Shelly may also equip its fourth-generation devices with Matter over Thread in the future. This is suggested by a recent discussion in the official Shelly community on Facebook (link). The company’s founder, Dimitar Dimitrov, posted various firmware concepts and asked users for feedback. The Gen4 series hardware is fundamentally capable of supporting Thread and Matter over Thread. The real challenge, however, lies in the available firmware storage space and the resulting trade-offs.
Two Firmware Concepts Under Discussion
Shelly Gen4 devices are currently shipped with one of two firmware variants. One supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Matter over Wi-Fi. The other enables connections via Wi-Fi / Zigbee. Users can switch between the two versions without having to set up the device first.
According to Dimitrov’s statement in the support group, the available flash memory is currently not sufficient to provide an additional third firmware version supporting Wi-Fi, Thread, and Matter over Thread while also retaining all features of the existing firmware. This primarily affects a feature used by power users: scripting.
As a first option, Shelly therefore suggests a multi-step setup process: The device would initially be shipped with the existing firmware, set up via Wi-Fi, and then updated to special Thread firmware. Only then could it be put into operation as a Thread or Matter-over-Thread device.
Alternatively, Shelly is considering a different approach. In the future, devices could come standard with firmware that supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread, and Matter, but does not include built-in scripting. Users who need JavaScript scripts could then switch to firmware without Thread support. With this survey, Shelly wants to find out which approach the community prefers.
Open-Source Project Shows What Is Possible
That Matter over Thread fundamentally works on the hardware of the Gen4 Shelly devices is already demonstrated by an open-source project from developer Jace (automatous-io). The firmware completely replaces the original Shelly software and adds Thread support to a Shelly 1 Gen4 (link).
The project uses the Espressif chip built into the Shelly 1 Gen4 (ESP32-C6) and reconfigures its 802.15.4 radio module from Zigbee to Thread. This allows the device to be integrated natively into Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, or Home Assistant without requiring a Matter Bridge.
However, the open-source firmware follows a fundamentally different approach from the firmware developed by Shelly. It focuses exclusively on Matter over Thread and does without many of the advantages that distinguish Shelly products. These include the Shelly web interface, and integration with the Shelly app, as well as additional convenience and management features.
So the project does not refute Shelley’s argument regarding limited flash memory. It merely proves that the hardware already supports threads today, while the real challenge lies in combining this support with the extensive feature set of the official firmware. The ability to script is completely eliminated, since this involves a complete reinstallation of the firmware. And an open-source project that is currently maintained by just one person cannot be a substitute for a factory solution.
Who Needs Scripting?
Shelly’s scripting feature allows you to run JavaScript code directly on the device – without having to go through another local instance or a cloud service. Advanced users utilize this feature, for example, for complex control logic, HTTP requests, MQTT communication, webhooks, or custom automations. Especially in professional installations or sophisticated smart homes, this scripting capability is one of the key selling points of the Shelly platform.
However, this functionality also requires storage space. According to the manufacturer, firmware with Thread support cannot currently be combined with all existing features without limitations.
First Community Reactions
The initial responses in the Facebook discussion suggest that many users would prefer firmware with Matter over Thread pre-installed. Users who rely on integrated scripting are generally considered technically experienced and would likely accept switching firmware at a later stage.
It remains to be seen whether this impression will be confirmed as the discussion continues. Shelly has not yet decided and is explicitly using the survey to gather feedback from the community. An official inquiry to the manufacturer is currently underway. This article will be updated as soon as we have additional information.
Shelly Under Pressure to Make a Move?
A user survey is by no means a product announcement. However, it does show that Shelly is now giving serious thought to the topic of Matter over Thread. This is a departure from the past, when it was said that Thread was not planned for Shelly devices and that there were no plans for it whatsoever. A corresponding statement in the support section is still online (link, see below).
However, Thread is currently experiencing a resurgence. After initial teething problems and, in some cases, frustrating user experiences, major and important providers are now relying on the protocol. The professional equipment supplier Wago has launched a product line featuring Matter over Thread. And Philips Hue also plans to offer the mesh wireless protocol as an option on its new flush-mounted modules. This is a development that Shelly may not be able to ignore for long.
Should the company opt for the corresponding firmware, Gen4 devices could in the future use either Zigbee or Thread as their wireless protocol based on IEEE 802.15.4. This would expand the portfolio to include another important Matter option.
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