Who is Charyl for?

Homeowners who want a running record of their house, technical self-hosters who’d rather run the software themselves, and builders who want every home they hand over to start out already known.

She’s especially useful if you have a lot to keep track of — a full inventory of appliances and systems, a property with a lot of paperwork (insurance, HOA rules, permits), or a second home you don’t visit often. Households with horses or other equine properties can also use Charyl’s optional Barn module alongside the rest of the home. If you already run Home Assistant and like tinkering, self-hosting Charyl on your own Linux server costs nothing and fits right alongside what you’ve already built.

Builders are a separate audience: the Charyl builder program is a pilot today, aimed at builders who want to hand new owners a home that already knows its own warranties, manuals, and systems from day one, rather than a stack of paper in a folder.

Charyl isn’t trying to be everything to everyone — if all you want is basic light and switch control with no interest in the household side, a simpler smart-home app may suit you better.

Related: How do I get Charyl today?