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 and a function version.
4. Add the function link to Alice's skill.
5. 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 for Yandex Cloud and create a billing account:

1. Navigate to the management console and log in to Yandex Cloud or create 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.

Learn more about clouds and folders here.

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 function and a function versionCreate a function and a function version

Once created, the function will contain only information about itself: name, description, unique ID, etc. The actual skill code will be added to the function version.

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

2. Click Create resource and select Function.

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

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

4. Click Create.

5. Create a function version:

   Python

   Node.js

   1. From the list of programming languages, select Python 3.12.

   2. Disable Add files with code examples and click Continue.

   3. Prepare the function code:

      • In the Method field, select ZIP archive and attach the parrot-py.zip archive you created earlier.
      • In the Entry point field, specify parrot.handler.

   4. Set the version parameters:

      • Timeout: 2.
      • Memory: 128 MB.
      • Leave the rest of the parameters at their defaults.

   5. Click Save changes.

   1. From the list of programming languages, select Node.js 18.

   2. Disable Add files with code examples and click Continue.

   3. Prepare the function code:

      • In the Method field, select ZIP archive and attach the parrot-js.zip archive you created earlier.
      • In the Entry point field, specify index.handler.

   4. Set the version parameters:

      • Timeout: 2.
      • Memory: 128 MB.
      • Leave the rest of the parameters at their defaults.

   5. Click Save changes.

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 Skill.

3. On the Settings tab:

   1. In the Skill name field, specify a unique name for the skill you are creating.
   2. In the Backend field, select Function in Yandex Cloud. Select the function you created earlier from the drop-down 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.

   1. At the bottom of the page, click Save.

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.