Alexa Integration

Overview

HelmKeep can be connected to Amazon Alexa so family members can interact with their chores using voice commands on any Echo device. Kids can check their assigned chores, mark them as done, and check their balance — all hands-free.

Note: The Alexa skill uses name-based identification. One parent links their Amazon account to the household, and each family member identifies themselves by saying their name when using the skill.

Setting Up

To connect Alexa to your household:

Step 1: Go to Settings → Alexa Integration and click “Generate API Key”
Step 2: Enable the My Chores skill in the Alexa app on your phone
Step 3: Link your account by pasting the API key when prompted
Step 4: Say “Alexa, open My Chores” to start using it

Only members with the settings.manage permission (typically Owners and Managers) can generate or revoke the API key. Revoking the key immediately disconnects Alexa from the household.

Voice Commands

After opening the skill with “Alexa, open My Chores,” you can use these commands:

“I'm [name]” — Identify which family member you are. Alexa matches your name against household members.
“What are my chores?” — Lists your assigned chores with due dates and reward amounts.
“I finished [chore name]” — Submits a chore for completion. Depending on your household's approval mode, it may be instantly completed (self-report) or submitted for parent approval.
“What's my balance?” — Reads your current balance (requires financial tracking to be enabled).

You don't need to say exact chore names — Alexa uses fuzzy matching. Saying “I finished the laundry” will match a chore titled “Fold laundry.”

Family Mode

When Family Mode is active, Alexa will still allow listing chores and checking balances, but completing chores is blocked. Alexa will let the user know they need to ask a parent to unlock Family Mode first.

Troubleshooting

“Please link your account” — The skill isn't linked yet. Open the Alexa app, find the My Chores skill, and complete the account linking process with your API key.
“I don't know anyone named...” — The spoken name didn't match any household member. Try saying your display name as it appears in HelmKeep.
“I couldn't find that chore” — The chore name didn't match any active tasks. Say “what are my chores” to hear the exact names.
API key revoked — If you regenerate the API key, you'll need to re-link the skill in the Alexa app with the new key.