Creating a skill for Alice

As an example, we will create a skill called Parrot, which repeats everything a user writes or says. The example is available in two programming languages: Python and Node.js.

To add an Alice skill based on a function:

1. Get your cloud ready.
2. Prepare the skill code.
3. Create a function.
4. Create a function version.
5. Add the function link to Alice's skill.
6. Test the skill.

If you no longer need the resources you created, delete them.

You can find more information about developing skills for Alice here.

Getting startedGetting started

Sign up in Yandex Cloud and create a billing account:

1. Navigate to the management console and log in to Yandex Cloud or register a new account.
2. On the Yandex Cloud Billing page, make sure you have a billing account linked and it has the ACTIVE or TRIAL_ACTIVE status. If you do not have a billing account, create one and link a cloud to it.

If you have an active billing account, you can navigate to the cloud page to create or select a folder for your infrastructure to operate in.

Learn more about clouds and folders.

Prepare the code for Alice's skillPrepare the code for Alice's skill

To create a version of a function, you can use one of the code upload formats. As an example, we will upload the code as a ZIP archive.

Create a functionCreate a function

Once created, the function will only contain information about itself, like its name, description, and unique ID. The skill's code will be added to the function when creating a version.

1. In the management console, select the folder to create your function in.

2. Click Create resource.

3. Select Function.

4. Enter a function name. The naming requirements are as follows:

   • It must be from 2 to 63 characters long.
   • It may contain lowercase Latin letters, numbers, and hyphens.
   • It must start with a letter and cannot end with a hyphen.

5. Click Create.

Create a function versionCreate a function version

Select the programming language and create a version of the function.

Add the function link to Alice's skillAdd the function link to Alice's skill

1. Go to the Alice skill page in your dashboard.

2. Click Create dialog. In the window that opens, select Alice skill.

3. On the Settings tab, in the Backend field, select Function in Yandex Cloud. Select the function you need from the dropdown list.

   Warning

   The list shows the functions that you are allowed to view. To attach a function to a skill, you need permission to launch the function. This permission is included in the functions.functionInvoker and editor roles or higher.

4. Click Save at the bottom of the page to save changes.

Test the skillTest the skill

1. Open the Testing tab on the skill page in your dashboard.
2. If everything is set up correctly, the Chat section will display a message inviting you to start a conversation: Hello! I'll repeat anything you say to me..
3. Send a message and make sure the response is the same.

How to delete the resources you createdHow to delete the resources you created

To stop the skill, delete the function.