What do you need.
-zigbee usb stick. Goes without saying. CC2351 with antenna is best and simplest option.
-zigbee sensor. We are using Aqara / Xiaomi Mi sensors for now.
-machine to run the software. Can be a pi (including one that is running pibeacon) or your Mac.
Needs to be able to run current versions of node.js and npm which might rule out arm6 pi zeros.
-MQTT broker
-MQTT and Shims plugins
That's it (unless I'm corrected)
What makes it easier
- ZigBee sniffer and download cable. Let's you flash software from Linux or Windows. You can flash from a Pi without this cable but it means bending the pins. I've done 2 this way with no ill effects.
- node red to give graphical admin interface but you can use command line
- another ZigBee USB to act as a booster as the battery devices don't relay signals, nor will you hue bulbs
- a more powerful cc2350 board with antenna to act as a booster.
- wireless switches and buttons that seem to be cheaper than zwave ones.
- an eBay listing to sell your hue hub I don't intend to but you could. It would give you a more reliable mesh.
- other ZigBee bulbs
Switches and bulbs might not work with Shims so I'm intending to control those via Node-Red and indigo direct connectivity.
Instructions on that to follow