How can I add custom mode in Alexa smart home skill

Question

I am implementing smart home skill in which user will change mode. I found Alexa supported few inbuild modes and for user-defined mode they have CUSTOM mode mechanism. Over the documentation they mention below JSON need to set:

{
  "name": "thermostatMode",
  "value": {
    "value": "CUSTOM",
    "customName": "VENDOR_HEAT_COOL"
  }
}

Question: Where do we need to set above JSON.
I tried to add above JSON under Alexa.ThermostatController interface of device discovery response, but it is not working.

Answer 1

I would suggest you to use Thermostat Controller which only supports below modes but if you have custom modes then better to use primitive controller like "ModeController" where you can provide custom modes details in discovery response.

AUTO Indicates automatic heating or cooling based on the current temperature and the setpoint.

COOL Indicates cooling mode.

HEAT Indicates heating mode.

ECO Indicates economy mode.

OFF Indicates that heating and cooling is off, but the device might still have power.

More info about ModeController: https://developer.amazon.com/en-US/docs/alexa/device-apis/alexa-modecontroller.html