When I try to come up with commands for Alexa to run programs on my ISY I keep running into the problem of words having multiple uses. For example if I try a command "device timed" where I substitute some device in my ISY system that I want to do something for an interval, Alexa will trigger off the word timed and want to start a timer. It seems like many of the words I select Alexa will misconstrue and not route it to the Smart Home command as desired. Is there perhaps a code word to indicate to Alexa that my command is ISY related or any other hints about selecting commands? I've tried making up words and that doesn't seem to work.

I found it best to keep the commands simple so that everything is

Alexa....turn on/off xxx lamp/light/lights

The verb and adverb are always spoken first. It works best.

However I just found one thing that appears to be blocked from going to ISY. "Prime" anything. The devices are always Red Lights, or Red Bedroom lights for two different rooms. Alexa knows the difference between lights and just light and lamp. Occasionally it will ask which one, and a longer distance away from the speaker always works better. When I command her, usually the Alexa Dot at the other end of the house responds.

Edited August 13, 20214 yr by larryllix

Problem solved. Thanks!