Home Assistant rebuilds Matter on matter.js: more stable, with a map of your network
Home Assistant just took one of its biggest smart-home steps yet: it completely rebuilt the engine that powers Matter —the standard that lets devices from different brands speak the same language— on top of matter.js. The result is a more stable setup that starts faster, is more secure, and now shows you a visual map of your network. Here's what it means for your smart home.
What changed: Matter now runs on matter.js
Until now, Home Assistant's Matter Server was built in Python on top of the official C++ Matter SDK. It worked, but it couldn't keep pace with open-source development. The new version rewrites that engine on matter.js, an open-source TypeScript implementation of the Matter standard that already underpins much of the ecosystem (from Homebridge to openHAB).
In practice, all the benefits of matter.js —speed, flexibility and a very active community— now flow directly into Home Assistant.
"Matter Server 9.0": a drop-in replacement, no headaches
The update ships as the "Matter Server 9.0" add-on, a fully compatible drop-in replacement for the previous Python-based server. Once you update the add-on, it migrates your data automatically on the first start and works exactly as before. Nothing to reconfigure.
Faster and more secure
The real gains show up on every server start and device reconnection: devices come back online much faster, the network is more responsive, and over-the-air (OTA) updates are more reliable.
Security got tighter too: when commissioning new devices, those carrying only a development/test certificate can no longer be added out of the box, keeping untrusted gear off your network without your knowledge. The server now also checks certificate revocation data during commissioning, adding another layer of protection.
A map of your Thread and Wi-Fi network (the showstopper)
The star of this release is the new network visualization in the Matter Server web UI. It shows your whole network at a glance: each device appears as a node, with icons indicating its role —leader (crown), router (arrows), a sleepy device, or another end device—.
The color of the links between nodes reflects connection quality: green is strong, orange medium, red weak and gray no signal. It's especially helpful on Thread networks, where there can be several "hops" between a device and the border router, and where the devices themselves decide how data is routed. It also helps with Wi-Fi gear: you can easily see which device is connected to which access point, and at what signal quality.
Matter 1.5.1 and Thread 1.4: ready for what's next
The update moves to the Matter 1.5.1 specification (with 1.6 on the way) and, together with an updated OpenThread Border Router (OTBR) supporting Thread 1.4, leaves Home Assistant better prepared for new Matter device types: cameras, smart doorbells and closures.
Why it matters
Matter already runs in 38% of Home Assistant instances and ranks as the twelfth most popular integration — a clear sign of where the smart home is heading. Fewer compatibility headaches, more device choice, and a home that "just works." This update is a huge step in that direction.