Skip to content

Latest commit

 

History

History
57 lines (30 loc) · 6.89 KB

2-lambda-function.md

File metadata and controls

57 lines (30 loc) · 6.89 KB
Raw

Build An Alexa Decision Tree Skill

Voice User InterfaceLambda FunctionConnect VUI to CodeTestingCustomizationPublication

Setting Up A Lambda Function Using Amazon Web Services

In the first step of this guide, we built the Voice User Interface (VUI) for our Alexa skill. On this page, we will be creating an AWS Lambda function using Amazon Web Services. You can read more about what a Lambda function is, but for the purposes of this guide, what you need to know is that AWS Lambda is where our code lives. When a user asks Alexa to use our skill, it is our AWS Lambda function that interprets the appropriate interaction, and provides the conversation back to the user.

  1. Go to http://aws.amazon.com and sign in to the console. If you don't already have an account, you will need to create one. If you don't have an AWS account, check out this quick walkthrough for setting it up.

  2. Click "Services" at the top of the screen, and type "Lambda" in the search box. You can also find Lambda in the list of services. It is in the "Compute" section.

  3. Check your AWS region. AWS Lambda only works with the Alexa Skills Kit in two regions: US East (N. Virginia) and EU (Ireland). Make sure you choose the region closest to your customers.

  4. Click the "Create a Lambda function" button. It should be near the top of your screen. (If you don't see this button, it is because you haven't created a Lambda function before. Click the blue "Get Started" button near the center of your screen.)

  5. There are two boxes labeled "Author from scratch" and "Blueprints". Click the radio button in the box titled "Blueprints" then choose the blueprint named "alexa-skill-kit-sdk-factskill". We have created a blueprint as a shortcut to getting everything set up for your skill. You can search for a blueprint using the provided search box. This blueprint adds the alexa-sdk to your Lambda function so that you don't have to upload it yourself.

  6. Configure your function. This screen is where we will enter the important parts of our Lambda function. These values will only ever be visible to you, but make sure that you name your function something meaningful. "DecisionTree" is sufficient if you don't have another idea for a name.

  1. Set up your Lambda function role. If you haven't done this before, we have a detailed walkthrough for setting up your first role for Lambda. If you have done this before, set your Existing role value to "lambda_basic_execution."

  2. Click Create Function in the bottom right corner. You will need to scroll down to find Create Function.

  3. After you create the function, the ARN value appears in the top right corner. Copy this value for use in the next section of the guide.

  4. Configure your trigger. Look at the column on the left called "Add triggers", and select Alexa Skills Kit from the list. If you don't see Alexa Skills Kit in the list, jump back to step #3 on this page.

Once you have selected Alexa Skills Kit, scroll down and click the Add button. Then click the Save button in the top right. You should see a green success message at the top of your screen. Now, click the box that has the Lambda icon followed by the name of your function (DecisionTree if you used our suggestion) and scroll down to the field called "Function code".

  1. Copy and paste the provided code into the Lambda function code box. We have provided the code for this skill on GitHub. Delete the contents of the code box, and paste the contents of the new code. Click "Save".