Xkcd

Get Latest

get_latest

Read-onlyIdempotent

Fetch the most recently published XKCD comic. Returns comic number, title, image URL, alt/hover text, publication date, transcript (if available), and permalink.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema

Name	Required	Description	Default
No arguments

Output Schema

TableJSON Schema

Name	Required	Description
`alt`	Yes	Alt text for the comic image
`img`	Yes	URL to the comic image
`url`	Yes	URL to view the comic on xkcd.com
`date`	Yes	Publication date in YYYY-MM-DD format
`link`	Yes	URL link related to the comic, or null if not present
`title`	Yes	The comic title
`number`	Yes	The comic number
`safe_title`	Yes	The comic title with special characters escaped
`transcript`	Yes	Transcript of the comic, or null if not available

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

Changed2 schema fields changedMay 24, 2026

addedInput schema / examples
```
Added value: +[
+  {}
+]
```

changedOutput schema / (root)

Previous value: -nullNew value: +{
+  "properties": {
+    "alt": {
+      "description": "Alt text for the comic image",
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "date": {
+      "description": "Publication date in YYYY-MM-DD format",
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "img": {
+      "description": "URL to the comic image",
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "link": {
+      "description": "URL link related to the comic, or null if not present",
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "number": {
+      "description": "The comic number",
+      "type": "number"
+    },
+    "safe_title": {
+      "description": "The comic title with special characters escaped",
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "title": {
+      "description": "The comic title",
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "transcript": {
+      "description": "Transcript of the comic, or null if not available",
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "url": {
+      "description": "URL to view the comic on xkcd.com",
+      "type": "string"
+    }
+  },
+  "required": [
+    "number",
+    "title",
+    "safe_title",
+    "alt",
+    "img",
+    "date",
+    "transcript",
+    "link",
+    "url"
+  ],
+  "type": "object"
+}

Changed2 schema fields changedMay 13, 2026

removedInput schema / examples

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "country": "US",
-    "limit": 10
-  },
-  {
-    "country": "IN",
-    "limit": 25
-  }
-]

changedOutput schema / (root)

Previous value: -{
-  "properties": {
-    "count": {
-      "description": "Number of stations returned",
-      "type": "number"
-    },
-    "stations": {
-      "description": "List of air quality stations with latest measurements",
-      "items": {
-        "properties": {
-          "city": {
-            "description": "City where station is located",
-            "type": "string"
-          },
-          "coordinates": {
-            "properties": {
-              "latitude": {
-                "description": "Latitude coordinate",
-                "type": "number"
-              },
-              "longitude": {
-                "description": "Longitude coordinate",
-                "type": "number"
-              }
-            },
-            "required": [
-              "latitude",
-              "longitude"
-            ],
-            "type": "object"
-          },
-          "country": {
-            "description": "Country where station is located",
-            "type": "string"
-          },
-          "location": {
-            "description": "Station location name",
-            "type": "string"
-          },
-          "measurements": {
-            "description": "Current pollutant measurements",
-            "items": {
-              "properties": {
-                "lastUpdated": {
-                  "description": "ISO timestamp of last update",
-                  "type": "string"
-                },
-                "parameter": {
-                  "description": "Pollutant parameter name",
-                  "type": "string"
-                },
-                "unit": {
-                  "description": "Unit of measurement",
-                  "type": "string"
-                },
-                "value": {
-                  "description": "Measured value",
-                  "type": "number"
-                }
-              },
-              "required": [
-                "parameter",
-                "value",
-                "unit",
-                "lastUpdated"
-              ],
-              "type": "object"
-            },
-            "type": "array"
-          }
-        },
-        "required": [
-          "location",
-          "city",
-          "country",
-          "coordinates",
-          "measurements"
-        ],
-        "type": "object"
-      },
-      "type": "array"
-    }
-  },
-  "required": [
-    "count",
-    "stations"
-  ],
-  "type": "object"
-}New value: +null

Changed8 schema fields changedMay 13, 2026

changedInput schema / examples

Previous value: -[
-  {
-    "_apiKey": "your-metals-api-key"
-  },
-  {
-    "_apiKey": "your-metals-api-key",
-    "base": "EUR",
-    "symbols": "XAU,XAG,XPT"
-  }
-]New value: +[
+  {
+    "country": "US",
+    "limit": 10
+  },
+  {
+    "country": "IN",
+    "limit": 25
+  }
+]

removedOutput schema / properties / base

Removed value: -{
-  "description": "Base currency code (e.g., USD, EUR)",
-  "type": "string"
-}

addedOutput schema / properties / count

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Number of stations returned",
+  "type": "number"
+}

removedOutput schema / properties / date

Removed value: -{
-  "description": "Date of the latest prices in YYYY-MM-DD format",
-  "type": "string"
-}

removedOutput schema / properties / rates

Removed value: -{
-  "additionalProperties": {
-    "type": "number"
-  },
-  "description": "Metal spot prices per troy ounce, keyed by symbol (e.g., XAU, XAG)",
-  "type": "object"
-}

addedOutput schema / properties / stations

Added value: +{
+  "description": "List of air quality stations with latest measurements",
+  "items": {
+    "properties": {
+      "city": {
+        "description": "City where station is located",
+        "type": "string"
+      },
+      "coordinates": {
+        "properties": {
+          "latitude": {
+            "description": "Latitude coordinate",
+            "type": "number"
+          },
+          "longitude": {
+            "description": "Longitude coordinate",
+            "type": "number"
+          }
+        },
+        "required": [
+          "latitude",
+          "longitude"
+        ],
+        "type": "object"
+      },
+      "country": {
+        "description": "Country where station is located",
+        "type": "string"
+      },
+      "location": {
+        "description": "Station location name",
+        "type": "string"
+      },
+      "measurements": {
+        "description": "Current pollutant measurements",
+        "items": {
+          "properties": {
+            "lastUpdated": {
+              "description": "ISO timestamp of last update",
+              "type": "string"
+            },
+            "parameter": {
+              "description": "Pollutant parameter name",
+              "type": "string"
+            },
+            "unit": {
+              "description": "Unit of measurement",
+              "type": "string"
+            },
+            "value": {
+              "description": "Measured value",
+              "type": "number"
+            }
+          },
+          "required": [
+            "parameter",
+            "value",
+            "unit",
+            "lastUpdated"
+          ],
+          "type": "object"
+        },
+        "type": "array"
+      }
+    },
+    "required": [
+      "location",
+      "city",
+      "country",
+      "coordinates",
+      "measurements"
+    ],
+    "type": "object"
+  },
+  "type": "array"
+}

removedOutput schema / properties / timestamp

Removed value: -{
-  "description": "Unix timestamp of when prices were captured",
-  "type": "number"
-}

changedOutput schema / required

Previous value: -[
-  "base",
-  "date",
-  "timestamp",
-  "rates"
-]New value: +[
+  "count",
+  "stations"
+]

Changed1 schema field changedMay 8, 2026

changedOutput schema / (root)

Previous value: -nullNew value: +{
+  "properties": {
+    "base": {
+      "description": "Base currency code (e.g., USD, EUR)",
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "date": {
+      "description": "Date of the latest prices in YYYY-MM-DD format",
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "rates": {
+      "additionalProperties": {
+        "type": "number"
+      },
+      "description": "Metal spot prices per troy ounce, keyed by symbol (e.g., XAU, XAG)",
+      "type": "object"
+    },
+    "timestamp": {
+      "description": "Unix timestamp of when prices were captured",
+      "type": "number"
+    }
+  },
+  "required": [
+    "base",
+    "date",
+    "timestamp",
+    "rates"
+  ],
+  "type": "object"
+}

Changed1 schema field changedMay 6, 2026

addedInput schema / examples

Added value: +[
+  {
+    "_apiKey": "your-metals-api-key"
+  },
+  {
+    "_apiKey": "your-metals-api-key",
+    "base": "EUR",
+    "symbols": "XAU,XAG,XPT"
+  }
+]

First observedApr 14, 2026

TDQS

A4.2/5.0

Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Annotations already declare read-only, non-destructive, and idempotent behavior. The description adds value by enumerating the exact return fields (comic number, title, image URL, alt/hover text, date, transcript if available, permalink) and highlights the dynamic nature of 'most recently published.'

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is two sentences, front-loaded with the primary purpose and followed by a concise list of return fields. Every word contributes value with no redundancy.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a simple, parameterless tool with strong annotations and an output schema, the description is quite complete. It covers the core functionality and return values, though it could have added a note on when to use this versus sibling comic tools, which is a minor gap.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The tool has zero parameters, so the schema provides no additional meaning. The baseline for zero parameters is 4, and the description appropriately focuses on the output, which matches this baseline.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the tool fetches the most recently published XKCD comic, using a specific verb and resource. It distinguishes itself from sibling tools like get_comic and random_comic by explicitly focusing on the latest comic.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description implies usage when the latest XKCD comic is needed, but it does not explicitly mention alternatives or contraindications. The sibling names provide context, but the description itself lacks explicit when-to-use guidance.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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Input Schema

Output Schema

Schema Changelog

TDQS

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