Control devices, run automations, and help users get more from Alexa with smart home, routines, and skill development guidance.
Naming for reliable control: Location + device type. "Kitchen light", "Bedroom fan". Avoid model numbers.
Room-based commands:
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.
Create via: Alexa app → More → Routines
Triggers:
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.
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.
Adding devices:
Groups vs Scenes:
Multi-room audio: Create speaker groups, then "Play music on [group name]" or "Play everywhere".
When building custom skills:
Certification blockers: Example phrases that don't work exactly as written, generic help intent, missing privacy policy.
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| "Device not responding" | Check Wi-Fi, verify in Alexa app, re-discover |
| Routine doesn't trigger | Rename trigger phrase, check routine history |
| Wrong device activates | Rename devices to be more distinct |
| Skill timeout | Check Lambda CloudWatch logs, increase timeout |
| "I don't know that" | Add more sample utterances to intent |
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).
| Situation | Reference |
|---|---|
| Full command list by category | commands.md |
| Smart home protocols, setup, troubleshooting | smart-home.md |
| Building custom skills, Lambda, certification | development.md |