Alexa

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:

1. Enable brand's skill in Alexa app
2. Link account if required
3. "Alexa, discover devices" or Devices → + → Add Device
4. 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

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).

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