[Core/ZHA] Investigate child device support #73

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1. TheJulianJES

   added this to ZHAon Dec 10, 2025
2. TheJulianJES

   moved this to Triage in ZHAon Dec 10, 2025
3. TheJulianJES

   added a parent issue on Jan 16, 2026

   • Transition protocol integrations to use subdevices home-assistant/epics#23
4. Hedda commented on Jan 21, 2026

   

   Hedda

   on Jan 21, 2026

   Last edited by Hedda

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   I believe this could also be very relevant to ESPHome-based Zigbee devices now that such are possible since ESPHome 2026.1.0

   • https://esphome.io/changelog/2026.1.0/

     • https://esphome.io/changelog/2026.1.0/#zigbee-support-for-nrf52

       • https://esphome.io/components/zigbee/

   ESPHome at least have native sub-device support for allow creating multiple sub-devices within a single ESP controller for logical entity grouping in Home Assistant:

   • https://www.esphome.io/components/esphome/#sub-devices

   ESPHome supports creating sub-devices within a single ESP controller. This allows you to group entities into logical devices that appear separately in Home Assistant. This is particularly useful when:

   • One ESP acts as a hub/gateway for multiple physical devices (RF bridges, Modbus devices, etc.)
   • A single ESP controls multiple zones or rooms
   • You want better organization of entities in Home Assistant
5. Hedda commented on Jan 21, 2026

   

   Hedda

   on Jan 21, 2026

   More actions

   ESPHome at least have native sub-device support for allow creating multiple sub-devices within a single ESP controller:

   • https://www.esphome.io/components/esphome/#sub-devices

   Sub-device support was by the way initially added in 2025.7.0 and the release notes for that goes into some details how it function:

   • https://esphome.io/changelog/2025.7.0/#sub-device-support

   Sub-Device Support

   Note

   New Feature: Entities can now be organized into logical sub-devices, enabling better organization
   and area management in Home Assistant.

   ESPHome now supports sub-devices, a powerful new feature that allows you to logically group entities from a single
   physical ESPHome device into multiple virtual devices within Home Assistant. This is particularly useful for complex
   setups where one ESP32 controls sensors or actuators in different areas of your home.

   Use cases and benefits:

   • Multi-room sensors - One ESP32 with temperature sensors in different rooms can appear as separate devices per room

   • Complex automation hubs - A single ESP32 controlling lights, fans, and sensors across multiple areas

   • Better Home Assistant organization - Entities automatically appear in the correct areas and can be managed
     independently

   • Cleaner dashboards - Related entities are grouped together logically rather than by physical device

   How it works:

   You can assign entities to sub-devices using the new device_id configuration option. First, define your devices
   in the devices section under esphome:, then reference them in individual entities.

   Example configuration:

   esphome:
     name: multi_room_controller
   
     # Define areas (optional)
     areas:
       - id: living_room_area
         name: "Living Room"
       - id: bedroom_area
         name: "Bedroom"
   
     # Define devices
     devices:
       - id: living_room_device
         name: "Living Room Sensors"
         area_id: living_room_area
       - id: bedroom_device
         name: "Bedroom Sensors"
         area_id: bedroom_area
   
   # Assign sensors to different devices
   sensor:
     - platform: dht
       pin: GPIO4
       temperature:
         name: "Living Room Temperature"
         device_id: living_room_device
       humidity:
         name: "Living Room Humidity"
         device_id: living_room_device
   
     - platform: dht
       pin: GPIO5
       temperature:
         name: "Bedroom Temperature"
         device_id: bedroom_device
       humidity:
         name: "Bedroom Humidity"
         device_id: bedroom_device

   In this example, Home Assistant will see two separate sensor devices (one for living room, one for bedroom)
   even though they're controlled by a single ESPHome device.

   This feature enhances the logical organization of your smart home while maintaining the efficiency of
   centralized ESPHome device management.
6. github-project-automation

   added this to Home Assistant Roadmapon Mar 5, 2026
7. jlpouffier

   removed this from Home Assistant Roadmapon Mar 5, 2026
8. zigpy-review-bot

   set

   Area

   to

   HA CoreZHA

   on Oct 10, 2026
9. zigpy-review-bot

   added the

   Feature

   issue type on Oct 10, 2026
10. zigpy-review-bot

    moved this from Triage to Later in ZHAon Oct 10, 2026
11. zigpy-review-bot

    updated Priority ➡️ Normal and Size 🦑 Large on Oct 10, 2026
12. TheJulianJES

    changed the title [-][Core/ZHA] Investigate sub-device support[/-] [+][Core/ZHA] Investigate child device support[/+] on Oct 19, 2026