Publishing an Echo Skill

Part 1: Brief Recap

Five Simple Steps

a. Settle on an Idea

b. Create your Intent Schema

c. Provide Alexa some Sample Utterances

d. Write your Lambda Function

e. Create your skill

Six

f. Submit your skill for approval

Publishing an Echo Skill

Part 2: Stepping through an Idea

2a. The Idea

Have you ever wondered how long you (or another member of the household) has been gone?

Next we need a name that conveys the app's functionality, and a logo.

I have!

WatchDog

2b. The Intent Schema

Tell Alexa the types of commands allowed in your app

{
  "intents": [
    {
      "intent": "SingleLeaveIntent",
      "slots": [ { "name" : "User", "type": "AMAZON.US_FIRST_NAME" } ]
    },
    {
      "intent": "SingleReturnIntent",
      "slots": [ { "name" : "User", "type": "AMAZON.US_FIRST_NAME" } ]
    },
    {
      "intent": "AbsenceQueryIntent",
      "slots": [ { "name" : "User", "type": "AMAZON.US_FIRST_NAME" } ]
    },
    {
      "intent": "AMAZON.HelpIntent"
    },
    {
      "intent": "AMAZON.StopIntent"
    },
    {
      "intent": "AMAZON.CancelIntent"
    }
  ]
}

2c. Sample Utterances

Tell Alexa the form of commands and interactions

SingleLeaveIntent {User} is leaving now
SingleLeaveIntent {User} is heading out
SingleLeaveIntent {User} is leaving for work
SingleLeaveIntent {User} is heading to work
SingleLeaveIntent {User} is off for the day
SingleLeaveIntent {User} is heading out for the day
SingleReturnIntent {User} has returned
SingleReturnIntent {User} is back
SingleReturnIntent {User} is home
AbsenceQueryIntent How long has {User} been gone
AbsenceQueryIntent How long {User} has been gone
AbsenceQueryIntent How long has {User} been away
AbsenceQueryIntent How long {User} has been away

Persisting Data

Utilize DynamoDB from AWS

var doc = require('dynamodb-doc');
var dynamo = new doc.DynamoDB();
var tableName = "departureTimes";

2d. Database Operations

// Store an item
var now = new Date();
var item = { "username": user.value, "dateTime": now.toString() };
var params = { TableName: tableName, Item: item };

dynamo.putItem(params, function (err, data) {
    if (err) {
        processError(options, callback);
    } else {
        processLeaveData(options, data.Item, callback);
    }
});

// Retrieve an item

var key = { "username": user.value };
var params = { TableName: tableName, Key: key };

dynamo.getItem(params, function (err, data) {
    if (err) {
        processError(options, callback);
    } else if (data.Item === undefined) {
        processEmptyResponse(options, user.value, callback);
    } else {
        processQueryData(options, data.Item, callback);
    }
});

2e. Assemble the App!

  1. Create your Lambda Function and record your ARN value.
     
  2. In Amazon's Developer Console, create a new Skill and initialize it with your ARN value, Intent Schema, Custom Slot Types (optional), and Sample Utterances.
     
  3. Assuming no errors, your Skill will validate and become testable!
     
  4. Test your skill!

2f. Submit your Skill

Once you have adequately tested your app, you are required to fill out some basic information (sample uses, description [short/long], privacy/linked accounts requirements). Amazon will then have their team evaluate your app.

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