ZigBee in Nodlyn: Sensors, Commands, and Zigbee2MQTT Automation

ZigBee is one of the most popular wireless protocols for smart-home devices — sensors, switches, lights, thermostats, and more. Nodlyn integrates seamlessly with Zigbee2MQTT, allowing you to read sensor data, send commands, and list paired devices directly from your workflows.

The ZigBee connector exposes three powerful capabilities:

• Read Sensor — fetch the latest payload from a ZigBee device
• Send Command — control lights, switches, and other actuators
• List Devices — retrieve all paired devices from Zigbee2MQTT

Step 1: Configure MQTT Connection

Zigbee2MQTT communicates over MQTT. Each node requires:

• mqttHost — default: localhost
• mqttPort — default: 1883
• mqttUser and mqttPass — optional

Nodlyn uses MQTTnet internally and automatically handles connection, subscription, and message parsing.

Step 2: Read Sensor Data

The ZigBee Read Sensor node subscribes to:

zigbee2mqtt/{deviceName}

It then actively requests the current state by publishing:

zigbee2mqtt/{deviceName}/get

Supported fields include:

• temperature
• humidity
• pressure
• illuminance
• occupancy
• contact
• battery
• linkquality
• state

If you specify valueField, the node returns only that field. Otherwise, it returns the full payload.

Step 3: Send Commands

The ZigBee Send Command node publishes to:

zigbee2mqtt/{deviceName}/set

You can choose between presets:

• Turn ON
• Turn OFF
• Toggle
• Custom JSON payload

Example custom payload:

{"brightness": 200}

If the node receives pipeline input, Nodlyn merges it with the preset payload using a JSON merge strategy.

Step 4: List ZigBee Devices

The ZigBee List Devices node requests the device list by publishing:

zigbee2mqtt/bridge/request/devices/get

Zigbee2MQTT responds on:

zigbee2mqtt/bridge/devices

The node returns the full JSON array of paired devices — ideal for dashboards, selectors, or automation logic.

Step 5: Example Workflow

Here's a practical automation you can build:

1. Read temperature from a ZigBee sensor.
2. If temperature < 20°C, turn on a ZigBee heater plug.
3. Send a Telegram notification with the current temperature.
4. Log all readings to a database.

This creates a smart-home routine that reacts instantly to sensor data.

Advanced Use Cases

The ZigBee connector becomes extremely powerful when combined with other nodes:

• Trigger lights based on occupancy sensors
• Adjust brightness based on illuminance
• Send alerts when contact sensors detect door openings
• Build dashboards showing real-time ZigBee telemetry

Because ZigBee nodes use MQTT, they work reliably in local networks and cloud environments.

What's Next?

Try combining ZigBee with Weather API, Tuya Local, BLE, or scheduled workflows. Build smart-home automations that react to sensors, conditions, and user input.

Nodlyn's ZigBee connector gives you full control over your Zigbee2MQTT ecosystem — fast, reliable, and deeply integrated.