From Zero to Hero: Mastering Aqara's Developer Tools

Developer Hub
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Okay, so I’m not gonna lie—two weeks ago, I didn’t even know Aqara had developer tools. I just wanted smart lights and motion sensors that didn’t suck. Fast-forward to now, and I’ve got automations running that feel straight outta sci-fi. Thought I’d share my beginner-to-“almost-expert” journey in case anyone else wants to play around beyond the basics.

I started with the M3 hub and a couple of sensors. Figured I’d poke around the Developer Mode in the Aqara app (Settings > Advanced > Developer Options—it’s kinda hidden), and boom, a whole new world opened. You can sniff device logs, create custom scenes, and even get JSON level details for events? Mind. Blown.

Then I stumbled into the API docs on their dev portal. Hooked up Postman just to mess around and now I have my air purifier turning off when the bedroom AQI is clean for 30 mins—and it actually works! Way more flexible than what the app gives you.

Also, local network access + MQTT integration was surprisingly smooth once I got the hang of it. Still learning the HA (Home Assistant) side of things, but damn it’s powerful stuff.

Just curious—anyone else diving into the dev tools? Any cool use cases or tricks I should try next? I’m lowkey addicted to tweaking this setup now.

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@AlexaAficionado Thank you for sharing your exciting journey from a beginner to an “almost-expert” in using Aqara’s developer tools! It’s truly fascinating to see how diving into the Developer Mode and exploring the API docs can open up new horizons for smart home automation. Your use case of integrating Postman to control the air purifier based on the AQI is a fantastic example of the flexibility these tools offer beyond the app’s basic functionalities.

Your exploration into local network access and MQTT integration is quite impressive as well. It’s great to hear that you’re experimenting with Home Assistant—it’s indeed a powerful platform that can significantly enhance your smart home setup.

I’d love to hear more about your experiences and any new tricks or use cases you discover as you continue to tweak your setup. Your story is a great inspiration for others who might be hesitant to delve into the technical possibilities Aqara offers. Keep experimenting, and feel free to share more of your findings with the community!