Alexa Skills Kit SDK for Python
The ASK SDK for Python makes it easier for you to build highly engaging skills, by allowing you to spend more time on implementing features and less on writing boiler-plate code.
The ASK SMAPI SDK for Python provides developers a library for easily interacting with all Skill Management APIs (SMAPI), including interaction model, intent request history, and in-skill purchasing APIs.
Package Versions
| Package | Version |
| ask-sdk-runtime |  |
| ask-sdk-core |  |
| ask-sdk-dynamodb-persistence-adapter |  |
| ask-sdk | |
| ask-sdk-local-debug |  |
| ask-sdk-webservice-support |  |
| flask-ask-sdk |  |
| django-ask-sdk |  |
| ask-sdk-jinja-renderer |  |
| ask-smapi-sdk |  |
Technical Documentation
ASK SDK
ASK SMAPI SDK
Models
The SDK works on model classes rather than native Alexa JSON requests and responses. These model classes are generated using the Request, Response JSON schemas from the developer docs.
The documentation for the model classes can be found here.
Samples
Hello World (using Classes)
This code sample will allow you to hear a response from Alexa when you trigger it. It is a minimal sample to get you familiarized with the Alexa Skills Kit and AWS Lambda.
This sample shows how to create a skill using the Request Handler classes. For more information, check the Request Processing documentation.
Hello World (using Decorators)
This code sample will allow you to hear a response from Alexa when you trigger it. It is a minimal sample to get you familiarized with the Alexa Skills Kit and AWS Lambda.
This sample shows how to create a skill using the Request Handler Decorators. For more information, check the Request Processing documentation.
Color Picker
This is a step-up in functionality from Hello World. When the user provides their favorite color, Alexa remembers it and tells the user their favorite color.
It allows you to capture input from your user and demonstrates the use of Slots. It also demonstrates use of session attributes and request, response interceptors.
Fact
Template for a basic fact skill. You’ll provide a list of interesting facts about a topic, Alexa will select a fact at random and tell it to the user when the skill is invoked.
Demonstrates use of multiple locales and internationalization in the skill.
Quiz Game
Template for a basic quiz game skill. Alexa quizzes the user with facts from a list you provide.
Demonstrates use of render template directives to support displays on Alexa-enabled devices with a screen.
Device Address
Sample skill that shows how to request and access the configured address in the user’s device settings.
Demonstrates how to use the alexa APIs using the SDK. For more information, check the documentation on Alexa Service Clients
Fact with In-Skill Purchases
Sample fact skill with in-skill purchase features, by offering different packs of facts behind a purchase, and a subscription to unlock all of the packs at once.
Demonstrates calling monetization alexa service and using ASK CLI to enable in-skill purchasing.
City Guide
Template for a local recommendations skill. Alexa uses the data that you provide to offer recommendations according to the user's stated preferences.
Demonstrates calling external APIs from the skill.
Pet Match
Sample skill that matches the user with a pet. Alexa prompts the user for the information it needs to determine a match. Once all of the required information is collected, the skill sends the data to an external web service that processes the data and returns the match.
Demonstrates how to prompt and parse multiple values from customers using Dialog Management and Entity Resolution.
High Low Game
Template for a basic high-low game skill. When the user guesses a number, Alexa tells the user whether the number she has in mind is higher or lower.
Demonstrates use of persistence attributes and the persistence adapter in the SDK.
Audio Player
Project that demonstrates how to use AudioPlayer interface and PlaybackController interface for building audioplayer skills in Alexa. The SingleStream skill sample demonstrates how to create a live radio skill, along with localization support. The MultiStream skill sample demonstrates how to create a basic podcast skill that can play multiple, pre-recorded audio streams.
Pager Karaoke
This sample demonstrates 3 features of APL: the Pager Component, SpeakItem Command, and accessing device characteristics in the skill code.
Alexa Capabilities supported by SDK
- Amazon Pay
- Audio Player
- Display – Body templates for devices with a screen
- GadgetsGame Engine – Echo Buttons
- Directive Service (Progressive Response)
- Messaging
- Monetization
- Video
- Device Address
- Lists
- Request for customer contact information
- Obtain customer settings information
- Account Linking
- Entity Resolution
- Dialog Management
- Location Services
- Reminders
- Proactive Events
- Dynamic Entities
- Skill Messaging
- Connections
Preview
Hosting Skills on Non-Lambda Resources
SDK provides ask-sdk-webservice-support package, that allows hosting
skills as custom web services. It also provides framework specific adapters
under flask-ask-sdk and django-ask-sdk packages, to integrate
skills on the respective frameworks and deploy as web service.
More information on how to use these packages can be found on this documentation link.
Got Feedback?
- We would like to hear about your bugs, feature requests, questions or quick feedback. Please search for existing issues before opening a new one. It would also be helpful if you follow the templates for issue and pull request creation. Please follow the contributing guidelines for pull requests!!
- Request and vote for Alexa features! Remember to select the category as ASK SDK if your feature request is specific to SDK.
Additional Resources
Other Language Alexa Skills Kit SDKs
Alexa Skills Kit SDK for NodeJS
Alexa Skills Kit SDK for JavaCommunity
- Amazon Developer Forums : Join the conversation!
- Hackster.io - See what others are building with Alexa.
Tutorials & Guides
- Voice Design Guide - A great resource for learning conversational and voice user interface design.