This readme assumes you have your developer environment ready to go and that you have some familiarity with CLI (Command Line Interface) Tools, AWS, and the ASK Developer Portal. If not, click here for a more detailed walkthrough.
- Node.js (> v8)
- Register for an AWS Account
- Register for an Amazon Developer Account
- Install and Setup ASK CLI
Note: If you would like to setup the ASK CLI using AWS Cloud9 (a cloud-based IDE with pay-as-you-go pricing and is eligible for AWS Free Tier pricing), step-by-step instructions can be found here.
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Make sure you are running the latest version of the CLI
npm update -g ask-cli
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Clone the repository.
git clone https://github.com/alexa/skill-sample-nodejs-fact/
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Explore the repository.
cd skill-sample-nodejs-fact ls -al
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Install npm dependencies by navigating into the
/lambda/custom
directory and running the npm command:npm install
cd lambda/custom npm install
ASK CLI will create the skill and the lambda function for you. The Lambda function will be created in us-east-1 (Northern Virginia)
by default.
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Navigate to the project's root directory. you should see a file named 'skill.json' there.
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Deploy the skill and the lambda function in one step by running the following command:
ask deploy
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To test, the skill needs to be enabled. From the developer console, open your skill and click the Test tab. Ensure the skill is available for testing in Development.
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Simulate verbal interaction with your skill through the command line (this might take a few moments) using the following example, using the locale of your choice (en-US, en-GB, en-IN, en-CA, en-AU):
ask simulate -l en-GB -t "start space facts" ✓ Simulation created for simulation id: 4a7a9ed8-94b2-40c0-b3bd-fb63d9887fa7 ◡ Waiting for simulation response{ "status": "SUCCESSFUL", ...
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Once the "Test" switch is enabled, your skill can be tested on devices associated with the developer account as well. Speak to Alexa from any enabled device, from your browser at echosim.io, or through your Amazon Mobile App and say :
Alexa, start space facts
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./skill.json
Change the skill name, example phrase, icons, testing instructions etc ...
Remember than many information are locale-specific and must be changed for each locale (en-GB, en-US, etc.)
See the Skill Manifest Documentation for more information.
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./lambda/custom/index.js
Modify messages, and facts from the source code to customize the skill.
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./models/*.json
Change the model definition to replace the invocation name and the sample phrase for each intent. Repeat the operation for each locale you are planning to support.
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Remember to re-deploy your skill and lambda function for your changes to take effect.