Shut down your PC with Alexa (no IFTTT, no TriggerCMD)

Q: Can I choose between shutdown, restart, and sleep?

Yes. For each PC you can configure the action tied to the turn off command separately from the webapp: shutdown, restart, sleep, or hibernate. Desktop and laptop can use different actions.

Q: Does it work if the PC is locked or has open files?

The default action is a clean shutdown, which prompts apps with unsaved files. If you prefer a forced shutdown, you can switch the action to forced-shutdown from the webapp.

Q: Difference vs IFTTT and TriggerCMD for shutting down the PC?

SayBoot uses its own Microsoft Store-signed Windows agent, so there's no need to install third-party tools or configure webhooks. Shutdown runs through the same Alexa skill as wake, with no paid IFTTT applet.

One of the things users expect from their voice assistant — and that classic Wake-on-LAN skills don't offer — is being able to shut the PC down by voice just like turning it on. Historically, to get shutdown, people relied on IFTTT (paid for some years now) or TriggerCMD (scripted, somewhat clunky). With SayBoot one skill is enough.

Why shutdown isn't included in classic WoL skills

Wake-on-LAN is a protocol that powers the PC on when it's off. It has nothing to say when the PC is on: it can't tell it to turn off. For voice shutdown you need a software component that runs inside the PC, reachable from the cloud, that on receipt of the command runs shutdown / restart / sleep / hibernate.

Historic Alexa skills like "Wake on Lan (WoL)" only cover the magic-packet side. Anyone wanting to shut down had to add an external chain: IFTTT for the voice trigger, a webhook, a local mini-server, or a tool like TriggerCMD on the PC. Three pieces of software, three accounts, three places where something can break.

SayBoot also covers the "inside the PC" side thanks to its Windows agent (the one you download from the Microsoft Store during setup). One package, one Alexa skill, zero third-party integrations.

What you can say to Alexa

After installing SayBoot you have these voice commands available immediately (replacing PC-Office with your PC name):

"Alexa, turn off PC-Office" -> runs the configured action (shutdown by default)
"Alexa, restart PC-Office" -> restart
"Alexa, suspend PC-Office" -> sleep (recommended for laptops)
"Alexa, hibernate PC-Office" -> hibernate

Each PC registered to your account has its own configurable default action via the webapp. The classic use case: the desktop does a full shutdown (real off, zero consumption), the laptop does sleep (resumes in 1-2 seconds next time).

How to configure the off action

The default value is sensible for most cases (shutdown), but if you want to customize it:

Step 1: Open the webapp

Go to sayboot.com/app, click "Sign in with Amazon" if you aren't already logged in. From the dashboard home enter the Devices section (or /app/devices).

Step 2: Pick the action for each PC

Click on the PC you want to configure. Find the "Off action" entry. Available values are:

shutdown — clean standard shutdown (default for desktops)
restart — immediate restart
sleep — suspend to RAM (recommended for laptops, resumes in 1-2 sec)
hibernate — hibernate to disk (useful for laptops on low battery)
forced-shutdown — forced shutdown without prompting apps for confirmation

Save. The change is instant.

Step 3: Try it

Say "Alexa, turn off \". Echo replies "Ok" and the action fires within 1-2 seconds.

Groups: shut down multiple PCs with one command

SayBoot honors the native Alexa Groups structure. You can create a group called for example "Evening computers" containing desktop + laptop + mini-PC, with different off actions for each device.

From the Alexa dashboard: Devices -> Groups -> + -> pick the SayBoot PCs you want to include. Then "Alexa, turn off evening computers" runs shutdown on the desktop, sleep on the laptop, shutdown on the mini-PC — all with a single voice command.

Groups are free (part of Alexa) and need no extra configuration inside SayBoot.

How long between command and shutdown?

Typically 1-3 seconds from voice command to start of action. The pipeline is:

Echo understands the command (handled by Alexa cloud, <500ms)
Alexa forwards to the SayBoot skill (~200ms)
SayBoot contacts the PC agent (~100ms)
The agent runs the action via native Windows API (immediate)

Within 1 to 3 seconds of "Alexa, turn off PC-Office" you actually see the PC turning off. If it doesn't, it's worth reading Wake-on-LAN not working with Alexa: 2026 fixes — many shutdown problems are the same as wake problems.

Frequently asked questions

Can I choose between shutdown, restart, and sleep?

Yes. For each PC you can configure the action tied to the "turn off" command separately from the webapp: shutdown, restart, sleep, or hibernate. Desktop and laptop can use different actions.

Does it work if the PC is locked or has open files?

The default action is a clean shutdown, which prompts apps with unsaved files. If you prefer a forced shutdown, you can switch the action to forced-shutdown from the webapp.

Difference vs IFTTT and TriggerCMD for shutting down the PC?

SayBoot uses its own Microsoft Store-signed Windows agent, so there's no need to install third-party tools or configure webhooks. Shutdown runs through the same Alexa skill as wake, with no paid IFTTT applet.

Can I shut down the PC from outside my home too?

Yes. If the PC is on and has internet, the shutdown command reaches its agent through the SayBoot cloud relay — same channel used for wake. See Wake your PC remotely with Alexa (away from home) for details on the remote flow.

---

Still configuring SayBoot? Start from the complete guide to wake your PC with Alexa.

Open the webapp ->