Build An Alexa Feed Reader Skill

Build a Feed Reader Skill for Alexa

This tutorial will walk first-time Alexa skills developers through all the required steps involved in creating a feed reading skill using a template called ‘Feed Reader’. Ask to play your feed and this skill will do so.

Let's Get Started

If this is your first time here, you're new to Alexa Skills Development, or you're looking for more detailed instructions, click the Get Started button below:

Be sure to take a look at the Additional Resources at the bottom of this page!

About

Note: The rest of 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.

Usage

Alexa, ask feed reader to open first feed.
	>> Your first feed is BBC World News.

Alexa, open feed reader

Repository Contents

• /.ask - ASK CLI (Command Line Interface) Configuration
• /lambda/custom - Back-End Logic for the Alexa Skill hosted on AWS Lambda
• /models - Voice User Interface and Language Specific Interaction Models
• /instructions - Step-by-Step Instructions for Getting Started
• skill.json - Skill Manifest

Setup w/ ASK CLI

Pre-requisites

• Node.js (> v4.3)
• Register for an AWS Account
• Register for an Amazon Developer Account
• Install and Setup ASK CLI

Installation

1. Clone the repository.

   $ git clone https://github.com/alexa/skill-sample-nodejs-feed/
   

2. Initiatialize the ASK CLI by Navigating into the repository and running npm command: ask init. Follow the prompts.

   $ cd skill-sample-nodejs-feed
   $ ask init
   

3. Install npm dependencies by navigating into the /lambda/custom directory and running the npm command: npm install

   $ cd lambda/custom
   $ npm install
   

Deployment

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.

1. Deploy the skill and the lambda function in one step by running the following command:

   $ ask deploy
   

Testing

1. To test, you need to login to Alexa Developer Console, and enable the "Test" switch on your skill from the "Test" Tab.

2. Simulate verbal interaction with your skill through the command line using the following example:

    $ ask simulate -l en-US -t "start feed reader"
   
    ✓ Simulation created for simulation id: 4a7a9ed8-94b2-40c0-b3bd-fb63d9887fa7
   ◡ Waiting for simulation response{
     "status": "SUCCESSFUL",
     ...
   

3. 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 feed reader
   

Customization

1. ./skill.json

   Change the skill name, example phrase, icons, testing instructions etc ...

   Remember that many information is locale-specific and must be changed for each locale (en-GB and en-US)

   See the Skill Manifest Documentation for more information.

2. ./lambda/custom/index.js

   Modify messages, and facts from the source code to customize the skill.

3. ./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.

Additional Resources

Community

• Amazon Developer Forums - Join the conversation!
• Hackster.io - See what others are building with Alexa.

Tutorials & Guides

• Voice Design Guide - A great resource for learning conversational and voice user interface design.
• CodeAcademy: Learn Alexa - Learn how to build an Alexa Skill from within your browser with this beginner friendly tutorial on CodeAcademy!

Documentation

• Official Alexa Skills Kit Node.js SDK - The Official Node.js SDK Documentation
• Official Alexa Skills Kit Documentation - Official Alexa Skills Kit Documentation