Let's follow these steps for skill-building:
- We shall make use of a Python micro-framework called Flask-Ask (https://flask-ask.readthedocs.io/en/latest/), which simplifies our lives when it comes to developing Alexa skills.
It is a Flask extension that helps build Alexa skills quickly and with ease. Having prior knowledge of Flask (https://www.fullstackpython.com/flask.html) is not mandatory. You can install flask-ask using the pip command:
$ pip install flask-ask
- Create a developer account with Alexa (https://developer.amazon.com/). It is free to create and try out Alexa skills. Alexa skills should run either behind a public HTTPS server or a Lambda function (https://aws.amazon.com/lambda/).
- We shall make use of an open source command-line program called ngrok (http://ngrok.com/) for this purpose as it helps in opening a secure tunnel to the localhost and exposes it behind the HTTPS endpoint.
- You need to create an account and follow the setup and installation steps in the getting started page (https://dashboard.ngrok.com/get-started), as shown here:
Setting and installing ngrok
Now, let's learn how to create an Alexa skill.