Learn to build an Amazon Alexa Skill with Node.js (and get paid to do it)
Learn why voice is the future, and build your first Amazon Alexa Skill in just 20 minutes. (And then get Amazon to pay you for it)
Preface
Hey! I’m Brandon. I created codeburst.io and I write JavaScript tutorials and articles to help beginners better understand the inner workings of Web Development. If you have any questions about the article, leave a comment and I’ll get back to you, or find me on twitter @brandonmorelli. Lastly, when you’re ready to really dive into Web Development, Check out the Best Courses for Learning Full Stack Web Development
What the heck is Amazon Alexa
If you haven’t heard of Alexa yet, Alexa is an intelligent personal assistant developed by Amazon. It’s essentially a voice activated speaker that you can ask questions to, and get tailored responses back.
You can purchase an Amazon Echo, Tap, or Dot to make use of Alexa. They vary in price from $50-$170.
Why learn how to build an Alexa Skill?
Last night I went to a Full-Stack Boston Meetup about Developing on Amazon Alexa. I don’t actually have an Echo or Dot, but my father does, so I figured I’d see what it was all about.
Rob McCauley, the presenter for the evening, and an Amazon Alexa Solutions Architect, made a compelling point:
Voice is the next big thing. We’re already seeing it with smart homes where you can use your voice to turn on/off lights, and adjust your thermostat. We’re also starting to see it in vehicles to promote hands free driving. But voice is still in its infant stages. There’s no better time to jump on the ship and start learning.
Get Paid to do it?
Yes. All Alexa skills are free by default. However, Amazon is looking to expand the number of Alexa games on the market. Develop a game, release it to the market, and at the end of each month you get a check from Amazon. Details are spotty as it’s a new program, but you can read the FAQ’s here.
What if I don’t have a device?
You can buy one on Amazon, but you don’t have to. Amazon has made it easy to test your skills without a device. For example, you can use EchoSim.io to simulate an Amazon Echo. Simply hold down your space bar and start talking. The website will simulate Alexa’s response:
How do I build?
It’s surprisingly easy, even without a device. You’ll have your first Skill live and on your device (or online testing device) in just 20 minutes. To start, you need three (free) things:
That’s seriously it. Once you’ve created your two accounts, head over to the GitHub repo. It’s an awesome resource that walks you step-by-step through the creation of a sample Alexa Skill called Space Facts.
You’ll first create the back-end and host it for free on AWS Lambda. Then you’ll move on to the front-end, copying code from the GitHub Repo into your Amazon Developer Account.
If you’re familiar with Node.js, it’ll take you about 20 minutes to get your first app up and running. If you need a more in-depth tutorial on Node, check out my Top Three Node.js courses.
Next Steps
Once you’ve finished the tutorial above, you have all the skills you need to start building new skills! The Alexa Cookbook is a great GitHub resource that showcase more advanced concepts, and can provide you with a creative push if you’re struggling to come up with ideas on your own.
If you run into any problems, or need help along the way, feel free to tweet me @brandonmorelli
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