Show notes
Rob joins Phil and Rohan from New Zealand to share how he replaced 15 smart-home apps with Home Assistant. Discover his AI-assisted workflow using VS Code, Claude Code, Codex, Git, YAML documentation, solar optimisation, camera-powered number plate recognition, and a resilient smart-home network.
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Show notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA249
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Chapters
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:00 Escaping the app overload
00:07:00 First automations and Wi-Fi devices
00:10:00 Batteries, presence sensors and vacuums
00:17:00 UniFi network and Home Assistant upgrade
00:20:00 Solar, Modbus and energy optimisation
00:23:00 AI coding workflow with VS Code
00:33:00 OpenCode, MCP and custom workflows
00:37:00 AI documentation and automation intent
00:42:00 Fail-safe smart home design
00:45:00 AI camera gate recognition
00:50:00 Security, modes and alarm integration
00:54:00 Backup power and future projects
01:01:00 Advice for a new setup
This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors
Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa
Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Sign up for your free trial in your Home Assistant system: https://my.home-assistant.io/redirect/cloud/ or visit https://nabucasa.com
Zooz
If you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.
For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.com
Apollo Automation
Apollo Automation are the makers of open source smart home sensors built for the Home Assistant ecosystem. They're an official Open Home Foundation commercial partner and their devices are built with local control, privacy, and reliability in mind, giving you full control and flexibility right out of the box.
Want Phil to help with your smart home?
You’ve heard him troubleshoot Home Assistant on the podcast. Now you can book him to troubleshoot yours. From broken automations and confusing YAML to dashboards, devices, and complete smart home setups: https://smarthomecto.com
Products Discussed
AirGradient air-quality sensor: https://www.airgradient.com/
Home Assistant Connect ZWA2 (Z‑Wave radio): https://amzn.to/3MfPzsP
Aqara FP300 presence sensor: https://amzn.to/3LpkZ02
Products we Recommend
Hosts
Phil Hawthorne
Website
Twitter: @philhawthorne
Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com
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Rohan Karamandi
Website
Twitter: @rohank9
Buy Rohan a Coffee
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