Terminal command fails:

Try the curl version: curl -sfSL https://get.hacs.xyz | bash -

HACS not in Add Integration after restart:

Confirm files exist: ls /config/custom_components/hacs/ in the terminal.

The code expires after 15 minutes. Remove the HACS integration and add it again to get a fresh code.

Three-dot menu -> Reload data. HACS fetches the catalogue from GitHub on first load and needs internet access.

Integration installs but not in Add Integration:

Restart HA fully after downloading. Config reload is not enough.

How to Install HACS — The Home Assistant Community Store

Andrea Leandri
5 days ago
3 min read

Skill level: Beginner | Time to complete: 20-30 minutes

What you'll build: A working HACS installation that lets you add thousands of community-built integrations, custom cards, and add-ons to Home Assistant - unlocking everything from PS5 detection to WhatsApp notifications that the official HA store does not cover.

What Is HACS?

Home Assistant ships with a solid set of official integrations, but the community has built thousands more - for devices and services that are too niche for the core project. HACS (Home Assistant Community Store) is the front-end for all of that. Once installed, it adds a store-like interface inside HA where you can browse, install, and update community integrations in one click.

Without HACS, installing a community integration means manually downloading files, placing them in the right directory, editing config files, and restarting - and repeating all of that for every update. With HACS it is: search, install, restart. Updates appear as notifications, same as official HA updates.

What You'll Need

Home Assistant OS or Supervised - HA Green, Raspberry Pi with official image, or any HA OS installation
GitHub account - free, HACS uses it to authenticate and download integrations
Terminal & SSH add-on - built into the HA add-on store, needed for the installation command

Step 1: Install the Terminal & SSH Add-on

Settings -> Add-ons -> Add-on Store -> search Terminal & SSH. Install the one by the Home Assistant team. In the Configuration tab, set a password. Start the add-on, enable Show in sidebar, then click Open Web UI. You should see a terminal prompt: root@homeassistant:~#

Step 2: Create a GitHub Account

Go to github.com and sign up for a free account. Verify your email. If you already have one, you are ready.

Step 3: Run the HACS Installation Command

In the Terminal window, paste this command and press Enter:

wget -O - https://get.hacs.xyz | bash -

The script downloads HACS files and places them in /config/custom_components/hacs/. It takes about 30-60 seconds and prints HACS installation complete when done.

If wget is not found, try: curl -sfSL https://get.hacs.xyz | bash -

Step 4: Restart Home Assistant

Settings -> System -> Restart -> Restart Home Assistant. Wait 30-60 seconds for HA to come back up.

Step 5: Add HACS as an Integration

Settings -> Devices & Services -> Add Integration -> search HACS. Click it. A setup screen appears with acknowledgement checkboxes confirming you understand HACS installs community content. Tick all of them and click Submit.

Step 6: Authenticate with GitHub

HACS shows you a device activation code - an 8-character string like AB12-CD34. Open github.com/login/device in a new tab, sign in, enter the code, and click Authorize hacs. Return to HA - setup completes automatically within a few seconds.

Step 7: HACS Is Now in Your Sidebar

HACS appears in the left sidebar. Click it. You will see three tabs: Integrations (most commonly used), Frontend (custom cards and themes), and Automations (blueprint automations). The store populates with thousands of entries.

How to Install a HACS Integration

This is the same process every time:

HACS -> Integrations -> search for what you need
Click the result -> Download -> choose the latest version -> Download
Restart Home Assistant
After restart: Settings -> Devices & Services -> Add Integration ->search the integration name to configure it

Download installs the files. Restart loads them. Integration setup configures the connection. Same pattern every time.

How to Add a Custom Repository

Some integrations are not in the main HACS store yet and are available as custom repositories on GitHub. HACS -> Integrations -> three-dot menu top right -> Custom repositories. Paste the GitHub repository URL, set category to Integration, click Add. The repository then appears in your list and installs like any other.

Security note: Only add custom repositories from sources you trust. HACS community integrations go through basic vetting; custom repositories do not.

Guides on This Site That Use HACS

WhatsApp Notifications from Home Assistant - requires FaserF's WhatsApp add-on via HACS
PS5 Cinema Mode - requires PS5MQTT via HACS

Troubleshooting

Terminal command fails: Try the curl version: curl -sfSL https://get.hacs.xyz | bash -
HACS not in Add Integration after restart: Confirm files exist: ls /config/custom_components/hacs/ in the terminal.
GitHub code expired: The code expires after 15 minutes. Remove the HACS integration and add it again to get a fresh code.
Store is empty: Three-dot menu -> Reload data. HACS fetches the catalogue from GitHub on first load and needs internet access.
Integration installs but not in Add Integration: Restart HA fully after downloading. Config reload is not enough.

Guide written by a Home Assistant enthusiast in Utrecht. HACS is the single best thing you can add to a fresh HA installation - install it early and thank yourself later.