Blackymas/NSPanel_HA_Blueprint v4.3.22 on GitHub

Summary

This release introduces comprehensive GPIO pin customization for custom hardware variants
and modernizes our development framework by focusing exclusively on ESP-IDF.
Additionally, this release continues our ongoing work to resolve boot compatibility issues with ESPHome 2025.8.0.

New Features

GPIO Pin Customization System

Building on the foundation laid in v4.3.20, we've completed the GPIO pin customization system using ESPHome substitutions.
All GPIO pins can now be reassigned through simple substitution keys,
enabling seamless adaptation to custom hardware layouts without modifying core project files.
This feature supports both basic pin reassignments and complex configurations with advanced options,
making the blueprint compatible with a wide range of hardware variants while preserving all functionality.

This feature is primarily intended for users running this firmware on devices other than the standard Sonoff NSPanel.
For complete documentation, configuration examples, and troubleshooting guidance, see the GPIO Pin Customization Guide.

Continued ESPHome 2025.8.0 Compatibility Work

Ongoing efforts to resolve boot issues with ESPHome 2025.8.0 continue in this release.
While previous versions (v4.3.20, v4.3.21) addressed many compatibility issues, some users may still experience problems.
This release includes additional improvements to the boot sequence.

We are committed to ensuring full compatibility and will continue releasing updates until all ESPHome 2025.8.0 issues are resolved.
Additional releases focusing specifically on remaining compatibility issues are planned if needed.

Breaking Changes

Arduino Framework Support Deprecated

Arduino framework support has been officially deprecated and is no longer tested in production builds.

Impact

ESP-IDF is now the only officially supported framework for this project
Arduino framework builds may still work but are not guaranteed
No bug fixes or support will be provided for Arduino framework issues
Production CI pipeline now only tests ESP-IDF builds, significantly reducing release time

Why This Change?

Aligns with ESPHome recommendations - ESP-IDF is the default/recommended framework for new users
Better memory optimization - ESP-IDF provides superior flash memory management (critical for this project)
Enhanced feature support - Modern ESPHome features are primarily developed for ESP-IDF
Simplified maintenance - Reduces complexity and improves release reliability
Faster development cycle - Reduced CI time allows for quicker releases

Migration Guide

If you're currently using Arduino framework:

Remove from your YAML configuration:
```
esp32:
  framework:
    type: arduino
```
Review component compatibility - Most components work seamlessly with ESP-IDF
Test your configuration - ESP-IDF generally provides better performance
Update any custom components if needed (rare)

For Advanced Users

Daily development builds still include Arduino framework testing for compatibility monitoring
Arduino framework files remain in the repository but are considered legacy
Community contributions for Arduino-specific issues will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis

Need Help?

Check the ESPHome ESP-IDF documentation
Open an issue if you encounter migration problems with ESP-IDF
Join the discussion in our community channels

We strongly recommend migrating to ESP-IDF framework for the best experience and future compatibility.

Beta Branch Discontinued

The beta branch has been discontinued as it was not being used for its intended purpose.

Key Changes

The beta branch will be deleted and is no longer available
Users referencing ref: beta in their configurations will need to update their references
Two supported branches remain: main (stable) and dev (bleeding edge)

Migration for Beta Users

If you're currently using ref: beta in your remote_package:

Change from:

packages:
  remote_package:
    url: https://github.com/Blackymas/NSPanel_HA_Blueprint
    ref: beta  # Change this line
    refresh: 300s
    files:
      - nspanel_esphome.yaml

Change to:

# For stable releases (recommended)
packages:
  remote_package:
    url: https://github.com/Blackymas/NSPanel_HA_Blueprint
    ref: main  # Use main for stable releases
    refresh: 300s
    files:
      - nspanel_esphome.yaml

# OR for latest development code (may be unstable)
packages:
  remote_package:
    url: https://github.com/Blackymas/NSPanel_HA_Blueprint
    ref: dev  # Use dev for bleeding edge features
    refresh: 300s
    files:
      - nspanel_esphome.yaml

Branch Strategy Going Forward

main - Stable releases, thoroughly tested, recommended for production use
dev - Latest development code, may contain bugs, for testing new features

Users currently on beta should migrate to main for stability or dev for the latest features.

Looking Ahead

Thank you for your patience as we work through these ESPHome compatibility challenges.
We understand that boot issues can be frustrating, and we're committed to resolving them completely.

Our approach moving forward:

Focused releases - Additional targeted releases will address any remaining ESPHome 2025.8.0 issues
Transparent communication - We'll keep you informed about progress and any additional fixes needed
Community feedback - Your reports help us identify and fix edge cases

Your continued support and detailed bug reports are invaluable in helping us deliver a stable, reliable experience for everyone.

We appreciate your patience and continued support as we modernize the project foundation and resolve compatibility challenges.

Blackymas/NSPanel_HA_Blueprint v4.3.22 v4.3.22 - Advanced GPIO Customization and Framework Modernization on GitHub