Hardware Setup

This guide walks through physically assembling and connecting your Raspberry Pi hardware in preparation for installing Home Assistant OS.

If you haven’t gathered your components yet, see Raspberry Pi + Home Assistant for the full list of required and optional hardware.

Pre-Assembled Brain

If you purchased a pre-assembled Raspberry Pi Home Assistant brain (or already have yours built), skip to Step 2: Connect to Ethernet.

Step 1: Assemble Your Hardware

There are many Raspberry Pi cases, NVMe expansion boards, and cooling solutions available. Assembly varies by kit, so follow the instructions that came with your specific components.

General assembly typically involves:

1. Install the NVMe SSD into your expansion HAT or case’s M.2 slot
2. Mount the Raspberry Pi into the case or onto the expansion board
3. Attach cooling - install heatsinks, thermal pads, or connect the cooling fan
4. Close the case and secure any screws

Tip: If your case includes a Zigbee module (like the Argon ONE V5 with Industria), install it now per the manufacturer’s instructions. USB Zigbee dongles can be plugged in later.

Step 2: Connect to Ethernet

Plug an Ethernet cable into:

• The Ethernet port on your Raspberry Pi
• An available port on your router or network switch

Ethernet is required for the initial Home Assistant setup. You can switch to WiFi later if needed.

Step 3: Connect Power

Plug the power supply into your Raspberry Pi.

Ensure your power supply is switched on if it has a switch.

The device will likely boot automatically - Many raspberry pi cases have no power button. If your case has a power button, press it once. You’ll see indicator lights come on, and the fan (if equipped) will spin up.

Wait 2-3 minutes for the initial boot to complete before proceeding.

Next Steps

Your hardware is ready. Continue to System Configuration to install and set up Home Assistant OS.