| name | alfworld-heat-object-with-appliance |
| description | Uses a heating appliance (microwave, stoveburner, oven) to apply heat to a specified object. Use when the task requires warming or cooking an item (e.g., "heat some egg", "warm the mug") and a heating appliance is available. Takes the object name and appliance name as input and outputs the object in a heated state, ready for placement at the task's target location. |
Skill: Heat Object with Appliance
Purpose
Heat a specified object using a designated kitchen appliance to change its state (e.g., from cold to hot, raw to cooked) as required by a task.
Core Workflow
Follow this sequence of actions. Use the bundled validate_and_plan.py script to check for common preconditions before starting.
- Navigate & Locate: Go to the location of the target object.
- Acquire Object: Take the object from its current receptacle.
- Navigate to Appliance: Go to the specified heating appliance.
- Prepare Appliance:
- If the appliance is closed, open it.
- If the appliance contains other items, you may need to remove them (context-dependent). The default action is to close it and proceed, as some environments abstract this step.
- Execute Heating: Use the
heat {object} with {appliance} action.
- Complete Task: Navigate to the final target location (e.g., a dining table) and put the heated object there.
Key Decision Points
- Appliance State: If the appliance is occupied, assess if the task implies clearing it. The trajectory shows proceeding without removal is sometimes valid.
- Object Location: The object may not be at the initial location. Be prepared to search other receptacles (e.g., fridge, countertop, cabinet) if not found.
- Alternative Appliances: If the primary appliance (e.g., microwave) is unavailable or broken, consider alternatives like a stoveburner.
Example
Task: "Heat some egg and put it on the diningtable."
Input: object: egg 1, appliance: microwave 1, target: diningtable 1
Sequence:
go to fridge 1 → Observation: "You are at fridge 1."
open fridge 1 → Observation: "You open the fridge 1. You see egg 1, ..."
take egg 1 from fridge 1 → Observation: "You pick up the egg 1 from the fridge 1."
go to microwave 1 → Observation: "You are at microwave 1."
heat egg 1 with microwave 1 → Observation: "You heat the egg 1 using the microwave 1."
go to diningtable 1 → Observation: "You are at diningtable 1."
put egg 1 in/on diningtable 1 → Observation: "You put the egg 1 in/on the diningtable 1."
Output: The egg 1 is heated and placed on the diningtable 1. Task complete.
Bundled Resources
scripts/validate_and_plan.py: A utility to check the initial environment state against the skill's prerequisites.
references/common_heating_appliances.md: A list of typical appliances and their properties in the ALFWorld environment.