Want to use custom integrations, themes, or dashboard cards that aren't in Home Assistant's default catalog? Then you need HACS – the Home Assistant Community Store. (For what HACS actually is, see What is HACS?.) HACS is the first thing I set up on every fresh Home Assistant instance – most of my own setup, from KNX automations to PV monitoring, relies on integrations that only exist there. This guide walks you through installing HACS step by step – from download to GitHub authorization to your first integration.
Prerequisites
A running Home Assistant installation. You need to know which type you run (HAOS/Supervised vs. Container/Core) – the install method differs.
Container / Core: terminal access to the config directory. HAOS / Supervised: no terminal needed.
A free GitHub account – HACS loads its integrations through GitHub.
Install HACS step by step
1. Download HACS
HAOS / Supervised (the most common setup): go to Settings → Add-ons → Add-on Store → ⋮ (top right) → Repositories, and add https://github.com/hacs/addons. Then install the Get HACS add-on, start it, and follow the instructions in the add-on logs.
Container / Core: run the official installer inside your Home Assistant config directory:
wget -O - https://get.hacs.xyz | bash -
2. Restart Home Assistant
Go to Settings → System → Restart. Home Assistant only detects the new integration after a restart.
3. Add the HACS integration
Go to Settings → Devices & Services → Add Integration and search for HACS. Important: HACS only shows up after you clear your browser cache or do a hard refresh – this is the most common "HACS doesn't appear" cause. Then acknowledge the statements and submit.
4. Authorize with GitHub and finish
HACS uses a GitHub device OAuth flow: copy the device code it shows, open github.com/login/device, sign in, enter the code, and authorize HACS. Back in Home Assistant, assign HACS to an area and select Finish.
5. Install your first integration
HACS now appears in your sidebar. Open it, browse the available integrations, install one, and restart Home Assistant. That's it.
Common problems
HACS doesn't appear in the integration list: clear your browser cache or hard-refresh (officially the most common cause), and double-check you restarted Home Assistant.
HACS stays empty: the GitHub authorization (step 4) was skipped.
GitHub rate limit: wait a few minutes and run the authorization again.
Frequently asked questions
Is HACS free?
Yes – HACS is open source and completely free.
Do I need a GitHub account?
Yes – HACS loads its integrations through GitHub, so a free account is required.
Does HACS work with Home Assistant Container or Core?
Yes – the one-line installer works on all installation types. On HAOS, the Get HACS add-on is the easiest route.
How do I update HACS integrations?
HACS shows available updates directly in its panel; a single click plus a restart is enough.
Next step
HACS is up and running. Next, learn what HACS is and why it's a must-have for every Home Assistant user in What is HACS?.
