Xkcd

Random Comic

random_comic

Read-onlyIdempotent

Fetch a randomly selected XKCD comic from the full archive (skips #404). Returns comic number, title, image URL, alt text, publication date, and transcript.

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.

Changed1 schema field changedMay 8, 2026

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"
+}

Changed1 schema field changedMay 6, 2026
- addedInput schema / examples
```
Added value: +[
+  {}
+]
```
First observedApr 14, 2026

TDQS

A4.4/5.0

Behavior4/5

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

Annotations already declare readOnly, openWorld, idempotent, and non-destructive traits. The description adds useful behavioral context: it randomly selects from the full archive and skips #404, which is not evident from annotations.

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

Conciseness4/5

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

The description is a single sentence that front-loads the core action. It lists return fields which are partially redundant with the output schema, but the length is still reasonable and no word is wasted.

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

Completeness5/5

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

For a simple no-parameter tool with rich annotations and an output schema, the description is sufficiently complete. It covers what the tool does, its scope, and a notable behavioral exception (skips #404).

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?

There are zero parameters, and the schema coverage is 100%, so the baseline is 4. The description adds no parameter info, which is appropriate since there are none to explain.

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 action (fetch) and resource (randomly selected XKCD comic from the full archive), with a specific scope (skips #404). This distinguishes it from likely siblings like get_comic and get_latest by emphasizing randomness.

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

Usage Guidelines4/5

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

The description implies usage for random comic retrieval and provides context (full archive, skips #404) but does not explicitly contrast with alternatives. No exclusions or when-not-to-use guidance is given, but the intent is clear.

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

All Xkcd tools Inspect

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