Google provides SDKs, tools, and sample apps for jump-starting your
Matter journey, whether you're [building your own smart
home hardware](https://developers.home.google.com/matter/develop#develop_smart_home_hardware_with_matter) or [integrating Matter
functionality into your Android
app](https://developers.home.google.com/matter/develop#integrate_matter_functionality_into_your_android_app).

These resources are designed to let the developer focus development efforts on
building capabilities and features, while investing less effort in dealing with
infrastructure.

## Develop smart home hardware with Matter

### Matter Virtual Device

[Develop phase](https://developers.home.google.com/matter/checklist.md.txt#develop)

The Google Home Device SDK allows a developer to get started developing right
away by experimenting with Matter devices in a virtual
setting. Virtual Matter devices can be built using the SDK,
commissioned onto a fabric and controlled in the same manner as physical
devices, including fulfillment of Google Assistant commands.

### Google Home Extension for VS Code

[Develop phase](https://developers.home.google.com/matter/checklist.md.txt#develop)

The [Google Home Extension for Visual Studio Code](https://developers.home.google.com/matter/tools/vs-code.md.txt) allows you to interact
directly with the Google Home ecosystem. For example, you can type a command,
such as 'turn on my lightbulb', and the Assistant
will process your request in the cloud and send the command to the device.

Use this extension during the [development phase](https://developers.home.google.com/matter/checklist.md.txt#develop) to:

- Test both Matter and non-Matter
  devices that are integrated in Google Home.

- Identify issues by viewing cloud logs in real time, observing all the
  communication flowing in both directions. Filter by severity and time range.

- Inspect the JSON content of log messages.

- Issue Assistant commands in scripted format to help you
  test faster in a repeatable way.

### Google Home Test Suite

[Test phase](https://developers.home.google.com/matter/checklist.md.txt#test_field_trial)

Use the [Google Home Test Suite](https://developers.home.google.com/matter/test.md.txt) in the
Google Home Developer Console to [test your smart home
integration](https://developers.home.google.com/matter/checklist#test_field_trial) and ensure it meets
certification and launch requirements for the Google Home
ecosystem.

## Integrate Matter functionality into your Android app

### Google Play services Matter APIs

[Develop phase](https://developers.home.google.com/matter/checklist.md.txt#develop)

Google Play services offer [Matter
APIs](https://developers.home.google.com/matter/apis/home) for commissioning, device-sharing, and operational
discovery.

### Google Home Plugin for Android Studio

[Develop phase](https://developers.home.google.com/matter/checklist.md.txt#develop)

[Google Home Plugin for Android Studio](https://developers.home.google.com/matter/tools/android-studio.md.txt) is an indispensable
development tool that allows you to type commands for
Assistant directly in the editor to observe interactions
with your Matter applications and devices.

The IDE also allows you to review Cloud logs in real time, allowing you to debug
your integrations efficiently.

### Google Home sample app for Matter

[Develop phase](https://developers.home.google.com/matter/checklist.md.txt#develop)

The [Google Home Sample App for Matter](https://developers.home.google.com/samples/matter-app.md.txt) provides a concrete
example of how to use the Play services APIs for
Matter to build an app that that makes it easy to
commission and share Matter devices across apps and
ecosystems.