-Ultima**. OTBR requires **IPv6** on your LAN (IPv6 will be force-enabled on the device when this mode is activated). --- ### Step 1 - Choose your setup option #### Option A: “Thread to remote OTBR” (OTBR add-on/app runs on Home Assistant) Choose this if you want OTBR to run on Home Assistant or other smart home systems. SLZB acts as a **Thread RCP** (radio only). This is the traditional setup, and supports USB or network connection. #### Option B: “Thread + OTBR running on device” (OTBR runs on SLZB) Choose this if you want OTBR to run **directly on the SLZB device**. Home Assistant connects via network API (**http://device-ip:8080**), and you don’t need the OTBR add-on in HA. **Note:** this is an **initial (beta)** integration and may have limitations or unexpected behavior. --- ### Step 2 - Set SLZB mode / firmware #### Option A (Thread to remote OTBR): Flash / select Thread RCP mode - Your device must have an internet connection. - Go to `Mode` and select the "**Thread to remote OTBR**". The device will be reflashed; wait until the update completes. #### Option B (Thread + OTBR on device): Enable OTBR on the device - Your device must have an internet connection. - Go to `Mode` and select **“Thread + OTBR running on device”**. The device will apply the required configuration and services and reboots. - OTBR REST API will be available at **http://device-ip:8080**. --- ### Step 3 - Home Assistant software setup #### 3.1 Install and start Matter Server (required for both options) 1. In Home Assistant go to `Settings` → `Devices & Services`. 2. Click `Add integration` and search for `Matter`. 3. Keep `Use the official Matter Server Supervisor add-on` enabled and click `Submit`. 4. Wait until Matter Integration and Matter Server add-on are installed. 5. Go to `Settings` → `Add-ons` → `Matter Server` and click `Start`. Recommended: enable `Start on boot` and `Watchdog`. --- ### Step 4 - Thread / OTBR setup in Home Assistant #### Option A: OTBR add-on on Home Assistant Install the **OpenThread Border Router** add-on and connect it to the SLZB radio (USB or network). 1. Go to `Settings` → `Add-ons` → `Add-on Store`. 2. Search for `OpenThread Border Router` and click `Install`. 3. Open the add-on and go to the `Configure` tab. ##### Option A - OTBR add-on with **USB** connection 1. Switch the coordinator to USB connection mode (if applicable). 2. Set OTBR add-on parameters: - `Port`: select your SLZB USB serial port. - `Hardware flow control`: **No** - `Baud rate`: **460800** - `Flash firmware`: **No** (use pre-flashed RCP firmware) - Click `Save` 3. Go to `Info` tab and click `Start`. 4. Recommended: enable `Start on boot` and `Watchdog`. ##### Option A - OTBR add-on with **Network** connection (Serial-over-IP) Configure the OTBR add-on to connect to the SLZB network serial endpoint (example: `192.168.1.10:6638`). #### Setting Up the Thread Border Router Add-on (**Network connection**) 1. OTBR config validation issues workarounds. If you have errors like the ones in the screenshots below: [![image.png](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2026-05/scaled-1680-/ZQcimage.png)](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2026-05/ZQcimage.png) [![image.png](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2026-05/scaled-1680-/9nWimage.png)](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2026-05/9nWimage.png) Workarounds: \- [https://github.com/home-assistant/addons/issues/3993#issuecomment-3536041147](https://github.com/home-assistant/addons/issues/3993#issuecomment-3536041147) and [https://github.com/home-assistant/addons/issues/4299#issuecomment-3771514634](https://github.com/home-assistant/addons/issues/4299#issuecomment-3771514634) \- Connect any USB-serial device 2. Configure the addon according to the example below [![image.png](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2026-05/scaled-1680-/aBeimage.png)](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2026-05/aBeimage.png) - Select `Show unused optional configuration options` - `Hardware flow control`: **No**. - `Baud rate`: **460800**. - `Flash firmware`: **No** (we use pre-flashed coordinator) - `Network Device`: Enter the IP and port of your coordinator. (for example 192.168.1.10:6638) - Click `Save`. 4. Go back to the INFO tab and `Start` the OpenThread Border Router add-on. It may take a moment to initialize. We would suggest to activate both `Start on boot` and `Watchdog`. 5. You can check logs, they should say that addon started, although they can contain some errors as Thread and Matter are still under development in Home Assistant. --- #### Option B: OTBR runs on the SLZB device (no OTBR add-on needed) In this option, you **do not** install/use the OTBR add-on in Home Assistant. OTBR is already running on the SLZB device. - Make sure SLZB mode is set to **“Thread + OTBR running on device”**. --- ### Step 5 - Configure Home Assistant integrations (both options) 1. Go to `Settings` → `Devices & Services`. 2. Add (or confirm autodiscovery of) these integrations: - **Thread** - **OpenThread Border Router** **Notes:** - If you use **Option A**, the “OpenThread Border Router” integration will typically use the OTBR add-on. - If you use **Option B**, when asked for the Border Router address, use: **<device-ip>:8080**. In the **Thread** integration: - Set **OpenThread Border Router** as the **Preferred network**. - If available, enable **Use router for Android + iOS credentials**. --- #### Step 6 - Reboot Home Assistant 1. After installing and configuring Matter + Thread components, reboot your Home Assistant server. --- ### Step 7 - Pre-set up your phone 1. Install `Home Assistant` app on your phone. 2. Install `Google Home` app (often required for Thread credential handling on Android). 3. Open Home Assistant app and connect it to your Home Assistant server (same Wi-Fi network). 4. In the app go to `Settings` → `Companion app` → `Troubleshooting` → `Sync Thread Credentials`. 5. Repeat until you see: `Home Assistant and this device use the same network`. 6. If it fails repeatedly, try resetting Google Play Services data (Android) and try again. --- ### Step 8 - Add the Matter-over-Thread device 1. Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone. 2. In Home Assistant app: `Settings` → `Devices & Services` → `Devices`. 3. Tap `+ ADD DEVICE` → `Add Matter device`. 4. Scan the QR code (or enter the pairing code) and follow the on-screen steps. 5. If prompted “Which app to open?”, choose `Other` → `Home Assistant`. The pairing flow usually goes through: - Connecting to device… - Generating Matter credentials… - Connecting device to network… - Checking network connectivity… - Connecting device to Home Assistant… - Device connected! **Tips:** - If the device was powered for a long time, you may need to reset it to enter pairing mode again. - If you have Google/Nest Thread devices and pairing is unstable, try turning them off temporarily while pairing. --- ### Step 9 - Verify connection and control 1. After pairing, the device should appear in Home Assistant under `Devices`. 2. Open it and confirm you can control it (e.g., switch on/off). **Congratulations!** You’ve successfully connected a Matter-over-Thread device to Home Assistant.

**TIP:** Home Assistant Thread documentation: [ https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/thread/ ](https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/thread/)