title: "Creating skills for Alice" description: "An example of creating a skill for Alice in two programming languages: Python and Node.js As an example, we'll create an Alice's skill called <q>Parrot</q> that will repeat everything the user writes or says." keywords:

• creating skills for Alice
• Alice skills
• example of creating a skill for Alice

Creating skills for Alice

As an example, we will create a skill called <q>Parrot</q>, which repeats everything a user writes or says. The example is based on two programming languages: Python and Node.js.

To add an Alice skill based on a function:

1. Prepare your cloud.
2. Prepare the skill code.
3. Create a function.
4. Create a function version.
5. Add the function link to Alice's skill.
6. Test the skill.

If you no longer need the resources you created, delete them.

You can find more information about developing skills for Alice here.

Getting started {#before-you-begin}

{% include before-you-begin %}

Prepare the code for Alice's skill {#prepare-code}

To create a version of a function, you can use one of the code upload formats. As an example, we will upload the code as a ZIP archive.

{% list tabs %}

• Python

  1. Download a sample file from GitHub: parrot.py.
  2. Create a ZIP archive named parrot-py.zip and add the parrot.py file.

• Node.js

  1. Download a sample file from GitHub: index.js.
  2. Create a ZIP archive named parrot-js.zip and add the index.js file.

{% endlist %}

Create a function {#create-function}

Once created, the function will only contain information about itself, like its name, description, and unique ID. The skill's code will be added to the function when creating a version.

1. In the [management console]({{ link-console-main }}), select the folder to create your function in.

2. Click Create resource.

3. Select Function.

4. Enter a function name.

   {% include name-format %}

5. Click Create.

Create a function version {#create-version}

Select the programming language and create a version of the function.

{% list tabs %}

• Python

  1. In the [management console]({{ link-console-main }}), open {{ sf-name }} in the folder where you want to create the function version.
  2. Select the function to create the version for.
  3. Under Latest version, click Create in editor.
  4. Set the version parameters:
     • Runtime environment: python37.
     • Timeout, seconds: 2.
     • RAM: 128 MB.
     • Service account: None selected.
  5. Prepare the function code:
     • Method: ZIP archive.
     • File: parrot-py.zip.
     • Entry point: parrot.handler.
  6. Click Create version.

• Node.js

  1. In the [management console]({{ link-console-main }}), open {{ sf-name }} in the folder where you want to create the function version.
  2. Select the function to create the version for.
  3. Under Latest version, click Create in editor.
  4. Set the version parameters:
     • Runtime environment: nodejs12.
     • Timeout, seconds: 2.
     • RAM: 128 MB.
     • Service account: None selected.
  5. Prepare the function code:
     • Method: ZIP archive.
     • File: parrot-js.zip.
     • Entry point: index.handler.
  6. Click Create version.

{% endlist %}

Add the function link to Alice's skill {#add-link}

1. Go to the Alice skill page in your dashboard.

2. Click Create dialog. In the window that opens, select Alice skill.

3. On the Settings tab, in the Backend field, select Function in {{ yandex-cloud }}. Select the function you need from the dropdown list.

   {% note warning %}

   The list shows the functions that you're allowed to view. To attach a function to a skill, you need permission to launch the function. This permission is part of the roles {{ roles-functions-ivoker }}, {{ roles-editor }} and higher.

   {% endnote %}

4. Click Save at the bottom of the page to save changes.

Test the skill {#test}

1. Open the Testing tab on the skill page in your dashboard.
2. If everything is set up correctly, the Chat section will display a message inviting you to start a conversation: Hello! I'll repeat anything you say to me..
3. Send a message and make sure the response is the same.

How to delete created resources {#clear-out}

To stop the skill, delete the function.