Alexa skill intent does not use the list of words in my slot

Question

Assuming I have an alexa skill with the following intents:

{
"intents": [
  {
      "intent": "aaa",
      "slots": []
  },
  {
      "intent": "bbb",
      "slots": [
        {
          "name": "City",
          "type": "CITIES"
        }
      ]
  },
  {
      "intent": "ccc",
      "slots": [
        {
          "name": "City",
          "type": "CITIES"
        }
      ]
  },
  {
      "intent": "ddd",
      "slots": [
        {
          "name": "City",
          "type": "CITIES"
        },
        { "name": "Name",
          "type": "USER_NAMES"}
      ]
  },
 ]
}

Assuming I use this simple Utterances:

ddd tell me if user {Name} lives in the {City}.

By doing so I assumed that in my alexa skill as long as my Intent is calling will provide in Slot Name one of Names in my custom slot and in slot City one of the Cities in my custom slot.

However, the result is that I am getting free text which I did not provide within the custom slot. the free text if you say the words sounds like what I said, but means different things.

I am not quite sure if I am doing something wrong or if this is as designed.

Tom Tom · Accepted Answer · 2017-01-24T03:18:10

Yes, this is normal and is a common source of confusion: the list of words you provide for the custom slot is taken as a guide, not a definitive set.

Since it is a source of confusion they published a blog post about it:
Why a Custom Slot is the Literal Solution

Also, note that there are built-in slot types for cities that you can use and build off of, see here:
https://developer.amazon.com/public/solutions/alexa/alexa-skills-kit/docs/built-in-intent-ref/slot-type-reference

Alexa skill intent does not use the list of words in my slot

1 Answers