New ST user question ; how to create a virtual button to run an Alexa routine?

Texmurphy4 · December 31, 2018, 3:20am

We have an Alexa routine to set echo volume to 3, then play an amazon music Playlist for 40min. Would like to find a way to trigger that routine without using voice commands. Ive seen suggestions that it’s possible in ST and have read some of the threads but still cant quite figure out how to actually implement this.

So far my ST capabilities have been limited to some zwave switches, a water sensor, and smart lock. Haven’t done much of anything crazy in the way of scripted automations. Can anyone walk me through what if need to do to create a virtual button we could trigger on our phone, to run this Alexa routine?

JDRoberts · December 31, 2018, 3:23am

See the FAQ: (this is a clickable link)

FAQ: Can I trigger an Echo Action without Speaking to It? FAQ

Breaking News!!! As of August 2018, a SmartThings-connected Contact or Motion Sensor can now trigger an Amazon echo routine if you live in the US or the UK !!! Amazon has now added the ability for some sensors to trigger an Amazon echo routine (not a smartthings routine), which does let you trigger other smart home devices which are not connected to SmartThings without having to speak an echo command! Or you can set it up so that your echo devices will speak a customized phrase. And even better, that contact sensor can be a virtual contact sensor. So you can set up the logic on the SmartThings side however you want, then use webcore to set the virtual contact sensor open or closed as you need it, and that will trigger the echo routine. Or you can use a custom DTH which is bot…

Texmurphy4 · December 31, 2018, 3:33am

Thanks. This was actually one of the threads I read through, but some of it is still a bit over my head. Is there a step by step for creating the custom dth that’s referenced? Haven’t done anything with dth’s to this point. Pretty much have just done what’s available in the ST mobile app itself (classic and new)

JDRoberts · December 31, 2018, 3:36am

Just follow the steps in the community – created wiki article linked to from the FAQ, it tells you everything you need. In particular, follow the link to the article called “if you have never used custom code before.“ It has the terminology and the general process steps that should clear up most of the confusion.