Alerts Interface | Alexa Voice Service

The Alerts Interface exposes directives and events that are used to set, manage and cancel timers, alarms, and reminders. Your client must implement the logic necessary to manage timers, alarms, and reminders if internet connectivity is lost or if the on-product clock is out of sync with NTP. Please reference the Alerts Overview and the Interaction Model for additional implementation details.

Version Changes

The Alerts interface has been enhanced to allow the deletion of multiple alerts via the DeleteAlerts directive, DeleteAlertsFailed event, and DeleteAlertsSucceeded event.
SetVolume and AdjustVolume directives, and the VolumeChanged event have been added to the Alerts interface. The addition of these directives and events enable the end user to control alert volume via the Amazon Alexa app.
Users can select custom alert tones within the Amazon Alexa app. See AVS UX Attention System for guidance on how to manage alerts, including custom alerts, for your product.

State Diagram

The following diagram illustrates state changes driven by the Alerts component. Boxes represent Alerts states and connectors indicate transitions.

Alerts supports the following states:

IDLE: Prior to a previously set alert going off, the Alerts component should be in the idle state. Alerts should also return to an idle state once an alert is stopped/finished. This can occur as the result of user speech, a physical button press, or GUI affordance.

FOREGROUND ALERT: Assuming an on-client alert has already been set, Alerts should transition from the idle state to the alert foreground state when an alert starts and the AlertStarted event is sent to the Alexa Voice Service.

This is only true if the Alerts channel is in the foreground, which implies the Dialog channel is inactive. For more information on channels and channel prioritization, please see Interaction Model.

When an alert is stopped via speech, button press, or GUI affordance, the Alerts component should transition from the alert foreground state to the idle state.

If the Dialog channel becomes active while an alert is going off, your Alerts component should transition from the foreground alert state to the background alert state as long as the Dialog channel is active. When the Dialog channel becomes inactive, it should return to the foreground alert state until it is stopped/finished.

BACKGROUND ALERT: The Alerts component should only transition to the background alert state when the Dialog channel is active. For more information on channels and channel prioritization see Interaction Model.

Capabilities API

To use version 1.3 of the Alerts interface, it must be declared in your call to the Capabilities API. For additional details, see Capabilities API.

Sample Object

{
    "type": "AlexaInterface",
    "interface": "Alerts",
    "version": "1.3",
    "configurations": {
        "maximumAlerts": {
            "overall": {{INTEGER}},
            "alarms": {{INTEGER}},
            "timers": {{INTEGER}}
        }
    }
}

Configuration Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
maximumAlerts	An object that contains configuration information for your Alerts implementation.	object
maximumAlerts.overall	The maximum number of combined alerts (timers and alarms) your product can store at a given time.	integer
maximumAlerts.alarms	The maximum number of alarms your product can store at a given time.	integer
maximumAlerts.timers	The maximum number of timers your product can store at a given time.	integer

Tip: The sum of maximumAlerts.alarms and maximumAlerts.timers may exceed the value provided for maximumAlerts.overall. For example, you can declare that maximumAlerts.overall == 10 and that maximumAlerts.alarms and maximumAlerts.timers each == 8; but if 7 alarms are set, you can only set 3 timers.

Alerts Context

Alexa expects a client to report the status of all locally stored alerts with each event that requires context. Alerts are organized into two lists: allAlerts and activeAlerts. allAlerts is a complete list of locally stored alerts. activeAlerts is a list of alerts currently in focus or sounding for an end user.

To learn more about reporting Context, see Context Overview.

Sample Message

{
    "header": {
        "namespace": "Alerts",
        "name": "AlertsState"
    },
    "payload": {
        "allAlerts": [
            {
                "token": "{{STRING}}",
                "type": "{{STRING}}",
                "scheduledTime": "{{STRING}}"
            }
        ],
        "activeAlerts": [
            {
                "token": "{{STRING}}",
                "type": "{{STRING}}",
                "scheduledTime": "{{STRING}}"
            }
        ]
    }
}

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
allAlerts	Key/value pairs for allAlerts	object
allAlerts.token	Alert token returned by Alexa when the alert was set.	string
allAlerts.type	Identifies the alert type. Accepted Values: TIMER, ALARM, REMINDER.	string
allAlerts.scheduledTime	Timestamp for when the alert is scheduled in YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss±hhmm ISO 8601 format. Example value: "2018-11-28T09:34:32+0000"	string
activeAlerts	Key/value pairs for activeAlerts	object
activeAlerts.token	The token for the alert that is currently firing.	string
activeAlerts.type	Identifies the alert type. Accepted Values: TIMER or ALARM	string
activeAlerts.scheduledTime	Timestamp for when the alert is scheduled in YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss±hhmm ISO 8601 format. Example value: "2018-11-28T09:34:32+0000"	string

SetAlert Directive

This directive instructs your client to set a timer, alarm, or reminder for a specific duration or time. Your client may receive the SetAlert directive as a result of a speech request to set an alert, or when a previously set alert is re-enabled using the Amazon Alexa app.

If loopCount is absent from the payload, the alert must sound for one hour or until it is stopped by the user (voice request or physical affordance).

Cloud provided assets take precedence over locally stored audio files. If assets are provided they must be played for the user in the order provided in the assetPlayOrder list. Otherwise, use the audio files for alerts provided by Amazon.

Important: If the assets.url[i] is unreachable, or if your client fails to download the associated files, it should play the audio files for the associated alert type provided by Amazon and adhere to the provided loopCount and loopPauseInMilliSeconds.

Sample Message

{
    "directive": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "SetAlert",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}",
            "dialogRequestId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}",
            "type": "{{STRING}}",
            "scheduledTime": "{{STRING}}",
            "assets": [
                {
                    "assetId": "{{STRING}}",
                    "url": "{{STRING}}"
                },
                {
                    "assetId": "{{STRING}}",
                    "url": "{{STRING}}"
                },
            ],
            "assetPlayOrder": [ {{LIST}} ],
            "backgroundAlertAsset": "{{STRING}}",
            "loopCount": {{LONG}},
            "loopPauseInMilliSeconds": {{LONG}}
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string
dialogRequestId	A unique ID used to correlate directives sent in response to a specific `Recognize` event.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token that uniquely identifies the alert.	string
type	Identifies the alert type. If an unrecognized value is sent to your client, it should default to an `ALARM`. Accepted values: `TIMER`, `ALARM`, `REMINDER`.	string
scheduledTime	Timestamp for when the alert is scheduled in YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss±hhmm ISO 8601 format. Example value: "2018-11-28T09:34:32+0000"	string
assets	A list that contains audio assets to be played to the user.	list
assets[i].assetId	A unique identifier for the audio asset.	string
assets[i].url	Identifies the location of the asset in the cloud. This asset may be downloaded and cached by your client. The URL provided is valid for 60 minutes after the `scheduledTime`.	string
assetPlayOrder	The sequence that audio assets must be played. The list is comprised of `assetId`s. Note: i) `assetId`s may appear multiple times in the list. When this occurs, all `assetId`s must be played. ii) If your client fails to download and cache the assets, your device should use the audio files provided by Amazon.	list
backgroundAlertAsset	If present, the `backgroundAlertAsset` value will match an `assetId` in the `assets` list. If `backgroundAlertAsset` is not included in the payload, default to the Amazon provided sound in the Alexa sound library for AVS, which is available to download in the Alexa Voice Service > Resources section of the Developer Console.	string
loopCount	The number of times each sequence of assets must be played. For example: If the value is `2`, your client must loop through `assetPlayOrder` two times. Note: If `loopCount` is absent from the payload, you must loop the `assets` for one hour, or until the alert is stopped by the user.	long
loopPauseInMilliSeconds	Duration between the beginnings of each asset loop, which includes the asset rendering time. For example: If a single alarm sound has a 200-millisecond duration and `loopPauseInMilliSeconds` is `700`, assuming `loopCount` is greater than `1`, your client must render 500 milliseconds of silence between the end of one instance of the alarm sound and the beginning of the next. If the Alerts channel is sent to the background (regardless of whether it is currently rendering the asset or silent between loops), wait the full duration of `loopPauseInMilliSeconds` before rendering the background asset. If it regains foreground focus, begin rendering the foreground asset immediately. Note: If this value is not specified, is set to `0`, or is shorter than the duration of the asset, there must not be any silence between asset loops.	long

SetAlertSucceeded Event

The SetAlertSucceeded event must be sent to AVS after receiving a SetAlert directive, when the client successfully sets the alert.

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "SetAlertSucceeded",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token provided by the `SetAlert` directive.	string

SetAlertFailed Event

The SetAlertFailed event must be sent to AVS after receiving a SetAlert directive, when the client fails to sets an alert.

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "SetAlertFailed",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token provided by the `SetAlert` directive.	string

DeleteAlert Directive

This directive is sent from AVS instructing your client to delete an existing alert. Your client may receive the DeleteAlert directive as a result of a speech request to cancel/delete a timer, alarm, or reminder, or when a previously set alert is deleted using the Amazon Alexa app.

Sample Message

{
    "directive": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "DeleteAlert",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}",
            "dialogRequestId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string
dialogRequestId	A unique ID used to correlate directives sent in response to a specific `Recognize` event.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token that uniquely identifies the alert.	string

DeleteAlertSucceeded Event

The DeleteAlertSucceeded event must be sent to AVS after receiving a DeleteAlert directive, when the client successfully deletes or cancels an existing alert.

Note: For more information on when to send the DeleteAlertSucceeded event, please see Alerts Overview.

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "DeleteAlertSucceeded",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token provided by the `DeleteAlert` directive.	string

DeleteAlertFailed Event

The DeleteAlertFailed event must be sent to AVS after receiving a DeleteAlert directive, when the client fails to delete or cancel an existing alert.

Note: For more information on when to send the DeleteAlertFailed event, please see Alerts Overview.

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "DeleteAlertFailed",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token provided by the `DeleteAlert` directive.	string

DeleteAlerts Directive

This directive instructs your client to delete all existing alerts on a product. Each alert is identified by a unique token within the payload. Your client may receive the DeleteAlerts directive as a result of a speech request to cancel/delete all alerts.

If one or more alerts fail to be deleted, the client must rollback and send a DeleteAlertsFailed event to Alexa. Alexa will then retry until all alerts are deleted, at which point a DeleteAlertsSucceeded event must be sent by your client.

Note: If one or more alert tokens are not found on the product, the client should proceed with deleting all matching tokens. In this case, this process would not fail. DeleteAlerts should be sent only if one or more existing alert tokens on the product fail to be deleted.

Sample Message

{
    "directive": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "DeleteAlerts",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "tokens": ["{{STRING}}",...]
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string
dialogRequestId	A unique ID used to correlate directives sent in response to a specific `Recognize` event.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
tokens	An array of tokens. Each token is a string that uniquely represents an alert on the product.	string

DeleteAlertsSucceeded Event

The DeleteAlertsSucceeded event must be sent to AVS after receiving a DeleteAlerts directive, when the client successfully deletes or cancels all existing alerts within the tokens array.

Note: For more information on when to send the DeleteAlertsSucceeded event, please see Alerts Overview.

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "DeleteAlertsSucceeded",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "tokens": ["{{STRING}}",...]
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
tokens	An array of tokens. Each token is a string that uniquely represents an alert on the product.	string

DeleteAlertsFailed Event

The DeleteAlertsFailed event must be sent to AVS after receiving a DeleteAlerts directive, when the client fails to delete or cancel at least one of the existing alerts within the tokens array.

Note: For more information on when to send the DeleteAlertsFailed event, please see Alerts Overview.

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "DeleteAlertsFailed",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "tokens": ["{{STRING}}",...]
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
tokens	An array of tokens. Each token is a string that uniquely represents an alert on the product.	string

AlertStarted Event

The AlertStarted event must be sent to AVS when an alert is triggered at its scheduled time.

Note: For more information on when to send the AlertStarted event, please see Alerts Overview

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "AlertStarted",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token provided by the `SetAlert` directive.	string

AlertStopped Event

The AlertStopped event must be sent to AVS when an active alert is stopped. An alert is stopped when:

A DeleteAlert directive is received. After sending an AlertStopped event, your client must inform AVS if the alert was successfully deleted with either a DeleteAlertSucceeded event or DeleteAlertFailed event. This interaction is illustrated in Alerts Overview.
A physical control (hardware button or GUI) is used to stop the alert.
The loopCount is complete, or an alert without a loopCount has played for an hour and is stopped locally.

Note: For more information on when to send the StopAlert event, please see Alerts Overview.

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "AlertStopped",
            "messageId": "{STRING}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token provided by the `SetAlert` directive.	string

AlertEnteredForeground Event

The AlertEnteredForeground event must be sent from your client to AVS when an active alert enters the foreground (plays at full volume) or re-enters the foreground after a concurrent interaction on the Dialog channel finishes. For specific details on channel interaction, see Interaction Model.

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "AlertEnteredForeground",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token provided by the `SetAlert` directive.	string

AlertEnteredBackground Event

The AlertEnteredBackground event must be sent from your client to AVS when an active alert exits the foreground (attenuates or pauses) while a concurrent interaction on the Dialog channel is occurring. For specific details on channel interaction, see Interaction Model.

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "AlertEnteredBackground",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token provided in the `SetAlert` directive.	string

SetVolume Directive

This directive instructs a client to set the absolute volume level for an alert.

Sample Message

{
    "directive": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "SetVolume",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}",
            "dialogRequestId": {{STRING}}
        },
        "payload": {
            "volume": "{{LONG}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string
dialogRequestId	A unique ID used to correlate directives sent in response to a specific Recognize event.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
volume	The absolute volume level scaled from 0 (min) to 100 (max). Accepted values: Any value between 0 and 100, inclusive.	long

AdjustVolume Directive

This directive instructs a client to adjust the relative volume level of an alert.

Sample Message

{
    "directive": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "AdjustVolume",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}",
            "dialogRequestId": {{STRING}}
        },
        "payload": {
            "volume": "{{LONG}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string
dialogRequestId	A unique ID used to correlate directives sent in response to a specific Recognize event.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
volume	The relative volume adjustment. A positive or negative long value that is used to increase or decrease volume in relation to the current volume setting. Accepted values: Any value between -100 and 100, inclusive.	long

VolumeChanged Event

This event must be sent to AVS after receiving either a SetVolume or AdjustVolume directive.

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "VolumeChanged",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "volume": "{{LONG}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
volume	This is the volume that is locally adjusted on your product. Accepted values: Volume must be a value between 0 (min) and 100 (max), inclusive. Important: If your product locally supports volume adjustment from 0 to 10, you must scale this to a range of 0 to 100. For example, when the user increases the volume to 8, AVS expects the volume value sent to be 80.	long

Warning: This is not the current version of the Alerts interface, some features may not be supported. If this isn't what you're looking for, please use the Interface Version Selector to navigate to the correct version.

The Alerts Interface exposes directives and events that are used to set, manage and cancel timers, alarms, and reminders. Your client must implement the logic necessary to manage timers, alarms, and reminders if internet connectivity is lost or if the on-product clock is out of sync with NTP. Please reference the Alerts Overview and the Interaction Model for additional implementation details.

Version Changes

The payload of the SetAlert directive has been updated to support named timers and reminders. This change is backward compatible.

State Diagram

The following diagram illustrates state changes driven by the Alerts component. Boxes represent Alerts states and connectors indicate transitions.

Alerts supports the following states:

IDLE: Prior to a previously set alert going off, the Alerts component should be in the idle state. Alerts should also return to an idle state once an alert is stopped/finished. This can occur as the result of user speech, a physical button press, or GUI affordance.

FOREGROUND ALERT: Assuming an on-client alert has already been set, Alerts should transition from the idle state to the alert foreground state when an alert starts and the AlertStarted event is sent to the Alexa Voice Service.

This is only true if the Alerts channel is in the foreground, which implies the Dialog channel is inactive. For more information on channels and channel prioritization, please see Interaction Model.

When an alert is stopped via speech, button press, or GUI affordance, the Alerts component should transition from the alert foreground state to the idle state.

If the Dialog channel becomes active while an alert is going off, your Alerts component should transition from the foreground alert state to the background alert state as long as the Dialog channel is active. When the Dialog channel becomes inactive, it should return to the foreground alert state until it is stopped/finished.

BACKGROUND ALERT: The Alerts component should only transition to the background alert state when the Dialog channel is active. For more information on channels and channel prioritization see Interaction Model.

Capabilities API

To use version 1.1 of the Alerts interface, it must be declared in your call to the Capabilities API. For additional details, see Capabilities API.

Sample Object

{
    "type": "AlexaInterface",
    "interface": "Alerts",
    "version": "1.1",
    "configurations": {
        "maximumAlerts": {
            "overall": {{INTEGER}},
            "alarms": {{INTEGER}},
            "timers": {{INTEGER}}
        }
    }
}

Configuration Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
maximumAlerts	An object that contains configuration information for your Alerts implementation.	object
maximumAlerts.overall	The maximum number of combined alerts (timers and alarms) your product can store at a given time.	integer
maximumAlerts.alarms	The maximum number of alarms your product can store at a given time.	integer
maximumAlerts.timers	The maximum number of timers your product can store at a given time.	integer

Tip: The sum of maximumAlerts.alarms and maximumAlerts.timers may exceed the value provided for maximumAlerts.overall. For example, you can declare that maximumAlerts.overall == 10 and that maximumAlerts.alarms and maximumAlerts.timers each == 8; but if 7 alarms are set, you can only set 3 timers.

Alerts Context

Alexa expects a client to report the status of all locally stored alerts with each event that requires context. Alerts are organized into two lists: allAlerts and activeAlerts. allAlerts is a complete list of locally stored alerts. activeAlerts is a list of alerts currently in focus or sounding for an end user.

To learn more about reporting Context, see Context Overview.

Sample Message

{
    "header": {
        "namespace": "Alerts",
        "name": "AlertsState"
    },
    "payload": {
        "allAlerts": [
            {
                "token": "{{STRING}}",
                "type": "{{STRING}}",
                "scheduledTime": "{{STRING}}"
            }
        ],
        "activeAlerts": [
            {
                "token": "{{STRING}}",
                "type": "{{STRING}}",
                "scheduledTime": "{{STRING}}"
            }
        ]
    }
}

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
allAlerts	Key/value pairs for allAlerts	object
allAlerts.token	Alert token returned by Alexa when the alert was set.	string
allAlerts.type	Identifies the alert type. Accepted Values: TIMER, ALARM, REMINDER.	string
allAlerts.scheduledTime	Timestamp for when the alert is scheduled in YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss±hhmm ISO 8601 format. Example value: "2018-11-28T09:34:32+0000"	string
activeAlerts	Key/value pairs for activeAlerts	object
activeAlerts.token	The token for the alert that is currently firing.	string
activeAlerts.type	Identifies the alert type. Accepted Values: TIMER or ALARM	string
activeAlerts.scheduledTime	Timestamp for when the alert is scheduled in YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss±hhmm ISO 8601 format. Example value: "2018-11-28T09:34:32+0000"	string

SetAlert Directive

This directive instructs your client to set a timer, alarm, or reminder for a specific duration or time. Your client may receive the SetAlert directive as a result of a speech request to set an alert, or when a previously set alert is re-enabled using the Amazon Alexa app.

If loopCount is absent from the payload, the alert must sound for one hour or until it is stopped by the user (voice request or physical affordance).

Cloud provided assets take precedence over locally stored audio files. If assets are provided they must be played for the user in the order provided in the assetPlayOrder list. Otherwise, use the audio files for alerts provided by Amazon.

Important: If the assets.url[i] is unreachable, or if your client fails to download the associated files, it should play the audio files for the associated alert type provided by Amazon and adhere to the provided loopCount and loopPauseInMilliSeconds.

Sample Message

{
    "directive": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "SetAlert",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}",
            "dialogRequestId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}",
            "type": "{{STRING}}",
            "scheduledTime": "{{STRING}}",
            "assets": [
                {
                    "assetId": "{{STRING}}",
                    "url": "{{STRING}}"
                },
                {
                    "assetId": "{{STRING}}",
                    "url": "{{STRING}}"
                },
            ],
            "assetPlayOrder": [ {{LIST}} ],
            "backgroundAlertAsset": "{{STRING}}",
            "loopCount": {{LONG}},
            "loopPauseInMilliSeconds": {{LONG}}
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string
dialogRequestId	A unique ID used to correlate directives sent in response to a specific `Recognize` event.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token that uniquely identifies the alert.	string
type	Identifies the alert type. If an unrecognized value is sent to your client, it should default to an `ALARM`. Accepted values: `TIMER`, `ALARM`, `REMINDER`.	string
scheduledTime	Timestamp for when the alert is scheduled in YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss±hhmm ISO 8601 format. Example value: "2018-11-28T09:34:32+0000"	string
assets	A list that contains audio assets to be played to the user.	list
assets[i].assetId	A unique identifier for the audio asset.	string
assets[i].url	Identifies the location of the asset in the cloud. This asset may be downloaded and cached by your client. The URL provided is valid for 60 minutes after the `scheduledTime`.	string
assetPlayOrder	The sequence that audio assets must be played. The list is comprised of `assetId`s. Note: i) `assetId`s may appear multiple times in the list. When this occurs, all `assetId`s must be played. ii) If your client fails to download and cache the assets, your device should use the audio files provided by Amazon.	list
backgroundAlertAsset	If present, the `backgroundAlertAsset` value will match an `assetId` in the `assets` list. If `backgroundAlertAsset` is not included in the payload, default to the Amazon provided sound in the Alexa sound library for AVS, which is available to download in the Alexa Voice Service > Resources section of the Developer Console.	string
loopCount	The number of times each sequence of assets must be played. For example: If the value is `2`, your client must loop through `assetPlayOrder` two times. Note: If `loopCount` is absent from the payload, you must loop the `assets` for one hour, or until the alert is stopped by the user.	long
loopPauseInMilliSeconds	Duration between the beginnings of each asset loop, which includes the asset rendering time. For example: If a single alarm sound has a 200-millisecond duration and `loopPauseInMilliSeconds` is `700`, assuming `loopCount` is greater than `1`, your client must render 500 milliseconds of silence between the end of one instance of the alarm sound and the beginning of the next. If the Alerts channel is sent to the background (regardless of whether it is currently rendering the asset or silent between loops), wait the full duration of `loopPauseInMilliSeconds` before rendering the background asset. If it regains foreground focus, begin rendering the foreground asset immediately. Note: If this value is not specified, is set to `0`, or is shorter than the duration of the asset, there must not be any silence between asset loops.	long

SetAlertSucceeded Event

The SetAlertSucceeded event must be sent to AVS after receiving a SetAlert directive, when the client successfully sets the alert.

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "SetAlertSucceeded",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token provided by the `SetAlert` directive.	string

SetAlertFailed Event

The SetAlertFailed event must be sent to AVS after receiving a SetAlert directive, when the client fails to sets an alert.

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "SetAlertFailed",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token provided by the `SetAlert` directive.	string

DeleteAlert Directive

This directive is sent from AVS instructing your client to delete an existing alert. Your client may receive the DeleteAlert directive as a result of a speech request to cancel/delete a timer, alarm, or reminder, or when a previously set alert is deleted using the Amazon Alexa app.

Sample Message

{
    "directive": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "DeleteAlert",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}",
            "dialogRequestId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string
dialogRequestId	A unique ID used to correlate directives sent in response to a specific `Recognize` event.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token that uniquely identifies the alert.	string

DeleteAlertSucceeded Event

The DeleteAlertSucceeded event must be sent to AVS after receiving a DeleteAlert directive, when the client successfully deletes or cancels an existing alert.

Note: For more information on when to send the DeleteAlertSucceeded event, please see Alerts Overview.

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "DeleteAlertSucceeded",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token provided by the `DeleteAlert` directive.	string

DeleteAlertFailed Event

The DeleteAlertFailed event must be sent to AVS after receiving a DeleteAlert directive, when the client fails to delete or cancel an existing alert.

Note: For more information on when to send the DeleteAlertFailed event, please see Alerts Overview.

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "DeleteAlertFailed",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token provided by the `DeleteAlert` directive.	string

AlertStarted Event

The AlertStarted event must be sent to AVS when an alert is triggered at its scheduled time.

Note: For more information on when to send the AlertStarted event, please see Alerts Overview

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "AlertStarted",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token provided by the `SetAlert` directive.	string

AlertStopped Event

The AlertStopped event must be sent to AVS when an active alert is stopped. An alert is stopped when:

A DeleteAlert directive is received. After sending an AlertStopped event, your client must inform AVS if the alert was successfully deleted with either a DeleteAlertSucceeded event or DeleteAlertFailed event. This interaction is illustrated in Alerts Overview.
A physical control (hardware button or GUI) is used to stop the alert.
The loopCount is complete, or an alert without a loopCount has played for an hour and is stopped locally.

Note: For more information on when to send the StopAlert event, please see Alerts Overview.

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "AlertStopped",
            "messageId": "{STRING}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token provided by the `SetAlert` directive.	string

AlertEnteredForeground Event

The AlertEnteredForeground event must be sent from your client to AVS when an active alert enters the foreground (plays at full volume) or re-enters the foreground after a concurrent interaction on the Dialog channel finishes. For specific details on channel interaction, see Interaction Model.

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "AlertEnteredForeground",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token provided by the `SetAlert` directive.	string

AlertEnteredBackground Event

The AlertEnteredBackground event must be sent from your client to AVS when an active alert exits the foreground (attenuates or pauses) while a concurrent interaction on the Dialog channel is occurring. For specific details on channel interaction, see Interaction Model.

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "AlertEnteredBackground",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token provided in the `SetAlert` directive.	string

Warning: This is not the current version of the Alerts interface, some features may not be supported. If this isn't what you're looking for, please use the Interface Version Selector to navigate to the correct version.

The Alerts Interface exposes directives and events that are used to set, manage and cancel timers, alarms. Your client must implement the logic necessary to manage timers, alarms if internet connectivity is lost or if the on-product clock is out of sync with NTP. Please reference the Alerts Overview and the Interaction Model for additional implementation details.

State Diagram

The following diagram illustrates state changes driven by the Alerts component. Boxes represent Alerts states and connectors indicate transitions.

Alerts supports the following states:

IDLE: Prior to a previously set alert going off, the Alerts component should be in the idle state. Alerts should also return to an idle state once an alert is stopped/finished. This can occur as the result of user speech, a physical button press, or GUI affordance.

FOREGROUND ALERT: Assuming an on-client alert has already been set, Alerts should transition from the idle state to the alert foreground state when an alert starts and the AlertStarted event is sent to the Alexa Voice Service.

This is only true if the Alerts channel is in the foreground, which implies the Dialog channel is inactive. For more information on channels and channel prioritization, please see Interaction Model.

When an alert is stopped via speech, button press, or GUI affordance, the Alerts component should transition from the alert foreground state to the idle state.

If the Dialog channel becomes active while an alert is going off, your Alerts component should transition from the foreground alert state to the background alert state as long as the Dialog channel is active. When the Dialog channel becomes inactive, it should return to the foreground alert state until it is stopped/finished.

BACKGROUND ALERT: The Alerts component should only transition to the background alert state when the Dialog channel is active. For more information on channels and channel prioritization see Interaction Model.

Capabilities API

To use version 1.0 of the Alerts interface, it must be declared in your call to the Capabilities API. For additional details, see Capabilities API.

Sample Object

{
    "type": "AlexaInterface",
    "interface": "Alerts",
    "version": "1.0"
}

Alerts Context

Alexa expects a client to report the status of all locally stored alerts with each event that requires context. Alerts are organized into two lists: allAlerts and activeAlerts. allAlerts is a complete list of locally stored alerts. activeAlerts is a list of alerts currently in focus or sounding for an end user.

To learn more about reporting Context, see Context Overview.

Sample Message

{
    "header": {
        "namespace": "Alerts",
        "name": "AlertsState"
    },
    "payload": {
        "allAlerts": [
            {
                "token": "{{STRING}}",
                "type": "{{STRING}}",
                "scheduledTime": "{{STRING}}"
            }
        ],
        "activeAlerts": [
            {
                "token": "{{STRING}}",
                "type": "{{STRING}}",
                "scheduledTime": "{{STRING}}"
            }
        ]
    }
}

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
allAlerts	Key/value pairs for allAlerts	object
allAlerts.token	Alert token returned by Alexa when the alert was set.	string
allAlerts.type	Identifies the alert type. Accepted Values: TIMER, ALARM, REMINDER.	string
allAlerts.scheduledTime	Timestamp for when the alert is scheduled in YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss±hhmm ISO 8601 format. Example value: "2018-11-28T09:34:32+0000"	string
activeAlerts	Key/value pairs for activeAlerts	object
activeAlerts.token	The token for the alert that is currently firing.	string
activeAlerts.type	Identifies the alert type. Accepted Values: TIMER or ALARM	string
activeAlerts.scheduledTime	Timestamp for when the alert is scheduled in YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss±hhmm ISO 8601 format. Example value: "2018-11-28T09:34:32+0000"	string

SetAlert Directive

This directive instructs your client to set a timer or alarm for a specific duration or time. Your client may receive the SetAlert directive as a result of a speech request to set an alert, or when a previously set alert is re-enabled using the Amazon Alexa app.

Sample Message

{
    "directive": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "SetAlert",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}",
            "dialogRequestId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}",
            "type": "{{STRING}}",
            "scheduledTime": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string
dialogRequestId	A unique ID used to correlate directives sent in response to a specific `Recognize` event.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token that uniquely identifies the alert.	string
type	Identifies the alert type. If an unrecognized value is sent to your client, it should default to an `ALARM`. Accepted values: `TIMER`, `ALARM`.	string
scheduledTime	Timestamp for when the alert is scheduled in YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss±hhmm ISO 8601 format. Example value: "2018-11-28T09:34:32+0000"	string

SetAlertSucceeded Event

The SetAlertSucceeded event must be sent to AVS after receiving a SetAlert directive, when the client successfully sets the alert.

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "SetAlertSucceeded",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token provided by the `SetAlert` directive.	string

SetAlertFailed Event

The SetAlertFailed event must be sent to AVS after receiving a SetAlert directive, when the client fails to sets an alert.

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "SetAlertFailed",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token provided by the `SetAlert` directive.	string

DeleteAlert Directive

This directive is sent from AVS instructing your client to delete an existing alert. Your client may receive the DeleteAlert directive as a result of a speech request to cancel/delete a timer or alarm or when a previously set alert is deleted using the Amazon Alexa app.

Sample Message

{
    "directive": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "DeleteAlert",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}",
            "dialogRequestId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string
dialogRequestId	A unique ID used to correlate directives sent in response to a specific `Recognize` event.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token that uniquely identifies the alert.	string

DeleteAlertSucceeded Event

The DeleteAlertSucceeded event must be sent to AVS after receiving a DeleteAlert directive, when the client successfully deletes or cancels an existing alert.

Note: For more information on when to send the DeleteAlertSucceeded event, please see Alerts Overview.

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "DeleteAlertSucceeded",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token provided by the `DeleteAlert` directive.	string

DeleteAlertFailed Event

The DeleteAlertFailed event must be sent to AVS after receiving a DeleteAlert directive, when the client fails to delete or cancel an existing alert.

Note: For more information on when to send the DeleteAlertFailed event, please see Alerts Overview.

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "DeleteAlertFailed",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token provided by the `DeleteAlert` directive.	string

AlertStarted Event

The AlertStarted event must be sent to AVS when an alert is triggered at its scheduled time.

Note: For more information on when to send the AlertStarted event, please see Alerts Overview

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "AlertStarted",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token provided by the `SetAlert` directive.	string

AlertStopped Event

The AlertStopped event must be sent to AVS when an active alert is stopped. An alert is stopped when:

A DeleteAlert directive is received. After sending an AlertStopped event, your client must inform AVS if the alert was successfully deleted with either a DeleteAlertSucceeded event or DeleteAlertFailed event. This interaction is illustrated in Alerts Overview.
A physical control (hardware button or GUI) is used to stop the alert.
The loopCount is complete, or an alert without a loopCount has played for an hour and is stopped locally.

Note: For more information on when to send the StopAlert event, please see Alerts Overview.

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "AlertStopped",
            "messageId": "{STRING}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token provided by the `SetAlert` directive.	string

AlertEnteredForeground Event

The AlertEnteredForeground event must be sent from your client to AVS when an active alert enters the foreground (plays at full volume) or re-enters the foreground after a concurrent interaction on the Dialog channel finishes. For specific details on channel interaction, see Interaction Model.

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "AlertEnteredForeground",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token provided by the `SetAlert` directive.	string

AlertEnteredBackground Event

The AlertEnteredBackground event must be sent from your client to AVS when an active alert exits the foreground (attenuates or pauses) while a concurrent interaction on the Dialog channel is occurring. For specific details on channel interaction, see Interaction Model.

Sample Message

{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alerts",
            "name": "AlertEnteredBackground",
            "messageId": "{{STRING}}"
        },
        "payload": {
            "token": "{{STRING}}"
        }
    }
}

Header Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
messageId	A unique ID used to represent a specific message.	string

Payload Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type
token	An opaque token provided in the `SetAlert` directive.	string