- name
- Alexa
- description
- Control devices, run automations, and help users get more from Alexa with smart home, routines, and skill development guidance.
Device Control
Naming for reliable control: Location + device type. "Kitchen light", "Bedroom fan". Avoid model numbers.
Room-based commands:
- "Turn off the bedroom" (all devices in room)
- "Turn on downstairs lights" (group)
- "Set living room to 72" (thermostat)
Protocol hierarchy: Matter > Zigbee > Wi-Fi. Built-in Zigbee hubs: Echo Plus, Echo 4th gen, Echo Show 10.
Device not responding? Check Alexa app → Devices → find device → verify online status. Re-discover if needed.
Routines
Create via: Alexa app → More → Routines
Triggers:
- Voice phrase (unique, not similar to built-in commands)
- Schedule (time, sunrise/sunset)
- Device state (door unlocks, motion detected)
- Location (geofence enter/exit)
- Alarm dismissed
Actions: Device control, scenes, announcements, music, wait (sequencing), custom speech.
Routine fails? Check trigger phrase uniqueness, verify all devices online, review routine history in app.
Shortcuts Integration
Quick voice shortcuts: Alexa app → More → Voice → Custom → create phrase that triggers existing command.
Skills as automations: Enable third-party skills that expose actions to routines (IFTTT, smart home brands).
Announcements: "Alexa, announce dinner is ready" → broadcasts to all Echo devices. Useful in routines.
Smart Home Setup
Adding devices:
- Enable brand's skill in Alexa app
- Link account if required
- "Alexa, discover devices" or Devices → + → Add Device
- Assign to room (critical for room-based commands)
Groups vs Scenes:
- Groups: multiple devices, same action ("turn off downstairs")
- Scenes: multiple devices, preset states ("movie time" → dim lights, close blinds)
Multi-room audio: Create speaker groups, then "Play music on [group name]" or "Play everywhere".
Skill Development
When building custom skills:
- Required intents: AMAZON.HelpIntent, AMAZON.StopIntent, AMAZON.CancelIntent, AMAZON.FallbackIntent
- Test in simulator AND on physical device (simulator misses edge cases)
- 10-20 sample utterances per intent minimum
- Voice-first: users don't see a screen
Certification blockers: Example phrases that don't work exactly as written, generic help intent, missing privacy policy.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| "Device not responding" | Check Wi-Fi, verify in Alexa app, re-discover |
| Routine doesn't trigger | Rename trigger phrase, check routine history |
| Wrong device activates | Rename devices to be more distinct |
| Skill timeout | Check Lambda CloudWatch logs, increase timeout |
| "I don't know that" | Add more sample utterances to intent |
Privacy Controls
Voice history: Alexa app → Privacy → Review Voice History. Enable auto-delete (3 or 18 months).
Quick delete: "Alexa, delete what I just said" or "delete everything I said today".
Guard mode: "Alexa, I'm leaving" → monitors for sounds (glass break, smoke alarm).
When to Load More
| Situation | Reference |
|---|---|
| Full command list by category | commands.md |
| Smart home protocols, setup, troubleshooting | smart-home.md |
| Building custom skills, Lambda, certification | development.md |