Release Notes & Changelog

Welcome to the latest updates! Here's a breakdown of all the new features, improvements, and important changes you need to know. Be sure to check out the Breaking Changes section for any actions needed to keep everything running smoothly.

2025.10.0 Next

🚨 IMPORTANT

Please carefully review the breaking changes listed below before updating!
This release will impact your current setup and requires you to go through the setup process again.

🚀 What's New?

• Streamlined Door Control with Unified Lock Entities
  The Open Door buttons have been replaced by new, standardized lock entities.
  You can now use the lock.unlock action in Home Assistant for seamless door control.
  This change simplifies dashboard integration and delivers a more consistent, intuitive experience.

• Use Light Entity instead of Button for Hallway Light
  The Turn on the light button has been replaced by the Hallway Light light entity.
  You can now use the light.turn_on action in Home Assistant to turn on the hallway light. This change simplifies dashboard integration and delivers a more consistent, intuitive experience.

• Extended Ring to Open to Apartment Doorbells
  Ring To Open now also works with your apartment doorbell when paired with a Nuki Smart Lock — making access even more convenient and seamless.

• MQTT Integration
  The configuration assistant now allows you to select the MQTT integration.
  After flashing, just enter your broker credentials via the built-in web interface.

• HomeKit Integration
  To enable native control through Apple's Home app and Siri, you can now choose the HomeKit integration in the configuration assistant.

• Pre-Open Telegrams
  In some setups, it's necessary to send one or more preparatory telegrams to select the correct door. This feature allows you to define and send a sequence of telegrams before the open_door telegram is executed.

• Relay Mode
  It is now possible to activate the integrated relay when opening the entrance doors.
  This can be configured using the Relay Mode setting.

• Show Bus Activity via Status LED
  Added a new switch that, when enabled, makes the status LED blink briefly to indicate bus activity. Helpful for debugging and verifying communication with the door system. Disabled by default.

• Subdevices
  By using sub-devices, entities can now be grouped and organized more logically in Home Assistant.

✨ Improvements

• Refined Configuration for Ring to Open
  The configuration options have been separated per door, giving you greater flexibility to customize the Ring To Open behavior according to your specific requirements.

  Additionally, the Delay settings are now presented as dropdown menus, making it more intuitive to use the random delay feature—which was previously hidden behind the 60-second setting.

• Smarter Ring to Open with Pattern Recognition
  The door now opens only when a configured doorbell ring pattern is detected, offering more precise control over access.

• Quadruple Doorbell Pattern
  A new quadruple-press pattern has been added, with slightly refined timing to improve reliability and avoid overlap with other patterns.

• Install Update Button
  A new button lets you install the latest available Doorman firmware version directly from the web interface.

• Wi-Fi Signal Sensor
  The default firmware now includes a Wi-Fi signal strength sensor, which was previously only available in the developer version.

• Component split The tc_bus ESPHome component has been refactored into three separate components: tc_bus, tc_bus_device, and doorman_hardware. This change improves maintainability and adds flexibility when working with multiple TC:BUS devices.

• TC:BUS Serial Component The tc_bus_serial ESPHome component is now available, enabling serial communication with the TC:BUS via USB.

• Extended Model Detection Support
  Detection capabilities now include additional older models like the TTC-xx and TTS-xx and common outdoor stations.

• Expanded Support for Model-Specific Settings
  Settings compatibility has been added for most indoor station models and also for some outdoor station models.

• Enhanced Reliability with Remote Peripheral
  Data reading is now based on RMT, providing more reliability compared to the previous interrupt-based method.

• Telegram Queue
  Outgoing telegrams are now queued to prevent data loss.

• Outdoor Station Button Configuration
  Added methods to read and write the doorbell button configuration of the outdoor station.

• Added Support for Acknowledgment Messages
  Acknowledgment messages are now properly handled, following additional investigation into previously unsupported cases.

📝 Other Updates

• Firmware Configuration Assistant
  The new assistant makes flashing the firmware easier than ever — not much technical experience required.

• Telegram Binary Sensors Disabled by Default
  Since event entities offer the most convenient way to work with the doorbell, binary sensors are now disabled by default when adding Doorman to Home Assistant. You can still enable them manually at any time if needed.

• Enhanced Captive Portal UX
  Building upon the ESPHome foundation, Doorman now features a custom-branded captive portal, offering a more consistent UX for Wi-Fi configuration.

• More Readable Log Messages
  Log messages have been refined for improved clarity and readability.

🚨 Breaking Changes

• Renamed command to telegram
  The command terminology has been replaced with telegram. If you're using the tc_bus.send action, you must update your configuration accordingly.
  Additionally, the CommandData class has been renamed to TelegramData.
  For full migration details, please refer to the updated ESPHome component documentation.

• Transition to RMT Components
  The TC:BUS component no longer supports the rx_pin and tx_pin options.
  Instead, you must now define the remote_receiver and remote_transmitter components when using your own custom config.

• Home Assistant Events Removed from Component
  Events are no longer directly handled by the tc_bus component. Instead, they are now defined in the Home Assistant–specific Doorman configuration YAML file.

• Removed Open Door and Light Buttons
  The Turn on the light and Open Door buttons have been removed in favor of more efficient control methods.

• Renamed Ring to Open Entities
  The Ring To Open entities are now labeled as RTO: Door Name – Setting to reflect the updated configuration structure, improving clarity and consistency.

• Renamed Intercom Model Entity
  The Intercom Model setting has been renamed to Indoor Station Model for more consistency with the documentation and to better reflect its purpose.

• Renamed Nuki Lock
  The Nuki Lock entity has been renamed to Apartment Door for better alignment with the naming convention used for other doors.

• Changed Setup Mode logic
  Previously, setup mode saved the outdoor station address only once, when pressing either the apartment doorbell or the outdoor station doorbell. This caused issues if the system was using a non-default address.
  Now, you need to press the outdoor station doorbell for each door to ensure the address is saved correctly. Take a look here for more information.

• Minimum ESPHome Version Set
  The minimum required version has been updated to 2025.10.0.

2025.3.0 Stable

✨ Improvements

• Fix Update Process
  Firmware updates are now correctly identified and retrieved for each specific firmware variant.

• Ring to Open Toggle Trigger
  You can now choose which trigger will toggle the Ring To Open automation as some models use the button for specific purposes.

• Expanded Support for Model Detection
  Now, models without configuration settings are also detected.

• Setup mode delays
  By introducing some delay, we allow the ringtone to finish on setup mode.

📝 Other Updates

• Nuki Component
  The ESPHome_nuki_lock component now runs on IDF, removing the need for the Arduino framework.

• Configuration YAML Files Restructured
  The configuration files have been reorganized to enhance modularity and enable support for additional host platforms.

• Precompiled binaries for ESP32-S3, ESP32
  The Doorman ESPHome firmware is available for these platforms.

🚨 Breaking Changes

• Ring to Open Toggle Trigger
  The new option is set to Manual by default. You'll need to set it to Function Button to restore the previous behavior.

• Minimum ESPHome Version Set
  We've bumped the minimum required version to 2025.2.0.

2025.2.0

🚀 What's New?

• Added a Switch to turn off the Status LED while Ring to Open is active
  If you don't want the Status LED to blink while Ring to Open is active, you can now easily turn it off.

• Automatic Model Detection
  The setup mode now attempts to automatically identify the indoor station model. However, this process is not compatible with all models, as some do not support automatic detection.

• Introduced a button to identify your indoor station model
  You can now effortlessly determine the correct model for your settings by simply pressing the "Identify Indoor Station" button, perfect for cases where you're unsure which model you own.

• Expand Support for Model Settings
  Implemented settings compatibility for TCS TASTA (Koch TC60) IVW5xxx and ISW5xxx models.

✨ Improvements

• Fix Parser Telegram Length
  Previously, the telegram length was not properly parsed, which occasionally led to 32-bit telegrams being misinterpreted. This issue has now been resolved.

• Configure Entrance Outdoor Station ID
  It is now feasible to replace the entrance outdoor station in the exceptional instances where non-default addresses are utilized. The setup mode will also set the entrance outdoor station address.

• Automatically Disable BLE Server When Not Needed
  The BLE Server is now automatically disabled once Wi-Fi is connected. Note: This behavior applies exclusively to the Stock Firmware.

• Fixed Memory Reading for Some Intercom Models
  The memory will now be correctly read from your indoor station.

• Automatic Intercom Memory Reading
  The intercom memory is now automatically read during boot and after model identification. Manual memory readings are still possible but no longer necessary.

• Experimental Update Switch
  Instead of having two separate update entities, there's now a single one that checks for updates based on a new switch. This switch lets you easily toggle experimental updates from the dev branch on or off.

📝 Other Updates

• Nuki Component
  The ESPHome_nuki_lock component now leverages Doorman-S3's PSRAM, potentially enhancing the overall performance.

🚨 Breaking Changes

• PSRAM Compatibility
  Some users, particularly those with Revision 1.4 PCBs, may encounter issues due to the newly added PSRAM component. This is because certain Revision 1.4 boards use the N16R2 variant of the ESP32S3, which requires a different configuration for proper PSRAM booting.

  For assistance, please contact me via Discord or open an issue on GitHub.

• Hexadecimal Telegram-String Length changed
  With the telegram parser now fixed, the hexadecimal string representation has been updated to correctly display the Last Bus Telegram sensor.

• Separate Event entities
  Skaronator introduced separate event entities for each physical doorbell button.
  This enhancement enables event tracking on a per-button basis, providing more granular and precise support for doorbell interactions.
  You will need to adjust your automations if you previously used the Doorbell Pattern Event Entity. Additionally, the event types have been changed.

  👉 Check the Entities for details!

• Intercom Models Renamed
  As part of streamlining the models for each manufacturer, you may need to reconfigure your intercom model. Now, you can also see the Koch and Scantron models.

  👉 Check the Model Setting availability for details!

• Intercom Settings Updated
  To accommodate compatibility with new models, the settings ringtone_door_call and volume_handset have been renamed.

  👉 Refer to the Setting Types for the updated names and additional settings!

2024.11.2

✨ Improvements

• Fixed open door telegram
  Use the short open door telegram instead of the long one (with serial number) as this seems to cause issues on some setups.

2024.11.1

✨ Improvements

• Fixed dev branch name
  Updated the development branch name to resolve future issues.

📝 Other Updates

• Switch Nuki Component branch
  Migrated the nuki_lock component to the main branch as the new features got merged.

2024.11.0

🚀 What's New?

• TC:BUS Protocol Support
  Unleash more power with the new protocol support! You can now use intuitive telegram types with parameters like address, payload, and serial_number.

  👉 Explore the Supported Telegrams

• Interactive Setup Enhancements
  The system now remembers your indoor station's serial number and automatically detects any additional outdoor stations during setup.

• Expanded Doorbell Functionality
  Got more than one entrance? No problem! Your doorbell and phone pickup patterns now work seamlessly for a second entrance.

• New Memory Management Tools
  You can now customize ringtones and adjust volumes of indoor stations.

  👉 Check the Supported Models and Settings

• Programming Mode Actions
  Just toggle the control unit's programming mode using ESPHome for instant actions.

• New Nuki Lock Settings
  With this release, we fully harness the expanded settings options of the Nuki Lock component, unlocking enhanced customization and control for an elevated user experience.

✨ Improvements

• Better Entity Grouping
  Navigate with ease! Entities are now more logically grouped on the web interface for effortless control and access.

• Simplified ESPHome Configuration
  We've made the ESPHome config files more modular! Configurations are now split into separate add-ons for smoother management.

• Doorman Discovery
  We've introduced a new custom protocol that enables seamless discovery of other devices running this firmware for troubleshooting, as well as those utilizing the custom Doorman firmware .

📝 Other Updates

• Component Name Change
  The tcs_intercom component has been renamed to tc_bus and merged into this repository. All documentation is now centralized here.

🚨 Breaking Changes

• Re-setup Required!
  The new protocol means you'll need to reconfigure your system. Old stored telegrams won't work anymore. Simply press the apartment or entrance doorbell to start the setup again.

  👉 Check the setup guide for details!

• New Service Names
  We've made changes to the Home Assistant service names to make them easier to understand and use:

  • Old Format:

    service: esphome.doorman_s3_send_tcs_telegram
    data:
      telegram: 0x1C30BA41

  • New Format:

    service: esphome.doorman_s3_send_tc_telegram_raw
    data:
      telegram: 0x1C30BA41

  • New User-Friendly Option:

    service: esphome.doorman_s3_send_tc_telegram
    data:
      type: floor_call  # Telegram type (e.g., 'floor_call', 'door_open')
      address: 0        # Address, for example the Outdoor Station
      payload: 0        # Data payload
      serial_number: 0  # Indoor Station serial number

    Why it's awesome: It's now more readable and lets you easily specify telegram types!

2024.8.5

🚀 What's New?

• Enhanced Interactive Setup
  Setup is even easier! Automatically capture and store bus telegrams during first-time setup if no previous telegrams are detected.

✨ Improvements

• Dashboard Import Fix
  Fixed those pesky import file name issues—no more confusion!

• Better Status Colors
  We've revamped the status colors to improve visibility and clarity, making it easier to track everything at a glance.

📝 Other Updates

• Development Builds
  We now use the tcs_intercom development branch for development builds.

2024.8.3

🚀 What's New?

• Simplified Setup
  Initial setup is now a breeze with options like Access Point, Improv Serial, or Improv BLE.

• Runtime Configuration
  Easily configure bus telegrams and settings on the fly!

• New Event Entities
  New entities for doorbell and handset patterns (like entrance or apartment doorbell, and lift handset).

• Ring to Open 2.0
  Enjoy an enhanced Ring to Open mode with fully customizable timeout settings.

• New Door Opener Button
  Added a button for secondary door controls (if applicable).

• Hallway Light Button
  Turn on your hallway lights with the new dedicated button (if applicable).

• HTTP OTA Updates
  Seamlessly upgrade to the latest Doorman firmware via Home Assistant—no need for ESPHome Dashboard!

✨ Improvements

• Direct Stock Firmware Updates
  Now you can install or update the stock firmware directly from the documentation page. No need to compile it separately!

• General Tweaks
  Several small but useful improvements for a smoother experience.

📝 Other Updates

• Webserver Enabled
  The webserver feature is now enabled for quicker access.

🚨 Breaking Changes

• Telegram Reset
  Due to the simplified setup process and configurable telegrams, the substituations are not used anymore. Thus you'll need to reconfigure them using the new input entities.

• Minimum ESPHome Version Set
  We've bumped the minimum required version to 2024.8.0.