Using Session Attributes in an Alexa Skill

1. Initialize the ASK CLI:

   ask init --no-browser
   

2. Copy/paste the URL that appears from the terminal to a browser window.

3. Log in to the developer console when prompted.

4. Copy/paste the authorization code.

5. Enter y for Yes to connect to the AWS account already set up on the VM.

6. Choose the default AWS account.

1. Clone the template skill:

   ask new --url https://github.com/linuxacademy/content-aws-skill-builder.git
   

2. Navigate into the directory:

   cd content-aws-skill-builder
   

3. To start with a template and perform the tasks for this lab yourself:

git checkout lab_attributes

1. To start with the solution to the lab:

   git checkout lab_attributes_solution
   

In ../lambda/custom/index.js:

1. Add session attributes to LaunchRequest:

     const LaunchRequestHandler = {
         canHandle(handlerInput) {
             return Alexa.getRequestType(handlerInput.requestEnvelope) === 'LaunchRequest';
         },
         handle(handlerInput) {
             const vets = { "dog": "Dr. Kay Nine", "cat": "Dr. Fee Line" }
             handlerInput.attributesManager.setSessionAttributes(vets);
   
             const speakOutput = "Exclusive Veterinary Services welcomes you. You can say I want to register my pet.";
   
             return handlerInput.responseBuilder
                 .speak(speakOutput)
                 .reprompt(speakOutput)
                 .withSimpleCard('Exclusive Vet Services', 'We are here for your fur-baby.')
                 .getResponse();
         }
     };
   

2. Get session attributes and use in the response in CompletedRegisterPetIntentHandler:

     const CompletedRegisterPetIntentHandler = {
         canHandle(handlerInput) {
             const request = handlerInput.requestEnvelope.request;
   
           return request.type === 'IntentRequest'
             && request.intent.name === 'RegisterPetIntent'
             && request.dialogState === 'COMPLETED';
         },
         handle(handlerInput) {
   
             // Session attributes
             const vets = handlerInput.attributesManager.getSessionAttributes();
             console.log('have vets')
             // Slot values
             pet_type = handlerInput.requestEnvelope.request.intent.slots.pet_type.resolutions.resolutionsPerAuthority[0].values[0].value.name
             pet_name = handlerInput.requestEnvelope.request.intent.slots.pet_name.value
             pet_breed = handlerInput.requestEnvelope.request.intent.slots.pet_type.value
             console.log('ready for output')
             const speechOutput1 = "We are happy to welcome your " + pet_breed + ". Your " + pet_type + " named " + pet_name + " is registered! ";
             const speechOutput2 = pet_name + "'s veterinarian is " + (pet_type === "dog" ? vets.dog : vets.cat) + ".";
             const speakOutput = speechOutput1 + speechOutput2
   
             return handlerInput.responseBuilder
                 .speak(speakOutput)
                 //.reprompt('add a reprompt if you want to keep the session open for the user to respond')
                 .getResponse();
         }
     };
   

1. Deploy the skill:

   ask deploy
   

2. Begin performing a test:

   ask dialog --locale en-US
   

3. The prompt will change to User >.

4. Enter open exclusive vet and follow the prompts.

At this point the skill you just created should be deleted from your Alexa Console.

Please do so at this link Alexa Console.