Asi ikea-varmblixt-smart-lamp

install
source · Clone the upstream repo
git clone https://github.com/plurigrid/asi
Claude Code · Install into ~/.claude/skills/
T=$(mktemp -d) && git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/plurigrid/asi "$T" && mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && cp -r "$T/plugins/asi/skills/ikea-varmblixt-smart-lamp" ~/.claude/skills/plurigrid-asi-ikea-varmblixt-smart-lamp && rm -rf "$T"
manifest: plugins/asi/skills/ikea-varmblixt-smart-lamp/SKILL.md
source content

IKEA VARMBLIXT Smart Lamp

Sabine Marcelis design. Donut-shaped LED table/wall lamp with Matter over Thread. Article numbers: 80613524 (US), 90623160 (UK/EU). Price: $99.99.

Specs

SpecValue
Power3.4W
Lumens~120-180 lm (accent only)
CRI90
Lifespan~25,000 hours
Diameter12" / 30 cm
Height5"
Cord6'3"
Weight~5 lbs
ProtocolMatter over Thread
ShellMatte frosted glass
BodyABS plastic, steel mounting plate

In the Box

  • VARMBLIXT lamp
  • BILRESA 2-button remote (pre-paired, needs 2x AAA)
  • Wall mounting plate + hardware
  • Matter QR code (on lamp underside AND box)

Physical Controls

Power button: next to the power cable on the base. Hard on/off toggle.

Glass shell release: push-button clip on base pops off top glass for wall mounting.

BILRESA Remote (included, pre-paired)

Two buttons, no labels. Larger divot = up/brighter.

  • Tap: toggle on/off
  • Hold: brighten / dim
  • Double-tap: cycle preset colors (smooth blending)

Pairing

First power-on (automatic)

  1. Plug in, turn on. Lamp enters 15-minute pairing window automatically.
  2. Scan Matter QR code (lamp underside or box) with your ecosystem app.
  3. Done in under 1 minute typically.

The lamp must be ON and powered when you scan. Do not turn it off to scan.

Pairing window expired

Turn lamp off then on again. New 15-minute window opens.

Factory reset

Turn the lamp off and on 6 times at a steady rhythm:

  • ~1 second on, ~1 second off
  • Leave ON after the 6th cycle
  • Lamp flashes/pulses to confirm
  • All previous Matter bindings cleared
  • New 15-minute pairing window opens

If 6 cycles doesn't trigger: try slower (~2s each). Must be real power cuts, not a smart switch.

Re-pair BILRESA remote (hubless)

Press BILRESA system button 4 times within 5-30 cm of lamp. Lamp pulses then blinks twice = paired.

Compatible Ecosystems

No DIRIGERA hub required. All need a Thread Border Router:

EcosystemBorder Router examples
Apple HomeHomePod mini, Apple TV 4K 2nd gen+
Google HomeNest Hub 2nd gen, Nest WiFi Pro
Amazon AlexaEcho 4th gen+
SmartThingsThread-capable hub
Home AssistantSkyConnect, ZBT-1/2, any OTBR
HomeyWith Matter support
IKEA DIRIGERAWorks but not required

Apple Home specific

  1. Factory reset lamp if previously attempted pairing
  2. Lamp ON and in pairing window
  3. Apple Home app > + > Add Accessory
  4. Scan QR code on lamp underside (box print quality often bad)
  5. Keep phone near HomePod during pairing (BLE handshake)
  6. HomePod must be on latest software
  7. Phone must be on same WiFi as HomePod

Home Assistant specific

  • Enable IPv6: Settings > System > Network > IPv6 > Automatic
  • HA and border router on same network
  • Pair directly to HA, not through Apple Home first
  • ZBT-1 more reliable than other OTBR options

Critical Quirk: Remote vs Matter

Pairing to Matter unpairs the BILRESA remote. You cannot use both.

  • Remote back: factory reset lamp, re-pair remote
  • Remote WITH smart home: pair remote separately to Matter hub, associate via hub app
  • This is by design

Color Behavior

Remote only: double-tap cycles colors with smooth blending. Pleasant.

Matter/app: color changes are abrupt, no transitions. Known limitation.

Adaptive Lighting (Matter): auto-shifts white temp through the day.

Min brightness: color still faintly visible — glass looks tinted.

Wall Mounting

  1. Push glass release, remove shell
  2. Mount base plate to wall with screws
  3. Reattach glass shell
  4. Route cable (6'3")

Troubleshooting

Won't pair

  1. Physical power button must be ON
  2. Factory reset: 6x power cycles, leave on, wait for flash
  3. Move within 50 cm of border router
  4. Enable IPv6 on router
  5. Unplug all other Thread border routers temporarily
  6. Use QR on lamp, not box

Offline in app

  • Check physical power
  • Restart border router
  • Restart hub

Mottled light

Normal with other light sources present. Most uniform in dark room at full brightness.

What Not To Do

  • Don't expect room lighting — this is 120 lm accent light
  • Don't use a smart switch for factory reset — must be real power cuts
  • Don't try BILRESA remote + Matter simultaneously
  • Don't drop it — the glass breaks

Smart vs Original VARMBLIXT

SmartOriginal
GlassMatte frostedGlossy caramel
LightColor spectrumWarm only
SmartMatter/ThreadNone
RemoteBILRESA includedNone
Price$99.99$99.99

Original's caramel warmth cannot be replicated by the smart version.

Sources