May 2026 · How to free up one gang and mount a removable scene remote
Before → After
Before — 4 switches
→
After — 3 switches + Pico
The Pull-Off Mechanism
What Happens to the Freed Switch
1
Identify the candidate — the lowest-priority switch in the gang. Usually something you'd be fine controlling via app: a single Hue fixture, a secondary light, a fan.
Good candidates: a lamp on a smart bulb, a reading light, anything already on HA.
2
If it's a Hue bulb fixture — remove the Caseta switch. Electrician hardwires the fixture permanently on (hot connected directly to load). Hue bulb has constant power; app + Pico scenes take over control.
The bulb never loses power → Hue automations always work, even after a power blip.
2alt
If it's a dumb LED fixture — electrician adds a Shelly 1PM inside the wall box as the relay, wired always-on at the switch terminal. Shelly becomes the invisible switch; HA controls it via WiFi.
The gang is now free while the fixture still has smart on/off control through HA.
3
Snap in the PICO-WBX-ADAPT bracket into the freed gang opening. Mount a matching Decora plate. Snap the Pico into the bracket.
Pico and Caseta switches are the same Decora size — the plate looks identical to before.
4
Pull the Pico off any time — use it as a handheld remote around the room. The bracket stays in the wall. Snap it back when done.
No wires, no charging — CR2032 battery lasts 2–3 years.
Add to electrician scope
While the electricians are already there for the bathroom circuits, have them identify and free up the candidate gang in each room. The conversion takes ~20 minutes per location and is essentially free while they're on site.
Hardware needed per location
PICO-WBX-ADAPT bracket (~$8) · Pico PJ2-3BRL 5-button remote (~$25 incl. bracket) · Matching 4-gang Decora plate (no change if swapping 1-for-1). If Shelly route: Shelly 1PM (~$18) in addition.