How to use ssml-builder with the new Alexa SDK?

Import the Speech class, chain methods like say() and pause(), then call ssml(true) to output SSML without tags, as shown in the README example for compatibility with the new SDK's design.

ssml-builder vs manual SSML concatenation?

ssml-builder reduces XML escaping errors and provides a structured API, but for simple, static SSML, manual concatenation with template strings might be lighter and faster to implement without extra dependencies.

Does ssml-builder work with Google Assistant?

It supports standard SSML tags, but lacks Google-specific extensions like or . For Google Assistant, you may need to supplement with custom handling or use a different library.

How to handle Amazon-specific tags like whisper?

Use the AmazonSpeech object from ssml-builder/amazon_speech, which includes methods like whisper() for Amazon effects, as detailed in the README's Amazon SSML section.

Can I use ssml-builder for non-Alexa text-to-speech?

Yes, but ensure the target platform supports the SSML tags used; it's best for SSML-compliant systems, though some tags like Amazon effects won't work elsewhere without adaptation.

What SSML tags are missing in ssml-builder?

It covers Alexa's SSML thoroughly, but lacks support for newer or platform-specific tags from Google, Microsoft, or Apple, which might require manual XML insertion or forks.

ssml-builder — JavaScript SSML Builder Library

What is ssml-builder?

ssml-builder is a JavaScript library that provides a builder pattern API for generating Speech Synthesis Markup Language (SSML). It solves the problem of manually concatenating strings and escaping special characters when creating SSML for voice applications, making the process cleaner and less error-prone.

Target Audience

Developers building voice applications for platforms like Amazon Alexa, particularly those using the Alexa Skills Kit SDK for Node.js who need to generate dynamic SSML responses.

Value Proposition

Developers choose ssml-builder because it offers a simple, chainable API that eliminates the tedium and potential errors of string-based SSML construction, while ensuring compatibility with Alexa's SSML specifications and handling XML escaping automatically.

Overview

ssml-builder is a JavaScript library that simplifies the creation of Speech Synthesis Markup Language (SSML) by providing a builder pattern API. It eliminates the need for error-prone string concatenation and automatically handles special characters, making SSML generation more reliable and developer-friendly.

Key Features

Builder Pattern API — Provides a clean, chainable interface for constructing SSML programmatically.
Special Character Handling — Automatically escapes characters like '&' to ensure well-formed XML output.
Comprehensive SSML Tag Support — Supports standard SSML tags (break, emphasis, prosody, say-as, etc.) and Amazon-specific extensions (amazon:effect, w).
Alexa SDK Compatibility — Works seamlessly with both the old and new versions of the Alexa Skills Kit SDK for Node.js.
Unit-Tested Reliability — Fully tested to ensure consistent behavior and correctness.

Philosophy

ssml-builder aims to remove the headaches of manual SSML construction by offering a simple, intuitive API that abstracts away XML complexities, allowing developers to focus on content rather than formatting.

ssml-builder

What is ssml-builder?

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