Get HA Version & System Info: Ha_get_system_version Tool

Nov 26, 2025 by Alex Johnson 57 views

Get Home Assistant Version & System Info: Introducing the ha_get_system_version Tool

This article explores the new ha_get_system_version tool, designed to retrieve crucial information about your Home Assistant instance. This tool is a key component in enhancing the user experience, particularly for features like update assistance and system management. As a sub-issue of the broader efforts to update the Assistant (#69) and improve System Management (#105), ha_get_system_version lays the groundwork for more intelligent and automated interactions with your smart home system. Let's dive into the details of this valuable addition.

Summary: The Purpose of `ha_get_system_version`

The primary goal of the ha_get_system_version tool is to provide a simple and efficient way to access the current Home Assistant version and essential system information. This information is vital for various use cases, including checking for updates, ensuring compatibility with new integrations, and troubleshooting issues. By making this data readily available, users can better manage their Home Assistant installations and keep their systems running smoothly. This tool acts as a foundation, enabling more advanced features and automations in the future.

Proposed Tool: How it Works

The tool is implemented as a Python function decorated with @mcp.tool(), making it accessible within the Home Assistant environment. Here’s a snippet of the proposed tool:

@mcp.tool()
async def ha_get_system_version() -> dict:
    """
    Get Home Assistant version and basic system information.
    
    Returns current version, installation type, and system details.
    """

This function, when called, will return a dictionary containing key system information. The use of async indicates that the function is designed to operate asynchronously, ensuring that it doesn't block the Home Assistant event loop and maintains system responsiveness. The function's docstring clearly outlines its purpose, making it easy for developers and users to understand its functionality. The use of a dictionary as a return type allows for a structured and easily accessible representation of the system information.

Technical Implementation: Under the Hood

The technical implementation of ha_get_system_version leverages the Home Assistant REST API. Specifically, it uses the /api/config endpoint to retrieve configuration details. This endpoint provides a wealth of information about the Home Assistant instance, including its version, installed components, configuration directory, and timezone. The implementation involves making an asynchronous call to the API and parsing the response to extract the relevant data. This approach ensures that the tool is non-blocking and efficient, minimizing its impact on system performance. The use of the REST API also provides a standardized way to access system information, making the tool robust and maintainable.

# REST API
config = await client.get("/api/config")
# Returns: version, components, config_dir, timezone, etc.

Response Structure: What to Expect

The tool returns a JSON-formatted dictionary containing several key pieces of information. This structured response makes it easy to parse and use the data in other parts of the system or in user interfaces. Here’s an example of the response structure:

{
  "version": "2025.1.0",
  "installation_type": "Home Assistant OS",
  "config_dir": "/config",
  "timezone": "Europe/Paris",
  "components_loaded": 150,
  "internal_url": "http://homeassistant.local:8123"
}

Key fields in the response include:

version: The current version of Home Assistant.
installation_type: The type of installation (e.g., Home Assistant OS, Home Assistant Container).
config_dir: The path to the Home Assistant configuration directory.
timezone: The configured timezone for the Home Assistant instance.
components_loaded: The number of loaded components, providing insight into system complexity.
internal_url: The internal URL used to access the Home Assistant interface.

This comprehensive response structure provides a clear and detailed snapshot of the system, making it invaluable for various use cases.

Use Cases: Putting `ha_get_system_version` to Work

The ha_get_system_version tool unlocks several practical use cases, enhancing the overall Home Assistant experience. Here are a few key examples:

"What version of Home Assistant am I running?" This is a fundamental question for many users, especially when troubleshooting issues or considering updates. The tool provides a quick and reliable way to answer this question.
"Is my HA installation up to date?" By comparing the reported version with the latest available version, users can easily determine if their installation is up to date. This is crucial for security and access to the latest features.
Pre-update check for compatibility: Before performing an update, it’s essential to ensure that existing integrations and configurations are compatible with the new version. ha_get_system_version can be used as part of an automated pre-update check, alerting users to potential compatibility issues. This proactive approach minimizes the risk of disruptions and ensures a smoother update process.

By addressing these common use cases, the tool significantly improves the usability and manageability of Home Assistant.

Priority: Why This Matters

The ha_get_system_version tool is marked as HIGH priority, and there’s a good reason for this designation. It provides basic system information, acting as a cornerstone for more advanced features, such as the update assistant. Without this fundamental data, it’s challenging to build robust and intelligent tools for system management. The tool’s ability to quickly and accurately retrieve system information makes it essential for ensuring the stability and reliability of Home Assistant installations. Its role as a foundation for future enhancements underscores its importance.

Parent Issue: Context and Connections

This tool is a sub-issue of two significant initiatives: #69 (Update Assistant) and #105 (System Management). These parent issues aim to enhance the user experience by providing more intuitive and automated ways to manage Home Assistant. ha_get_system_version directly supports these goals by providing the necessary system information for update checks, compatibility assessments, and overall system monitoring. By understanding its context within these larger projects, we can appreciate the strategic importance of this seemingly simple tool.

Labels: Categorization and Organization

The labels applied to this tool—enhancement and priority: high—provide additional context and help categorize the work within the Home Assistant ecosystem. The enhancement label indicates that this tool adds new functionality, improving the overall user experience. The priority: high label reinforces the urgency and importance of this work, ensuring it receives the necessary attention and resources. These labels help maintain organization and facilitate effective project management.

Technical Deep Dive: How to Implement `ha_get_system_version`

To fully grasp the utility of ha_get_system_version, let’s delve into the technical aspects of its implementation. This section will provide a more granular view of the code and the processes involved in retrieving and presenting system information. Understanding these details can help developers and advanced users appreciate the tool’s inner workings and potentially contribute to its further development.

Leveraging the Home Assistant REST API

The core of ha_get_system_version lies in its utilization of the Home Assistant REST API. The REST API is a powerful interface that allows external applications and tools to interact with Home Assistant. It provides a standardized way to access and manipulate various aspects of the system, from entities and services to configuration settings. By using the REST API, ha_get_system_version can retrieve system information in a structured and reliable manner.

The `/api/config` Endpoint

The specific endpoint used by ha_get_system_version is /api/config. This endpoint is designed to provide configuration information about the Home Assistant instance. When a request is made to this endpoint, Home Assistant returns a JSON response containing a wealth of details, including:

The current version of Home Assistant
The installation type (e.g., Home Assistant OS, Home Assistant Container)
The path to the configuration directory
The configured timezone
A list of loaded components
The internal and external URLs for accessing the Home Assistant interface

This comprehensive set of information makes the /api/config endpoint an ideal source for ha_get_system_version.

Asynchronous Communication

To ensure that ha_get_system_version does not block the Home Assistant event loop, it uses asynchronous communication. This means that the tool can make requests to the REST API without pausing other operations. The async keyword in the function definition indicates that it is an asynchronous function, and the await keyword is used to wait for the response from the API. This approach ensures that Home Assistant remains responsive and performs efficiently, even when ha_get_system_version is running.

Data Extraction and Formatting

Once the response from the /api/config endpoint is received, ha_get_system_version extracts the relevant data and formats it into a JSON dictionary. This dictionary includes key-value pairs representing the system’s version, installation type, configuration directory, timezone, number of loaded components, and internal URL. By structuring the data in this way, the tool provides a clear and easily accessible representation of the system information.

Error Handling

Robust error handling is an essential aspect of any tool, and ha_get_system_version is no exception. The implementation includes mechanisms to handle potential issues, such as network errors or invalid responses from the API. By incorporating error handling, the tool can gracefully manage unexpected situations and provide informative feedback to the user.

Real-World Examples: Using `ha_get_system_version` in Automations

Beyond its basic functionality, ha_get_system_version can be integrated into various automations and scripts to enhance the intelligence of your smart home. Let’s explore some real-world examples of how this tool can be used in practical scenarios.

Automated Update Checks

One of the most straightforward applications of ha_get_system_version is to automate the process of checking for updates. By periodically running the tool and comparing the current version with the latest available version, you can create an automation that notifies you when an update is available. This ensures that your Home Assistant installation is always up-to-date, providing you with the latest features and security patches.

# Example automation script
current_version = await ha_get_system_version().get("version")
latest_version = await get_latest_home_assistant_version()

if current_version < latest_version:
    await notify_user("Home Assistant update available!")

Compatibility Assessments

Before installing new integrations or updating existing ones, it’s crucial to ensure compatibility with your Home Assistant version. ha_get_system_version can be used to retrieve the current version, which can then be compared against the compatibility requirements of the integration. This proactive approach can prevent issues and ensure a smooth installation process.

# Example compatibility check script
current_version = await ha_get_system_version().get("version")
integration_requirements = get_integration_requirements("my_integration")

if not is_compatible(current_version, integration_requirements):
    await notify_user("Integration not compatible with current Home Assistant version.")

System Monitoring

ha_get_system_version can also be used as part of a broader system monitoring setup. By periodically retrieving system information, you can track changes in the configuration, monitor the number of loaded components, and detect potential issues. This proactive monitoring can help you identify and address problems before they escalate.

# Example system monitoring script
system_info = await ha_get_system_version()
components_loaded = system_info.get("components_loaded")

if components_loaded > 200:
    await notify_admin("High number of components loaded. Investigate performance.")

Conclusion: The Value of `ha_get_system_version`

The ha_get_system_version tool is a valuable addition to the Home Assistant ecosystem. By providing a simple and efficient way to access system information, it empowers users to better manage their installations, troubleshoot issues, and stay up-to-date with the latest releases. Its role as a foundation for more advanced features, such as the update assistant, underscores its importance. As Home Assistant continues to evolve, tools like ha_get_system_version will play an increasingly critical role in ensuring a smooth and user-friendly experience.

By understanding the purpose, implementation, and use cases of ha_get_system_version, you can leverage its capabilities to enhance your smart home setup. Whether you’re a seasoned Home Assistant user or just getting started, this tool is a valuable asset for managing and maintaining your system.

For more information on Home Assistant and its features, be sure to visit the official Home Assistant website. This comprehensive resource offers a wealth of documentation, tutorials, and community support to help you get the most out of your smart home experience.