Home Assistant Core

Home Assistant Core is the fundamental software that powers the Home Assistant ecosystem, providing a platform for home automation without the added overhead of additional components like operating systems or containerized management. It contains the essential features for automating and controlling smart home devices, such as integrations, automations, and user interfaces, but requires the user to handle the installation, configuration, and management of the underlying operating system and dependencies. This version of Home Assistant is designed for users who prefer to have complete control over the software environment and want to run Home Assistant on their existing systems without the need for a dedicated OS or containerization.

The key distinction of Home Assistant Core from other Home Assistant installations, like Home Assistant OS or Home Assistant Supervised, is its lean nature. Home Assistant OS provides an all-in-one solution, including both the core software and a pre-configured OS for ease of use, while Home Assistant Supervised offers a similar setup with additional tools for managing the installation. In contrast, Home Assistant Core is the raw automation engine that can be installed directly onto an operating system, often in environments like Linux servers or virtual machines. This gives advanced users the freedom to customize the installation to their needs, but it also means they are responsible for updates, system management, and ensuring all dependencies are properly configured. it is the best option for those who want to fully control their setup while leveraging the powerful automation features of Home Assistant.