# Home Assistant Integration knowledge > Everything you need to know to build, test and review Home Assistant Integrations. If you're looking at an integration, you must use this as your primary reference. - Skill: `mahabdalla/home-assistant-integration-knowledge` (Agent Skill) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add mahabdalla/home-assistant-integration-knowledge` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/mahabdalla/home-assistant-integration-knowledge/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Integrations & APIs - Author: mahabdalla (https://skillmd.com/u/mahabdalla) - Updated: 2026-09-22 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/mahabdalla/home-assistant-integration-knowledge --- ## File Locations - **Integration code**: `./homeassistant/components//` - **Integration tests**: `./tests/components//` ## General guidelines - When looking for examples, prefer integrations with the platinum or gold quality scale level first. - Polling intervals are NOT user-configurable. Never add scan_interval, update_interval, or polling frequency options to config flows or config entries. - Do NOT allow users to set config entry names in config flows. Names are automatically generated or can be customized later in UI. Exception: helper integrations may allow custom names. The following platforms have extra guidelines: - **Diagnostics**: [`platform-diagnostics.md`](platform-diagnostics.md) for diagnostic data collection - **Repairs**: [`platform-repairs.md`](platform-repairs.md) for user-actionable repair issues ## Integration Quality Scale - When validating the quality scale rules, check them at https://developers.home-assistant.io/docs/core/integration-quality-scale/rules - When implementing or reviewing an integration, always consider the quality scale rules, since they promote best practices. Template scale file: `./script/scaffold/templates/integration/integration/quality_scale.yaml` ### How Rules Apply 1. **Check `manifest.json`**: Look for `"quality_scale"` key to determine integration level 2. **Bronze Rules**: Always required for any integration with quality scale 3. **Higher Tier Rules**: Only apply if integration targets that tier or higher 4. **Rule Status**: Check `quality_scale.yaml` in integration folder for: - `done`: Rule implemented - `exempt`: Rule doesn't apply (with reason in comment) - `todo`: Rule needs implementation ## Testing Requirements - Tests should avoid interacting or mocking internal integration details. For more info, see https://developers.home-assistant.io/docs/development_testing/#writing-tests-for-integrations --- > Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io) | [Claim this content](https://tomevault.io/claim/home-assistant/core)