DIY ESP32-C6 USB Coordinator (ZHA) - Firmware and Device Compatibility?

[the.msy]

I recently bought two ESP32-C6 boards. My goal is to use one of them as a custom Zigbee Coordinator connected directly to my Raspberry Pi via USB, purely for learning purposes.

I plan to use ZHA (or Zigbee2MQTT with the ember adapter).

I have a couple of specific questions before I start flashing:

1. Firmware: Does anyone have a link to a known working, pre-compiled RCP firmware binary (.bin) for the ESP32-C6 that works over USB (UART)? I am looking for a reliable binary to flash via esptool.
2. Device Compatibility: If I successfully set this up as a Coordinator, will it function like a standard commercial Zigbee stick? Specifically, can I pair standard off-the-shelf Zigbee buttons (like Sonoff, Aqara, or IKEA buttons) directly to this DIY ESP32-C6 coordinator?

Any guidance or links to the correct firmware would be appreciated!

Thanks.

[wryandginger]

A few other threads on here have covered your questions. Here is a thread covers your question about the coordinator. That thread points to espressif’s GitHub repo with sample code that can be used to make sensors/coordinators using espressif’s IDF.

tl;dr:

• There’s little point/support using a C6 module as a coordinator and no support using it in Z2M/ZHA at this time. You are better off buying a cheap zigbee stick if you want a coordinator.

• If you want to make DIY devices with a C6 (or H2) modules, you should consider using ESPHome and luar123’s external component for zigbee

• I have a GitHub repo with sample YAML for building various Zigbee sensor devices.