Skill Manifest Schema

The skill manifest is the JSON representation of your skill, and provides Alexa with all of the metadata required for your skill. The interaction model and account linking schemas, if used, are separate.

To get information about the manifest schema that your skill requires before you call a CLI or SMAPI command, use the get-resource-schema CLI command or the GET resourceSchema SMAPI action.
You can create a new skill by providing a manifest and using the create-skill-for-vendor CLI command or the POST skills SMAPI action.
You can retrieve the manifest for a skill by using the get-skill-manifest CLI command or the GET manifest SMAPI action.
You can update the manifest for a skill by using the update-skill-manifest CLI command or the PUT manifest SMAPI action.

Note: All images that you reference in your skill manifest must be in PNG format.

manifest

View the skill manifest examples to see how the final JSON format appears.

Field	Description	Type
manifestVersion	Version of the skill manifest.	String
publishingInformation	Object that contains the information to determine how the skill is presented to end users in the skill store or Alexa app.	Object
privacyAndCompliance	Object that contains the options related to user privacy, such as the URLs for your privacy policy and terms of use.	Object
permissions	Array that specifies the permissions that let you ask the user for specific personal information, such as access to the address of their device.	Array of Object
events	Object that specifies the events a skill wants to subscribe to. E.g. notify the skill whenever a customer enables or disables the skill.	Object
apis	Object that specifies required information for all interfaces that a skill supports.	Object

publishingInformation

Field	Description	Type
locales	Object that contains <locale> objects for each supported locale.	Object
distributionCountries	Array specifying distribution country/region strings in ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 format, for example US, GB or DE. This array should only contain values if `availableWorldwide` is false.	Array of String
isAvailableWorldwide	Set to `true` to indicate the skill is available worldwide, and otherwise `false`. If `false`, countries must be listed for `distributionCountries`.	boolean
distributionMode	`PUBLIC` if the skill is distributed without restriction. `PRIVATE` if the skill is available only to a private distribution list.	enum
testingInstructions	Indicates any special instructions to test the skill, such as a test account.	String
category	Indicates the filter category for the skill in the Alexa App such as NEWS or SMART_HOME. See Category enumeration.	enum
automaticDistribution	Object that enables you to expand the distribution of your skill to additional locales. For the fields of this object, see `automaticDistribution`.	Object

locales

For each supported locale, include an object with the appropriate locale String. Supported values include: ar-SA, de-DE, en-AU, en-CA, en-GB, en-IN, en-US, es-ES, es-MX, es-US, fr-CA, fr-FR, hi-IN, it-IT, ja-JP, and pt-BR.

Field	Description	Type
summary	Summary description of the skill, which is shown when viewing the list of skills in the Alexa Skills Store.	String
description	A full description explaining what the skill can do and any prerequisites to using it (such as additional hardware, software, or accounts). For a Flash Briefing skill, you must list the feeds for the skill.	String
smallIconUri	A small icon (108 by 108 pixels) for the skill, which is shown when viewing the list of skills in the Alexa Skills Store. The value can be a publicly-accessible URL or, when using the skill package format, a path relative to the skill package's skill.json file, such as `file://assets/images/en-US_smallIcon.png`.	String
largeIconUri	A large icon (512 by 512 pixels) for the skill, which is shown when viewing the list of skills in the Alexa Skills Store. The value can be a publicly-accessible URL or, when using the skill package format, a path relative to the skill package's skill.json file, such as `file://assets/images/en-US_largeIcon.png`.	String
examplePhrases	Three example phrases that illustrate how users can invoke your skill. For accuracy, these phrases must come directly from your sample utterances.	Array of Strings
keywords	Sample keyword phrases that describe the skill.	Array of Strings
updatesDescription	Description of the skill's new features and fixes in this version. Should describe changes in the revisions of the skill.	String

automaticDistribution

The automaticDistribution object enables you to expand the distribution of your skill to additional locales. For details about automated locale distribution, see Distribute Your Skill to Additional Locales of the Same Language.

Field	Description	Type
isActive	If `true`, indicates that you want to distribute your skill in all locales for all languages that your skill supports. If you later set this value to `false`, the updated setting doesn't revert any locales to which you previously distributed your skill.	Boolean
sourceLocaleForLanguages	List of items that pair a language with a source locale. Required if `isActive` is `true`. For each language that your skill supports, you must use this array to specify which locale to use as the source for the language. There can't be more than one instance of the same language in the array.	Array
language	In the `sourceLocaleForLanguages` array, `language` is a two-letter string that represents the language to which to distribute the skill. An example is `en`.	String
sourceLocale	In the `sourceLocaleForLanguages` array, `sourceLocale` is a locale from which to copy the metadata and model. An example is `en-US`. The locale must already exist in the skill.	String

privacyAndCompliance

When you create or modify a skill using a skill manifest, you must ensure that the customer meets the privacy and compliance requirements and the export compliance requirement. The requirements for the customer are the same as the customer must comply with if creating a skill on the Amazon Developer Portal, as shown on the Privacy and Compliance tab when creating a skill on the portal.

The customer must answer all of the corresponding questions to set the values for the privacyAndCompliance Object. If the customer answers Yes, set the value to true, and if the customer answers No, set the value to false. You may not provide default answers or values on behalf of the customer.

Field	Description	Type
allowsPurchases	`true` to indicate purchases can be made from this skill; otherwise, `false`.	boolean
usesPersonalInfo	`true` to indicate this skill uses customer information, otherwise `false`.	boolean
isChildDirected	`true` to indicate the skill is directed at children under 13, otherwise `false`. To create a child-directed skill, `isChildDirected` must be set to `true`, and the `publishingInformation.category` must be set to one of the following: `CHILDRENS_EDUCATION_AND_REFERENCE`, `CHILDRENS_GAMES`, `CHILDRENS_MUSIC_AND_AUDIO`, `CHILDRENS_NOVELTY_AND_HUMOR`.	boolean
isExportCompliant	`true` to indicate the skill can be exported to any country/region; otherwise, `false`.	boolean
containsAds	`true` to indicate the skill contains advertising; otherwise, `false`.	boolean
locales	Object that contains <locale> objects for each supported locale.	Object

The customer must answer the corresponding questions in order to set the values for the privacyAndCompliance object. If the customer answers Yes, set the value to true, and if the customer answers No, set the value to false. You may not provide default answers or values on behalf of the customer.

Field	Corresponding question from Amazon Developer Portal
`allowsPurchases`	Does this skill allow users to make purchases or spend real money?
`usesPersonalInfo`	Does this Alexa skill collect users' personal information? This includes anything that can identify the user such as name, email, password, phone number, birthdate, etc.
`isChildDirected`	Is this skill directed to or does it target children under the age of 13? Please indicate if this skill is directed to children under the age of 13 (for the United States, as determined under the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)). Not Sure? Please indicate if this skill is directed to children under 13. If you are distributing your skill in the United States, please refer to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the FTC's COPPA Guidance and FAQs for more information. Factors to consider in determining if a skill that is distributed in the United States is directed to children include: Subject matter of the skill Presence of child-oriented activities and incentives Type of language used in the skill Music and other audio content in the skill How the skill is described and marketed Intended audience for the skill Failure to provide accurate information may result in termination of your developer account.
`isExportCompliant`	Checkbox: I certify that this Alexa skill may be imported to and exported from the United States and all other countries and regions in which we operate our program or in which you've authorized sales to end users (without the need for us to obtain any license or clearance or take any other action) and is in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing imports and exports, including those applicable to software that makes use of encryption technology.
`containsAds`	Does this skill contain advertising?
`privacyPolicyUrl`	Privacy Policy URL (Optional) Link to the privacy policy that applies to this skill. Note: Each locale requires a separate privacy policy URL, if one is provided.
`termsOfUse`	Terms of Use URL (Optional) Link to the terms of use document for this skill. Note: Each locale requires a separate terms of use URL, if one is provided.

locales

For each supported locale, include an object with the appropriate locale string. Supported values include: ar-SA, de-DE, en-AU, en-CA, en-GB, en-IN, en-US, es-ES, es-MX, es-US, fr-CA, fr-FR, hi-IN, it-IT, ja-JP, and pt-BR.

Field	Description	Type
privacyPolicyUrl	URL to the privacy policy for the skill for the locale	String
termsOfUseUrl	URL to the terms of use for the skill. for the locale	String

permissions

An array of named permissions that the skill can use. A flash briefing skill cannot include a permissions object.

Field Description Type

name

Field	Description	Type
name	Contains an array of permissions, which can contain some or all of the following, which are read from the Alexa app settings. `alexa::alerts:reminders:skill:readwrite` – Read/write permission for reminder alerts. `alexa:devices:all:address:country_and_postal_code:read` – Read the customer's country or region and postal code. `alexa::devices:all:geolocation:read` – Read permission for location services. `alexa::devices:all:address:full:read` – Read the customer's full address. `alexa::devices:all:notifications:write` – Write to the customer's Alexa notifications. `alexa::household:lists:read` – Read the customer's Alexa lists. `alexa::household:lists:write` – Write to the customer's Alexa lists. `alexa::persistent_unit_id::read` – Read the `persistentUnitId` value. Only valid for Alexa for Hospitality and Alexa for Residential. `alexa::person_id:read` – Read the `personId` value. `alexa::profile:email:read` – Read the customer's email address. `alexa::profile:given_name:read` – Read the customer's given name or first name. `alexa::profile:mobile_number:read` – Read the customer's phone number. `alexa::profile:name:read` – Read the customer's full name.	array

Contains an array of permissions, which can contain some or all of the following, which are read from the Alexa app settings.

alexa::alerts:reminders:skill:readwrite – Read/write permission for reminder alerts.

alexa:devices:all:address:country_and_postal_code:read – Read the customer's country or region and postal code.

alexa::devices:all:geolocation:read – Read permission for location services.

alexa::devices:all:address:full:read – Read the customer's full address.

alexa::devices:all:notifications:write – Write to the customer's Alexa notifications.

alexa::household:lists:read – Read the customer's Alexa lists.

alexa::household:lists:write – Write to the customer's Alexa lists.

alexa::persistent_unit_id::read – Read the persistentUnitId value. Only valid for Alexa for Hospitality and Alexa for Residential.

alexa::person_id:read – Read the personId value.

alexa::profile:email:read – Read the customer's email address.

alexa::profile:given_name:read – Read the customer's given name or first name.

alexa::profile:mobile_number:read – Read the customer's phone number.

alexa::profile:name:read – Read the customer's full name.

array

events

Field	Description	Type
publications	Contains an array of `eventName` objects, each of which contains the name of a proactive event. See Schemas for Proactive Events.	Array of Object
subscriptions	Contains an array of `eventName` objects, each of which contains the name of a skill event. These include: `SKILL_PROACTIVE_SUBSCRIPTION_CHANGED`, `SKILL_PERMISSION_CHANGED`, and `SKILL_PERMISSION_ACCEPTED`.	Array of Object
endpoint	Contains the `uri` field. This sets the global default endpoint for events.	Object
regions	Contains an array of the supported <region> Objects.	Array of Object
sslCertificateType	SSL certificate type for the skill's HTTPS endpoint. Only valid for HTTPS endpoints, not for AWS Lambda ARN. See sslCertificateType enumeration.	enum

See Skill Events and List Events.

endpoint

Sets the global default endpoint for events.

Field	Description	Type
uri	The Amazon Resource Name (ARN) of the Lambda function, or the HTTPS URL for a custom endpoint.	String

regions

An array of <region> objects.

Field	Description	Type
<region>	Two-letter code for the geographic region such as `NA`/`EU`/`FE`	enum

Field	Description	Type
endpoint	Contains the `uri` field. A regional endpoint overrides the global default endpoint for the specified region.	Object

endpoint

Sets the region-specific override endpoint, as compared to events.endpoint, which sets the global default endpoint. If set to Default, the global default endpoint is used for the region.

Field	Description	Type
uri	The Amazon Resource Name (ARN) of the Lambda function, or the HTTPS URL for a custom endpoint.	String

apis

An array of objects. Some combinations of objects are not supported.

Field	Description	Type
<api-type>	See api enumeration	enum

alexaForBusiness

All skills that have alexaForBusiness as a property of the apis object must be English (U.S.) only. Thus, although the manifest supports multiple regions and regional overrides, these are not applicable in this case.

Field	Description	Type
endpoint	Contains the `uri` field. Sets the global default endpoint, which can be overridden on a region-by-region basis.	Object
regions	Contains an array of the supported <region> Objects.	Array of Object
interfaces	Contains an array of the supported interfaces	Array of Object

endpoint

Sets the global default endpoint for apis.alexaForBusiness.endpoint.

Field	Description	Type
uri	Amazon Resource Name (ARN) for the skill's Lambda function or HTTPS URL	String

regions

An array of <region> fields.

Field	Description	Type
<region>	Two-letter code for the geographic region such as `NA`/`EU`/`FE`.	enum

Field	Description	Type
endpoint	Contains the `uri` field.	Object

endpoint

Sets the region-specific override endpoint, as compared to apis.alexaForBusiness.endpoint, which sets the global default endpoint.

Field	Description	Type
uri	Amazon Resource Name (ARN) for the skill's Lambda function or HTTPS URL	String

interfaces

Contains an array of interface objects.

Each interface object contains the following fields.

Field	Description	Type
namespace	Must be `Alexa.Business.Reservation.Room`	enum
version	Version of the object. Currently `1.0`.	enum
requests	Array of requests.	enum

requests

Contains an array of name objects.

Field	Description	Type
name	One of `Search`, `Create`, `Update`	enum

custom

Field	Description	Type
endpoint	Contains the `uri` and `sslCertificateType` fields. Sets the global default endpoint, which can be overridden on a region-by-region basis.	Object
regions	Contains an array of the supported <region> Objects.	Array of Object
interfaces	Contains an array of the supported interfaces	Array of Object
tasks	Contains an array of the supported skill connection tasks. See the list of tasks at Supported skill connection tasks	Array of Object

endpoint

Sets the global default endpoint for apis.custom.endpoint.

Field	Description	Type
uri	Amazon Resource Name (ARN) for the skill's custom Lambda function or HTTPS URL	String
sslCertificateType	The SSL certificate type for the skill's HTTPS endpoint. Only valid for HTTPS endpoints, not for AWS Lambda ARN. See sslCertificateType enumeration.	enum

regions

An array of <region> fields.

Field	Description	Type
<region>	Two-letter code for the geographic region such as `NA`/`EU`/`FE`.	enum

Field	Description	Type
endpoint	Contains the `uri` and `sslCertificate` fields.	Object

endpoint

Sets the region-specific override endpoint, as compared to apis.custom.endpoint, which sets the global default endpoint.

Field	Description	Type
uri	Amazon Resource Name (ARN) for the skill's custom Lambda function or HTTPS URL	String
sslCertificateType	The SSL certificate type for the skill's HTTPS endpoint. Only valid for HTTPS endpoints, not for AWS Lambda ARN. See sslCertificateType enumeration	enum

interfaces

An array of interfaces supported by the skill.

Field	Description	Type
type	See customInterface enumeration.	enum

smartHome

Field	Description	Type
endpoint	Contains the `uri` field.	Object
regions	Contains an array of the supported <region> Objects	Array of Object
protocolVersion	(Optional) Version of the Smart Home API. Default and recommended value is '3'. You may create a skill with version '2' for testing migration to version '3', but a skill submission using version '2' will not be certified.	String

endpoint

Sets the global default endpoint.

Field	Description	Type
uri	Amazon Resource Name (ARN) for the skill's smartHome Lambda function.	String

regions

An array of <region> fields.

Field	Description	Type
<region>	Two-letter code for the geographic region such as `NA`/`EU`/`FE`	enum

Field	Description	Type
endpoint	Contains the `uri` field.	Object

endpoint

Sets the region-specific override endpoint, as compared to apis.smartHome.endpoint, which sets the global default endpoint.

Field	Description	Type
uri	Amazon Resource Name (ARN) for the skill's smartHome Lambda function	String

flashBriefing

Field	Description	Type
locales	Object that contains <locale> Objects for each supported locale.	Object

locales

Field	Description	Type
<locale>	Locale String	Object

Field	Description	Type
customErrorMessage	Customized error message if the flash briefing is unavailable	String
feeds	Object containing an array of feeds	Object

feeds

Field	Description	Type
name	Name of the feed	String
isDefault	If true, the feed is included in the flash briefing by default. If false, it is not.	boolean
vuiPreamble	Preamble to flash briefing	String
updateFrequency	See UpdateFrequency enumeration	enum
genre	See ContentGenre enumeration	enum
imageUri	URI of the image used for the skill in the skill store.	String
contentType	See ContentType enumeration	enum
url	URL of the content of the feed.	String

householdList

Empty Object.

music

See Example music and radio skill manifest.

video

Field	Description	Type
countries	Object that contains <country> Objects for each supported country.	Object
locales	Object that contains <locale> Objects for each supported locale.	Object
regions	Contains an array of the supported <region> Objects.	Array of Object
protocolVersion	(Optional) Version of the Video API. The default and recommended value is `3.0`.	String

countries

For each supported country, include an Object with the appropriate country string. Supported values include: AU, BR, CA, DE, ES, FR, GB, IN, IT, JP, MX, and US.

Field	Description	Type
<country>	Country String	Object

Field	Description	Type
catalogInformation	Contains an array of the supported Catalog Types and their values.	Array of Object

catalogInformation

Field	Description	Type
type	Type of Catalog such as "INGESTED_CONTENT_IDENTIFIER" for integrated catalogs or "LIVE_TV_MSO" for MSO ID.	enum
sourceId	Value of the catalog identifier.	String

locales

For each supported locale, include an Object with the appropriate locale string. Supported values include: ar-SA, de-DE, en-AU, en-CA, en-GB, en-IN, en-US, es-ES, es-MX, es-US, fr-CA, fr-FR, hi-IN, it-IT, ja-JP, and pt-BR.

Field	Description	Type
<locale>	Locale String	Object

Field	Description	Type
videoProviderTargetingNames	List of names.	Array
features	List of features, applicable to video skills for multimodal devices.	Array of Object

features

This is only applicable to video skills for multimodal devices.

Field	Description	Type
version	Version number such as "1.0".	enum
players	Contains web player information.	Array of Object
name	Name of the feature such as "VIDEO_WEB_PLAYER".	enum

players

Contains web player information.

Field	Description	Type
logoImageUri	URI for the logo image.	String
type	Type of the web player such as "AVS_3P_PROVIDED".	enum
uri	URI for the web player.	String
backgroundImageUri	URI for the background image.	String

regions

An array of <region> fields.

Field	Description	Type
<region>	Two-letter code for the geographic region such as `NA`/`EU`/`FE`	enum

Field	Description	Type
endpoint	Contains the `uri` field.	Object

endpoint

Sets the region-specific endpoint.

Field	Description	Type
uri	Amazon Resource Name (ARN) for the skill's video AWS Lambda function	String

Enumerations and Values

API enumeration

This enumeration provides values for the api names.

Enum Values
alexaForBusiness
custom
flashBriefing
health
householdList
music
smartHome
video

SSLCertificateType enumeration

This enumeration provides values for the SSL certificate type for the skill's HTTPS endpoint.

Enum Values
SelfSigned
Trusted
Wildcard

CustomInterface enumeration

This enumeration provides values for the interfaces supported by a custom skill. Note that some interfaces include additional settings as noted in the table.

Enum Values	Interface-specific settings
ALEXA_EXTENSION	Yes, see Request an extension in the skill manifest
ALEXA_PRESENTATION_APL	Yes, see Select the viewport profiles to support
ALEXA_PRESENTATION_HTML	None
AUDIO_PLAYER	None
CAN_FULFILL_INTENT_REQUEST	None
GADGET_CONTROLLER	None
GAME_ENGINE	None
RENDER_TEMPLATE	None
VIDEO_APP	None

UpdateFrequency enumeration

This enumeration provides values for the frequency of feed content updates.

Enum value	Description
DAILY	Feed content is updated daily.
HOURLY	Feed content is updated hourly.
WEEKLY	Feed content is updated weekly.

ContentType enumeration

This enumeration provides values for the different types of feeds for a Flash Briefing skill.

Enum value	Description
TEXT	Indicates the content of the feed is text to be read by Alexa.
AUDIO	Indicates the content of the feed audio content to be played by Alexa.

ContentGenre enumeration

This enumeration describes the type of content provided by the Flash Briefing feed.

Enum Values
HEADLINE_NEWS
BUSINESS
POLITICS
ENTERTAINMENT
TECHNOLOGY
HUMOR
LIFESTYLE
SPORTS
SCIENCE
HEALTH_AND_FITNESS
ARTS_AND_CULTURE
PRODUCTIVITY_AND_UTILITIES
OTHER

Category enumeration

This enumeration provides category values. The category determines how your skill is filtered for display in the Alexa app.

Enum Values
ALARMS_AND_CLOCKS
ASTROLOGY
BUSINESS_AND_FINANCE
CALCULATORS
CALENDARS_AND_REMINDERS
CHILDRENS_EDUCATION_AND_REFERENCE
CHILDRENS_GAMES
CHILDRENS_MUSIC_AND_AUDIO
CHILDRENS_NOVELTY_AND_HUMOR
COMMUNICATION
CONNECTED_CAR
COOKING_AND_RECIPE
CURRENCY_GUIDES_AND_CONVERTERS
DATING
DELIVERY_AND_TAKEOUT
DEVICE_TRACKING
EDUCATION_AND_REFERENCE
EVENT_FINDERS
EXERCISE_AND_WORKOUT
FASHION_AND_STYLE
FLIGHT_FINDERS
FRIENDS_AND_FAMILY
GAME_INFO_AND_ACCESSORY
GAMES
HEALTH_AND_FITNESS
HOTEL_FINDERS
KNOWLEDGE_AND_TRIVIA
MOVIE_AND_TV_KNOWLEDGE_AND_TRIVIA
MOVIE_INFO_AND_REVIEWS
MOVIE_SHOWTIMES
MUSIC_AND_AUDIO_ACCESSORIES
MUSIC_AND_AUDIO_KNOWLEDGE_AND_TRIVIA
MUSIC_INFO_REVIEWS_AND_RECOGNITION_SERVICE
NAVIGATION_AND_TRIP_PLANNER
NEWS
NOVELTY
ORGANIZERS_AND_ASSISTANTS
PETS_AND_ANIMAL
PODCAST
PUBLIC_TRANSPORTATION
RELIGION_AND_SPIRITUALITY
RESTAURANT_BOOKING_INFO_AND_REVIEW
SCHOOLS
SCORE_KEEPING
SELF_IMPROVEMENT
SHOPPING
SMART_HOME
SOCIAL_NETWORKING
SPORTS_GAMES
SPORTS_NEWS
STREAMING_SERVICE
TAXI_AND_RIDESHARING
TO_DO_LISTS_AND_NOTES
TRANSLATORS
TV_GUIDES
UNIT_CONVERTERS
WEATHER
WINE_AND_BEVERAGE
ZIP_CODE_LOOKUP