/install alexa
Device Control
Naming for reliable control: Location + device type. "Kitchen light", "Bedroom fan". Avoid model numbers.
Room-based commands:
- "Turn off the bedroom" (all devices in room)
- "Turn on downstairs lights" (group)
- "Set living room to 72" (thermostat)
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.
Routines
Create via: Alexa app → More → Routines
Triggers:
- Voice phrase (unique, not similar to built-in commands)
- Schedule (time, sunrise/sunset)
- Device state (door unlocks, motion detected)
- Location (geofence enter/exit)
- Alarm dismissed
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.
Shortcuts Integration
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.
Smart Home Setup
Adding devices:
- Enable brand's skill in Alexa app
- Link account if required
- "Alexa, discover devices" or Devices → + → Add Device
- Assign to room (critical for room-based commands)
Groups vs Scenes:
- Groups: multiple devices, same action ("turn off downstairs")
- Scenes: multiple devices, preset states ("movie time" → dim lights, close blinds)
Multi-room audio: Create speaker groups, then "Play music on [group name]" or "Play everywhere".
Skill Development
When building custom skills:
- Required intents: AMAZON.HelpIntent, AMAZON.StopIntent, AMAZON.CancelIntent, AMAZON.FallbackIntent
- Test in simulator AND on physical device (simulator misses edge cases)
- 10-20 sample utterances per intent minimum
- Voice-first: users don't see a screen
Certification blockers: Example phrases that don't work exactly as written, generic help intent, missing privacy policy.
Troubleshooting
| 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 |
Privacy Controls
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).
When to Load More
| Situation | Reference |
|---|---|
| Full command list by category | commands.md |
| Smart home protocols, setup, troubleshooting | smart-home.md |
| Building custom skills, Lambda, certification | development.md |
- Make sure OpenClaw is installed (local or Docker)
- Run the install command in chat:
/install alexa - After installation, invoke the skill by name or use
/alexa - Provide required inputs per the skill's parameter spec and get structured output
What is Alexa?
Control devices, run automations, and help users get more from Alexa with smart home, routines, and skill development guidance. It is an AI Agent Skill for Claude Code / OpenClaw, with 1069 downloads so far.
How do I install Alexa?
Run "/install alexa" in the OpenClaw or Claude Code chat to install it in one step — no extra setup required.
Is Alexa free?
Yes, Alexa is completely free (open-source). You can download, install and use it at no cost.
Which platforms does Alexa support?
Alexa is cross-platform and runs anywhere OpenClaw / Claude Code is available (cross-platform).
Who created Alexa?
It is built and maintained by Iván (@ivangdavila); the current version is v1.0.0.