Permit devices to join the Zigbee network
Use this action to open your Zigbee network for a short time so new devices can join. Most of the time you add devices through the UI with the Add device flow, but this action is handy when you want to open the network from an automation or a script, for example with the press of a button.
Only users with administrator rights can run this action.
Using this action from the user interface
If you prefer building automations and scripts visually, Home Assistant walks you through this action step by step. You pick what to target, tweak a few options, and save. No YAML knowledge required.
To open the network for joining from an automation or a script:
- Go to Settings > Automations & scenes.
- Open an existing automation or script, or select Create automation > Create new automation.
- If you’re setting up a new automation, add a trigger in the When section. Scripts don’t need a trigger. They run when something else calls them.
- In the Then do section, select Add action.
- Search for and select Permit.
- Optionally, set how long the network stays open and the joining details.
- Select Save.
Options in the UI
How long, in seconds, the network stays open for joining. Defaults to 60 seconds.
The IEEE address of an existing router device through which the new device should join. Useful when you want a device to join through a specific router.
The install code of the joining device. Use together with the source IEEE address.
Using this action in YAML
If you work directly in YAML, or you want to know exactly what Home Assistant does under the hood, this section has the technical reference. It lists the field names you use in YAML, their types, and which ones are required.
In YAML, refer to this action as zha.permit. A basic example looks like this:
action: zha.permit
data:
duration: 120
This opens the network for new devices to join for 120 seconds.
Options in YAML
The install code of the joining device. Use together with the source IEEE address.
Good to know
- To join a device that uses an install code, provide either the QR code, or the source IEEE address and install code together.
- QR install codes are supported from Aqara, Bosch, Consciot, and Embrighten.
- For everyday device pairing, the Add device flow in the UI is the easier path.
Still stuck?
The Home Assistant community is quick to help: join Discord for real-time chat, post on the community forum with the action you’re calling and what you expected to happen, or share on our subreddit /r/homeassistant.
AI assistants like ChatGPT or Claude can also explain actions or suggest the right one when you describe what you want in plain language.
Related actions
These actions work well alongside this one:
- Remove a device from the Zigbee network: Removes a node from the ZHA Zigbee network.