Gladys Assistant — Privacy-First Open-Source Home Automation

Introduction

Gladys Assistant is a privacy-first, open-source home automation platform that runs entirely on local hardware. It is designed for users who want smart home control, scenes, and automation without sending data to external cloud services.

What Gladys Does

• Controls Zigbee, Z-Wave, MQTT, and Wi-Fi smart home devices
• Creates scenes and automations triggered by time, device state, or sensor data
• Provides a responsive dashboard for monitoring rooms, devices, and cameras
• Sends notifications via Telegram when automation events occur
• Tracks presence using Bluetooth, network scanning, or GPS location

Architecture Overview

Gladys is a Node.js application with a SQLite database and a Preact-based frontend. It communicates with hardware through integration modules for Zigbee2MQTT, Z-Wave JS, Philips Hue, Sonoff, and other protocols. The system runs as a single Docker container on a Raspberry Pi or any Linux host, keeping all data local on the device's storage.

Self-Hosting & Configuration

• Flash Raspberry Pi OS and install Docker, then run the Gladys container
• Access the web UI to set up rooms, add devices, and configure integrations
• Connect Zigbee devices through a Zigbee2MQTT coordinator
• Define scenes with visual drag-and-drop condition and action builders
• Set up Telegram bot integration for mobile notifications

Key Features

• Fully local operation with no internet connection required after setup
• Built-in camera support with live stream and motion-triggered recording
• Multi-user accounts with per-user dashboards and presence tracking
• Open integration API for connecting custom devices and services
• Lightweight footprint suitable for Raspberry Pi 3 and newer

Comparison with Similar Tools

• Home Assistant — far larger ecosystem but more complex setup and resource-heavy
• OpenHAB — Java-based, powerful rule engine but steeper learning curve
• Domoticz — lightweight but dated UI and smaller community
• Node-RED — flow-based automation but requires separate dashboards and device management
• ioBroker — modular German-origin platform with good Zigbee support but less polished UX

FAQ

Q: Which Zigbee coordinator does Gladys support? A: Any Zigbee2MQTT-compatible coordinator, including Sonoff ZBDongle-P and ConBee II.

Q: Can Gladys run on hardware other than Raspberry Pi? A: Yes. Any Linux machine with Docker support works, including x86 servers and NAS devices.

Q: Does Gladys support voice assistants? A: Gladys focuses on dashboard and automation control. Voice integration is not a core feature.

Q: How does Gladys compare to Home Assistant in scope? A: Gladys is intentionally smaller and simpler. It covers common smart home use cases without the complexity of a full platform.

Sources

• https://github.com/GladysAssistant/Gladys
• https://gladysassistant.com