Get Started with Device Templates
You can connect virtually any type of device to Alexa using the Smart Home Skill API. To help you get started, we've provided the following set of device templates. These templates show how you can connect various types of devices by using the capability interfaces as building blocks to connect a device to Alexa. You can modify these template to suit the needs of your specific device by choosing a different set of capabilities or modifying their configuration.
You can also fully customize the voice user interface (VUI) for any device by adding support for the CustomIntent capability. For more information about how to extend the VUI of any device with custom functionality, see Add Custom Voice Interaction to a Smart Home Skill. This feature is available in preview. To request access to the preview, fill out this survey.
Device templates
| Device | Description | Category | Recommended capabilities |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Shows how to connect a smart camera. |
CAMERA |
||
|
Shows how to connect a color-changing light bulb. |
LIGHT |
PowerController |
|
|
Shows how to connect a dimmable light bulb. |
LIGHT |
||
|
Shows how to connect a dimmable switch. |
SWITCH |
||
|
Shows how to connect an entertainment device. |
TV, SPEAKER |
PowerController |
|
|
Shows how to connect a smart amplifier. |
SPEAKER |
PowerController |
|
|
Shows how to connect a smart lock. |
SMARTLOCK, DOOR |
||
|
Shows how to connect a smart plug. |
SMARTPLUG |
||
|
Shows how to connect a smart switch. |
SWITCH |
||
|
Shows how to connect a tower fan. |
OTHER |
PowerController |
|
|
Shows how to connect a wall thermostat. |
THERMOSTAT |
||
|
Shows how to connect a Wi-Fi router. |
OTHER |
ToggleController "Guest Network" |
|
|
Shows how to connect a window AC unit. |
OTHER |
PowerController |
Related resources
For details on state reporting, see Understand State Reporting for a Smart Home Skill.
If the device has additional capabilities, you can add other capability interfaces.