How to Lift Your Custom Components to External Components

Oct 13, 2025 by thesweetdesigns.com 116 views

Custom Component Support Removed in ESPHome: A Guide to Lifting Your Components to External Components

Introduction

As a user of ESPHome, you may have encountered the recent change in their guidelines regarding custom components. In a move to improve the overall user experience and simplify the development process, ESPHome has removed support for custom components. This change has left many users wondering how to adapt their existing custom components to the new framework. In this article, we will explore the implications of this change and provide a step-by-step guide on how to lift your custom components to external components.

What are Custom Components in ESPHome?

Before we dive into the details of the change, let's first understand what custom components are in ESPHome. Custom components are user-created components that can be integrated into ESPHome to provide additional functionality. These components can range from simple sensors and actuators to complex automation rules and scenes. Custom components are typically created using the ESPHome YAML configuration file and can be shared with the community through external repositories.

Why was Custom Component Support Removed?

The decision to remove support for custom components was made to improve the overall user experience and simplify the development process. By removing custom components, ESPHome aims to reduce the complexity of the configuration file and make it easier for users to create and manage their scenes and automations. Additionally, this change will allow ESPHome to focus on developing and maintaining a smaller set of core components, which will lead to improved stability and security.

What are External Components?

External components are pre-built components that can be integrated into ESPHome using a Git repository. These components are maintained by the community and can be easily updated and shared with others. External components are a great way to lift your custom components to the external component ecosystem, where they can be easily discovered and used by others.

How to Lift Your Custom Components to External Components

Lifting your custom components to external components is a relatively straightforward process. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Step 1: Create a Git Repository for Your Custom Component

The first step is to create a Git repository for your custom component. This will allow you to share your component with the community and make it easily discoverable. You can create a new repository on GitHub or any other Git hosting platform.

Step 2: Configure Your ESPHome YAML File

Once you have created your Git repository, you need to configure your ESPHome YAML file to use the external component. You can do this by adding the following code to your YAML file:

external_components:
  - source:
      type: git
      url: https://github.com/your-username/your-repo-name
    components: [ your-component-name ]

Replace your-username and your-repo-name with your actual Git repository details.

Step 3: Test Your External Component

After configuring your ESPHome YAML file, you need to test your external component to ensure it is working as expected. You can do this by running the esphome command with the --test flag:

esphome --test

This will run a series of tests to ensure your external component is working correctly.

Example Use Case: Lifting a Custom Component to an External Component

Let's say you have a custom component that controls a relay module. You have created a Git repository for this component and want to lift it to an external component. Here's an example of how you can configure your ESPHome YAML file to use the external component:

external_components:
  - source:
      type: git
      url: https://github.com/your-username/relay-component
    components: [ relay ]

In this example, we have created a Git repository for the relay component and configured the ESPHome YAML file to use the external component. We have also added the relay component to the components list.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the removal of custom component support in ESPHome is a significant change that requires users to adapt their existing custom components to the new framework. By lifting your custom components to external components, you can take advantage of the benefits of the external component ecosystem, including improved stability, security, and discoverability. In this article, we have provided a step-by-step guide on how to lift your custom components to external components, including creating a Git repository, configuring your ESPHome YAML file, and testing your external component. We hope this guide has been helpful in assisting you in adapting to the new ESPHome framework.
Frequently Asked Questions: Custom Component Support Removed in ESPHome

Introduction

As a user of ESPHome, you may have encountered the recent change in their guidelines regarding custom components. In a move to improve the overall user experience and simplify the development process, ESPHome has removed support for custom components. This change has left many users wondering how to adapt their existing custom components to the new framework. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the removal of custom component support in ESPHome.

Q: What is the reason behind the removal of custom component support in ESPHome?

A: The decision to remove support for custom components was made to improve the overall user experience and simplify the development process. By removing custom components, ESPHome aims to reduce the complexity of the configuration file and make it easier for users to create and manage their scenes and automations.

Q: What are external components in ESPHome?

A: External components are pre-built components that can be integrated into ESPHome using a Git repository. These components are maintained by the community and can be easily updated and shared with others. External components are a great way to lift your custom components to the external component ecosystem, where they can be easily discovered and used by others.

Q: How do I lift my custom components to external components?

A: Lifting your custom components to external components is a relatively straightforward process. You can create a Git repository for your custom component, configure your ESPHome YAML file to use the external component, and test your external component to ensure it is working as expected.

Q: What are the benefits of using external components in ESPHome?

A: Using external components in ESPHome provides several benefits, including improved stability, security, and discoverability. External components are maintained by the community, which means they are regularly updated and tested to ensure they are working correctly. Additionally, external components can be easily discovered and used by others, making it easier to share and collaborate on projects.

Q: Can I still use my custom components in ESPHome?

A: While custom components are no longer supported in ESPHome, you can still use them by lifting them to external components. This will allow you to take advantage of the benefits of the external component ecosystem, including improved stability, security, and discoverability.

Q: How do I configure my ESPHome YAML file to use external components?

A: To configure your ESPHome YAML file to use external components, you need to add the following code to your YAML file:

external_components:
  - source:
      type: git
      url: https://github.com/your-username/your-repo-name
    components: [ your-component-name ]

Replace your-username and your-repo-name with your actual Git repository details.

Q: How do I test my external component?

A: To test your external component, you can run the esphome command with the --test flag:

esphome --test

This will run a series of tests to ensure your external component is working correctly.

Q: What if I encounter issues with my external component?

A: If you encounter issues with your external component, you can try the following:

Check the ESPHome documentation and community forums for solutions to common issues.
Reach out to the ESPHome community for help and support.
File a bug report or issue on the ESPHome GitHub repository.

Q: Can I contribute to the ESPHome community and help maintain external components?

A: Yes, you can contribute to the ESPHome community and help maintain external components. You can create a Git repository for your custom component, contribute to the ESPHome documentation and community forums, and help maintain external components.