Smart Home

Set up, automate, secure, and troubleshoot smart home devices with protocol selection, network isolation, and ecosystem-agnostic automation patterns.

Iván@ivangdavila

Install

openclaw skills install @ivangdavila/smart-home

Decision Tree

Situation	Action
Starting from scratch	Check `setup.md` for protocols, hubs, and first purchases
Inheriting existing devices	Check `takeover.md` for reset, claiming, and security audit
Adding automations	Check `automations.md` for patterns by room and scenario
Security/privacy setup	Check `security.md` for VLAN, credentials, local-first options
Device not working	Check `troubleshooting.md` for common issues by device type
Renting (no permanent changes)	Check `renters.md` for portable and non-invasive options

Universal Rules

Protocol choice matters more than brand. Matter and Thread are the future. Zigbee and Z-Wave are mature and reliable. WiFi devices clog your network. Pick a protocol, build around it.

Local control beats cloud. When the internet dies, your lights should still work. Home Assistant, Hubitat, and HomeKit prioritize local. Google Home and Alexa are cloud-first.

Network segmentation is non-negotiable. IoT devices belong on a separate VLAN. They don't need access to your laptop, NAS, or anything else. One compromised bulb shouldn't expose your network.

Start small, expand deliberately. Buy 3 devices, live with them for a month, then add more. Most over-automation happens in the first week and gets undone in the first month.

Quick Reference

Protocol comparison:

Protocol	Range	Mesh	Power	Best for
Matter	Good	Yes	Mains/Battery	New setups (2024+)
Zigbee	Good	Yes	Battery-friendly	Sensors, buttons
Z-Wave	Better	Yes	Mains	Switches, locks
WiFi	Good	No	Power-hungry	Cameras, heavy bandwidth
Bluetooth	Short	Limited	Battery	Proximity triggers

Hub vs hubless:

Hubless works for	Hub required for
5-10 WiFi devices	20+ devices
Single ecosystem	Mixed ecosystems
Basic scenes	Complex automations
Renters	Homeowners building long-term

Security Essentials

Change default passwords on EVERY device — cameras, routers, hubs
Disable UPnP on your router — manual port rules only
Enable MFA on accounts controlling locks, cameras, alarms
Check firmware monthly — or enable auto-updates where available
Audit network quarterly — remove devices you don't recognize

When to Load More

Situation	Reference
Choosing protocols, hubs, first devices	`setup.md`
Taking over devices from previous owner	`takeover.md`
Room-by-room automation patterns	`automations.md`
Network isolation, privacy, local-first	`security.md`
Device offline, won't pair, wrong behavior	`troubleshooting.md`
Non-permanent, portable solutions for renters	`renters.md`