How do I add python libraries to an AWS lambda function for Alexa

Question

I was following the tutorial to create an Alexa app using Python:

Python Alexa Tutorial

I was able to successfully follow all the steps and get the app to work. I now want to modify the python code and use external libraries such as import requests
or any other libraries that I install using pip. How would I set up my lambda function to include any pip packages that I install locally on my machine?

Answer 1

As it is described in the Amazon official documentation link here It is as simple as just creating a zip of all the folder contents after installing the required packages in your folder where you have your python lambda code.

The very first step in moving from an inline code editor to a zip file upload approach is to change your lambda function handler name under configuration settings to include the python script filename that holds the lambda handler.

Other solutions like python-lambda and lambda-uploader help with simplifying the process of uploading and the most importantly LOCAL TESTING. These will save a lot of time in development.

Hope this helps!!

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Thanks!

Answer 2

If you get lucky (it depends what packages you're trying to upload) here's a simple method: https://medium.com/@melissa_89553/how-to-import-python-packages-in-aws-lambda-pandas-scipy-numpy-bb2c98c974e9

If that doesn't work for your specific package, you might need to do what's described here: https://medium.com/@korniichuk/lambda-with-pandas-fd81aa2ff25e or a more complicated docker solution.