diff --git a/api.py b/api.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..09fa646
--- /dev/null
+++ b/api.py
@@ -0,0 +1,125 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""
+connectd/api.py - REST API for stats and control
+
+exposes daemon stats for home assistant integration.
+runs on port 8099 by default.
+"""
+
+import os
+import json
+import threading
+from http.server import HTTPServer, BaseHTTPRequestHandler
+from datetime import datetime
+
+from db import Database
+
+API_PORT = int(os.environ.get('CONNECTD_API_PORT', 8099))
+
+# shared state (updated by daemon)
+_daemon_state = {
+    'running': False,
+    'dry_run': False,
+    'last_scout': None,
+    'last_match': None,
+    'last_intro': None,
+    'last_lost': None,
+    'intros_today': 0,
+    'lost_intros_today': 0,
+    'started_at': None,
+}
+
+
+def update_daemon_state(state_dict):
+    """update shared daemon state (called by daemon)"""
+    global _daemon_state
+    _daemon_state.update(state_dict)
+
+
+def get_daemon_state():
+    """get current daemon state"""
+    return _daemon_state.copy()
+
+
+class APIHandler(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
+    """simple REST API handler"""
+
+    def log_message(self, format, *args):
+        """suppress default logging"""
+        pass
+
+    def _send_json(self, data, status=200):
+        """send JSON response"""
+        self.send_response(status)
+        self.send_header('Content-Type', 'application/json')
+        self.send_header('Access-Control-Allow-Origin', '*')
+        self.end_headers()
+        self.wfile.write(json.dumps(data).encode())
+
+    def do_GET(self):
+        """handle GET requests"""
+        if self.path == '/api/stats':
+            self._handle_stats()
+        elif self.path == '/api/health':
+            self._handle_health()
+        elif self.path == '/api/state':
+            self._handle_state()
+        else:
+            self._send_json({'error': 'not found'}, 404)
+
+    def _handle_stats(self):
+        """return database statistics"""
+        try:
+            db = Database()
+            stats = db.stats()
+            db.close()
+            self._send_json(stats)
+        except Exception as e:
+            self._send_json({'error': str(e)}, 500)
+
+    def _handle_health(self):
+        """return daemon health status"""
+        state = get_daemon_state()
+
+        health = {
+            'status': 'running' if state['running'] else 'stopped',
+            'dry_run': state['dry_run'],
+            'uptime_seconds': None,
+        }
+
+        if state['started_at']:
+            uptime = datetime.now() - datetime.fromisoformat(state['started_at'])
+            health['uptime_seconds'] = int(uptime.total_seconds())
+
+        self._send_json(health)
+
+    def _handle_state(self):
+        """return full daemon state"""
+        state = get_daemon_state()
+
+        # convert datetimes to strings
+        for key in ['last_scout', 'last_match', 'last_intro', 'last_lost', 'started_at']:
+            if state[key] and isinstance(state[key], datetime):
+                state[key] = state[key].isoformat()
+
+        self._send_json(state)
+
+
+def run_api_server():
+    """run the API server in a thread"""
+    server = HTTPServer(('0.0.0.0', API_PORT), APIHandler)
+    print(f"connectd api running on port {API_PORT}")
+    server.serve_forever()
+
+
+def start_api_thread():
+    """start API server in background thread"""
+    thread = threading.Thread(target=run_api_server, daemon=True)
+    thread.start()
+    return thread
+
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    # standalone mode for testing
+    print(f"starting connectd api on port {API_PORT}...")
+    run_api_server()
diff --git a/daemon.py b/daemon.py
index b490eea..85db027 100644
--- a/daemon.py
+++ b/daemon.py
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ from introd.lost_intro import draft_lost_intro, get_lost_intro_config
 from introd.send import send_email
 from introd.deliver import deliver_intro, determine_best_contact
 from config import get_lost_config
+from api import start_api_thread, update_daemon_state
 
 # daemon config
 SCOUT_INTERVAL = 3600 * 4      # full scout every 4 hours
@@ -59,9 +60,27 @@ class ConnectDaemon:
         signal.signal(signal.SIGINT, self._shutdown)
         signal.signal(signal.SIGTERM, self._shutdown)
 
+        # update API state
+        self._update_api_state()
+
     def _shutdown(self, signum, frame):
         print("\nconnectd: shutting down...")
         self.running = False
+        self._update_api_state()
+
+    def _update_api_state(self):
+        """update API state for HA integration"""
+        update_daemon_state({
+            'running': self.running,
+            'dry_run': self.dry_run,
+            'last_scout': self.last_scout.isoformat() if self.last_scout else None,
+            'last_match': self.last_match.isoformat() if self.last_match else None,
+            'last_intro': self.last_intro.isoformat() if self.last_intro else None,
+            'last_lost': self.last_lost.isoformat() if self.last_lost else None,
+            'intros_today': self.intros_today,
+            'lost_intros_today': self.lost_intros_today,
+            'started_at': datetime.now().isoformat(),
+        })
 
     def log(self, msg):
         """timestamped log"""
@@ -447,6 +466,11 @@ class ConnectDaemon:
     def run(self):
         """main daemon loop"""
         self.log("connectd daemon starting...")
+
+        # start API server
+        start_api_thread()
+        self.log("api server started on port 8099")
+
         if self.dry_run:
             self.log("*** DRY RUN MODE - no intros will be sent ***")
         self.log(f"scout interval: {SCOUT_INTERVAL}s")
@@ -457,6 +481,7 @@ class ConnectDaemon:
 
         # initial scout
         self.scout_cycle()
+        self._update_api_state()
 
         while self.running:
             now = datetime.now()
@@ -464,19 +489,23 @@ class ConnectDaemon:
             # scout cycle
             if not self.last_scout or (now - self.last_scout).seconds >= SCOUT_INTERVAL:
                 self.scout_cycle()
+                self._update_api_state()
 
             # match cycle
             if not self.last_match or (now - self.last_match).seconds >= MATCH_INTERVAL:
                 self.match_priority_users()
                 self.match_strangers()
+                self._update_api_state()
 
             # intro cycle
             if not self.last_intro or (now - self.last_intro).seconds >= INTRO_INTERVAL:
                 self.send_stranger_intros()
+                self._update_api_state()
 
             # lost builder cycle
             if not self.last_lost or (now - self.last_lost).seconds >= LOST_INTERVAL:
                 self.send_lost_builder_intros()
+                self._update_api_state()
 
             # sleep between checks
             time.sleep(60)
diff --git a/docker-compose.yml b/docker-compose.yml
index ba56947..39c3c1f 100644
--- a/docker-compose.yml
+++ b/docker-compose.yml
@@ -5,6 +5,8 @@ services:
     restart: unless-stopped
     env_file:
       - .env
+    ports:
+      - "8099:8099"
     volumes:
       - ./data:/app/data
       - ./db:/app/db
diff --git a/hacs/README.md b/hacs/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fa9940e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hacs/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,88 @@
+# connectd home assistant integration
+
+monitor your connectd daemon from home assistant.
+
+## installation
+
+### HACS (recommended)
+
+1. open HACS in home assistant
+2. click the three dots menu → custom repositories
+3. add `https://github.com/sudoxnym/connectd` with category "integration"
+4. search for "connectd" and install
+5. restart home assistant
+6. go to settings → devices & services → add integration → connectd
+
+### manual
+
+1. copy `custom_components/connectd` to your HA `config/custom_components/` directory
+2. restart home assistant
+3. go to settings → devices & services → add integration → connectd
+
+## configuration
+
+enter the host and port of your connectd daemon:
+- **host**: IP or hostname where connectd is running (e.g., `192.168.1.8`)
+- **port**: API port (default: `8099`)
+
+## sensors
+
+the integration creates these sensors:
+
+### stats
+- `sensor.connectd_total_humans` - total discovered humans
+- `sensor.connectd_high_score_humans` - humans with high values alignment
+- `sensor.connectd_total_matches` - total matches found
+- `sensor.connectd_total_intros` - total intro drafts
+- `sensor.connectd_sent_intros` - intros successfully sent
+- `sensor.connectd_active_builders` - active builder count
+- `sensor.connectd_lost_builders` - lost builder count
+- `sensor.connectd_recovering_builders` - recovering builder count
+- `sensor.connectd_lost_outreach_sent` - lost builder outreach count
+
+### state
+- `sensor.connectd_intros_today` - intros sent today
+- `sensor.connectd_lost_intros_today` - lost builder intros today
+- `sensor.connectd_status` - daemon status (running/dry_run/stopped)
+
+### per-platform
+- `sensor.connectd_github_humans`
+- `sensor.connectd_mastodon_humans`
+- `sensor.connectd_reddit_humans`
+- `sensor.connectd_lemmy_humans`
+- `sensor.connectd_discord_humans`
+- `sensor.connectd_lobsters_humans`
+
+## example dashboard card
+
+```yaml
+type: entities
+title: connectd
+entities:
+  - entity: sensor.connectd_status
+  - entity: sensor.connectd_total_humans
+  - entity: sensor.connectd_intros_today
+  - entity: sensor.connectd_lost_intros_today
+  - entity: sensor.connectd_active_builders
+  - entity: sensor.connectd_lost_builders
+```
+
+## automations
+
+example: notify when an intro is sent:
+
+```yaml
+automation:
+  - alias: "connectd intro notification"
+    trigger:
+      - platform: state
+        entity_id: sensor.connectd_intros_today
+    condition:
+      - condition: template
+        value_template: "{{ trigger.to_state.state | int > trigger.from_state.state | int }}"
+    action:
+      - service: notify.mobile_app
+        data:
+          title: "connectd"
+          message: "sent intro #{{ states('sensor.connectd_intros_today') }} today"
+```
diff --git a/hacs/custom_components/connectd/__init__.py b/hacs/custom_components/connectd/__init__.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cd01ba5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hacs/custom_components/connectd/__init__.py
@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+"""connectd integration for home assistant."""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import logging
+from datetime import timedelta
+
+import aiohttp
+import async_timeout
+
+from homeassistant.config_entries import ConfigEntry
+from homeassistant.const import Platform
+from homeassistant.core import HomeAssistant
+from homeassistant.helpers.update_coordinator import DataUpdateCoordinator, UpdateFailed
+
+_LOGGER = logging.getLogger(__name__)
+
+DOMAIN = "connectd"
+PLATFORMS = [Platform.SENSOR]
+SCAN_INTERVAL = timedelta(minutes=1)
+
+
+async def async_setup_entry(hass: HomeAssistant, entry: ConfigEntry) -> bool:
+    """set up connectd from a config entry."""
+    host = entry.data["host"]
+    port = entry.data["port"]
+
+    coordinator = ConnectdDataUpdateCoordinator(hass, host, port)
+    await coordinator.async_config_entry_first_refresh()
+
+    hass.data.setdefault(DOMAIN, {})
+    hass.data[DOMAIN][entry.entry_id] = coordinator
+
+    await hass.config_entries.async_forward_entry_setups(entry, PLATFORMS)
+
+    return True
+
+
+async def async_unload_entry(hass: HomeAssistant, entry: ConfigEntry) -> bool:
+    """unload a config entry."""
+    unload_ok = await hass.config_entries.async_unload_platforms(entry, PLATFORMS)
+    if unload_ok:
+        hass.data[DOMAIN].pop(entry.entry_id)
+    return unload_ok
+
+
+class ConnectdDataUpdateCoordinator(DataUpdateCoordinator):
+    """class to manage fetching connectd data."""
+
+    def __init__(self, hass: HomeAssistant, host: str, port: int) -> None:
+        """initialize."""
+        self.host = host
+        self.port = port
+        self.base_url = f"http://{host}:{port}"
+
+        super().__init__(
+            hass,
+            _LOGGER,
+            name=DOMAIN,
+            update_interval=SCAN_INTERVAL,
+        )
+
+    async def _async_update_data(self):
+        """fetch data from connectd api."""
+        try:
+            async with async_timeout.timeout(10):
+                async with aiohttp.ClientSession() as session:
+                    # get stats
+                    async with session.get(f"{self.base_url}/api/stats") as resp:
+                        if resp.status != 200:
+                            raise UpdateFailed(f"error fetching stats: {resp.status}")
+                        stats = await resp.json()
+
+                    # get state
+                    async with session.get(f"{self.base_url}/api/state") as resp:
+                        if resp.status != 200:
+                            raise UpdateFailed(f"error fetching state: {resp.status}")
+                        state = await resp.json()
+
+                    return {"stats": stats, "state": state}
+
+        except aiohttp.ClientError as err:
+            raise UpdateFailed(f"error communicating with connectd: {err}")
+        except Exception as err:
+            raise UpdateFailed(f"unexpected error: {err}")
diff --git a/hacs/custom_components/connectd/config_flow.py b/hacs/custom_components/connectd/config_flow.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9149b9d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hacs/custom_components/connectd/config_flow.py
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+"""config flow for connectd integration."""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import aiohttp
+import voluptuous as vol
+
+from homeassistant import config_entries
+from homeassistant.const import CONF_HOST, CONF_PORT
+from homeassistant.data_entry_flow import FlowResult
+
+from . import DOMAIN
+
+DEFAULT_PORT = 8099
+
+
+class ConnectdConfigFlow(config_entries.ConfigFlow, domain=DOMAIN):
+    """handle a config flow for connectd."""
+
+    VERSION = 1
+
+    async def async_step_user(
+        self, user_input: dict | None = None
+    ) -> FlowResult:
+        """handle the initial step."""
+        errors = {}
+
+        if user_input is not None:
+            host = user_input[CONF_HOST]
+            port = user_input.get(CONF_PORT, DEFAULT_PORT)
+
+            # test connection
+            try:
+                async with aiohttp.ClientSession() as session:
+                    url = f"http://{host}:{port}/api/health"
+                    async with session.get(url, timeout=5) as resp:
+                        if resp.status == 200:
+                            # connection works
+                            await self.async_set_unique_id(f"{host}:{port}")
+                            self._abort_if_unique_id_configured()
+
+                            return self.async_create_entry(
+                                title=f"connectd ({host})",
+                                data={
+                                    "host": host,
+                                    "port": port,
+                                },
+                            )
+                        else:
+                            errors["base"] = "cannot_connect"
+            except aiohttp.ClientError:
+                errors["base"] = "cannot_connect"
+            except Exception:
+                errors["base"] = "unknown"
+
+        return self.async_show_form(
+            step_id="user",
+            data_schema=vol.Schema(
+                {
+                    vol.Required(CONF_HOST, default="192.168.1.8"): str,
+                    vol.Optional(CONF_PORT, default=DEFAULT_PORT): int,
+                }
+            ),
+            errors=errors,
+        )
diff --git a/hacs/custom_components/connectd/manifest.json b/hacs/custom_components/connectd/manifest.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2fd6ae8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hacs/custom_components/connectd/manifest.json
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+{
+  "domain": "connectd",
+  "name": "connectd",
+  "codeowners": ["@sudoxnym"],
+  "config_flow": true,
+  "documentation": "https://github.com/sudoxnym/connectd",
+  "iot_class": "local_polling",
+  "issue_tracker": "https://github.com/sudoxnym/connectd/issues",
+  "requirements": [],
+  "version": "1.0.0"
+}
diff --git a/hacs/custom_components/connectd/sensor.py b/hacs/custom_components/connectd/sensor.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..85d66da
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hacs/custom_components/connectd/sensor.py
@@ -0,0 +1,162 @@
+"""sensor platform for connectd."""
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from homeassistant.components.sensor import (
+    SensorEntity,
+    SensorStateClass,
+)
+from homeassistant.config_entries import ConfigEntry
+from homeassistant.core import HomeAssistant
+from homeassistant.helpers.entity_platform import AddEntitiesCallback
+from homeassistant.helpers.update_coordinator import CoordinatorEntity
+
+from . import DOMAIN, ConnectdDataUpdateCoordinator
+
+SENSORS = [
+    # stats sensors
+    ("total_humans", "total humans", "mdi:account-group", "stats"),
+    ("high_score_humans", "high score humans", "mdi:account-star", "stats"),
+    ("total_matches", "total matches", "mdi:handshake", "stats"),
+    ("total_intros", "total intros", "mdi:email-outline", "stats"),
+    ("sent_intros", "sent intros", "mdi:email-check", "stats"),
+    ("active_builders", "active builders", "mdi:hammer-wrench", "stats"),
+    ("lost_builders", "lost builders", "mdi:account-question", "stats"),
+    ("recovering_builders", "recovering builders", "mdi:account-heart", "stats"),
+    ("lost_outreach_sent", "lost outreach sent", "mdi:heart-pulse", "stats"),
+
+    # state sensors
+    ("intros_today", "intros today", "mdi:email-fast", "state"),
+    ("lost_intros_today", "lost intros today", "mdi:heart-outline", "state"),
+]
+
+
+async def async_setup_entry(
+    hass: HomeAssistant,
+    entry: ConfigEntry,
+    async_add_entities: AddEntitiesCallback,
+) -> None:
+    """set up connectd sensors."""
+    coordinator = hass.data[DOMAIN][entry.entry_id]
+
+    entities = []
+    for sensor_key, name, icon, data_source in SENSORS:
+        entities.append(
+            ConnectdSensor(coordinator, sensor_key, name, icon, data_source)
+        )
+
+    # add status sensor
+    entities.append(ConnectdStatusSensor(coordinator))
+
+    # add platform sensors (by_platform dict)
+    entities.append(ConnectdPlatformSensor(coordinator, "github"))
+    entities.append(ConnectdPlatformSensor(coordinator, "mastodon"))
+    entities.append(ConnectdPlatformSensor(coordinator, "reddit"))
+    entities.append(ConnectdPlatformSensor(coordinator, "lemmy"))
+    entities.append(ConnectdPlatformSensor(coordinator, "discord"))
+    entities.append(ConnectdPlatformSensor(coordinator, "lobsters"))
+
+    async_add_entities(entities)
+
+
+class ConnectdSensor(CoordinatorEntity, SensorEntity):
+    """connectd sensor entity."""
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        coordinator: ConnectdDataUpdateCoordinator,
+        sensor_key: str,
+        name: str,
+        icon: str,
+        data_source: str,
+    ) -> None:
+        """initialize."""
+        super().__init__(coordinator)
+        self._sensor_key = sensor_key
+        self._attr_name = f"connectd {name}"
+        self._attr_unique_id = f"connectd_{sensor_key}"
+        self._attr_icon = icon
+        self._data_source = data_source
+        self._attr_state_class = SensorStateClass.MEASUREMENT
+
+    @property
+    def native_value(self):
+        """return the state."""
+        if self.coordinator.data:
+            data = self.coordinator.data.get(self._data_source, {})
+            return data.get(self._sensor_key, 0)
+        return None
+
+
+class ConnectdStatusSensor(CoordinatorEntity, SensorEntity):
+    """connectd daemon status sensor."""
+
+    def __init__(self, coordinator: ConnectdDataUpdateCoordinator) -> None:
+        """initialize."""
+        super().__init__(coordinator)
+        self._attr_name = "connectd status"
+        self._attr_unique_id = "connectd_status"
+        self._attr_icon = "mdi:connection"
+
+    @property
+    def native_value(self):
+        """return the state."""
+        if self.coordinator.data:
+            state = self.coordinator.data.get("state", {})
+            if state.get("running"):
+                return "running" if not state.get("dry_run") else "dry_run"
+            return "stopped"
+        return "unavailable"
+
+    @property
+    def extra_state_attributes(self):
+        """return extra attributes."""
+        if self.coordinator.data:
+            state = self.coordinator.data.get("state", {})
+            return {
+                "last_scout": state.get("last_scout"),
+                "last_match": state.get("last_match"),
+                "last_intro": state.get("last_intro"),
+                "last_lost": state.get("last_lost"),
+                "started_at": state.get("started_at"),
+            }
+        return {}
+
+
+class ConnectdPlatformSensor(CoordinatorEntity, SensorEntity):
+    """connectd per-platform sensor."""
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        coordinator: ConnectdDataUpdateCoordinator,
+        platform: str,
+    ) -> None:
+        """initialize."""
+        super().__init__(coordinator)
+        self._platform = platform
+        self._attr_name = f"connectd {platform} humans"
+        self._attr_unique_id = f"connectd_platform_{platform}"
+        self._attr_icon = self._get_platform_icon(platform)
+        self._attr_state_class = SensorStateClass.MEASUREMENT
+
+    def _get_platform_icon(self, platform: str) -> str:
+        """get icon for platform."""
+        icons = {
+            "github": "mdi:github",
+            "mastodon": "mdi:mastodon",
+            "reddit": "mdi:reddit",
+            "lemmy": "mdi:alpha-l-circle",
+            "discord": "mdi:discord",
+            "lobsters": "mdi:web",
+            "bluesky": "mdi:cloud",
+            "matrix": "mdi:matrix",
+        }
+        return icons.get(platform, "mdi:web")
+
+    @property
+    def native_value(self):
+        """return the state."""
+        if self.coordinator.data:
+            stats = self.coordinator.data.get("stats", {})
+            by_platform = stats.get("by_platform", {})
+            return by_platform.get(self._platform, 0)
+        return 0
diff --git a/hacs/custom_components/connectd/strings.json b/hacs/custom_components/connectd/strings.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fdc092f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hacs/custom_components/connectd/strings.json
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+{
+  "config": {
+    "step": {
+      "user": {
+        "title": "connectd daemon",
+        "description": "connect to your connectd daemon for monitoring.",
+        "data": {
+          "host": "host",
+          "port": "port"
+        }
+      }
+    },
+    "error": {
+      "cannot_connect": "failed to connect to connectd api",
+      "unknown": "unexpected error"
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/hacs/hacs.json b/hacs/hacs.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..b898f8a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hacs/hacs.json
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+{
+  "name": "connectd",
+  "render_readme": true,
+  "domains": ["sensor"],
+  "homeassistant": "2023.1.0"
+}