Integrating Roku with Alexa

My main goal here is to have a built in remote in Home Assistant for Roku. In addition to this, also have Alexa be able to control the Roku as well. The first part I have finished. I added the Roku integration in Home Assistant as well as the custom Roku Card through HACS. Now I’m working on getting Alexa to be able to control the Roku.

I started out by making scripts for each button. I then went to Alexa and created a routine that will run one of the scripts. For example, If I say Alexa, Roku Left, it runs a routine that activates the left button script I exposed to Alexa. Then if I say Alexa, Roku Left Four Times, it will just run the script 4 times.

I’m wondering if there is a better way? I know Alexa has a Roku skill, but I try to avoid those and have most of the setup in Hass.

Hi,

Im currently maintaining the Roku integration as of late.

The remote aspect is always an interesting point. Ive been thinking alot about lately.

Is there a reason you need to navigate via voice? It seems like itd be more work? Guess determining use case is a bit part of how to interface. I think the remote platform in HA itself could be expanded upon and maybe exposed to alexa in a uniform way to benefit other media players as well.

My toddler has a habit of trying to take the remote and my phone isn’t always handy. I was trying to make scripts, etc and expose to Alexa, but its just been clunky so far. Since I also have a Harmony Hub, I’m thinking it would be easier to just use the skills there. I try to keep everything within Hass, but if the Alexa’s ever went down, the voice control would anyway. So, I’ll probably just go that route. 90% of the time, I’m using the Roku remote in Hass anyway. I then made my own remotes for the TV and Soundbar by just making a bunch of buttons.