xkcd
Fetch xkcd comics - latest, random, by number, or search by keyword. Display comics with title, image, and alt text (the hidden joke). Generate custom xkcd-style stick figure comics using image generation. Perfect for daily comic delivery via cron, on-demand requests, or creating original xkcd-inspired content.
Best use case
xkcd is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Fetch xkcd comics - latest, random, by number, or search by keyword. Display comics with title, image, and alt text (the hidden joke). Generate custom xkcd-style stick figure comics using image generation. Perfect for daily comic delivery via cron, on-demand requests, or creating original xkcd-inspired content.
Teams using xkcd should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/xkcd/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How xkcd Compares
| Feature / Agent | xkcd | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Fetch xkcd comics - latest, random, by number, or search by keyword. Display comics with title, image, and alt text (the hidden joke). Generate custom xkcd-style stick figure comics using image generation. Perfect for daily comic delivery via cron, on-demand requests, or creating original xkcd-inspired content.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# xkcd
Fetch comics from xkcd.com or generate xkcd-style images.
## Commands
### Latest Comic
```bash
uv run {baseDir}/scripts/xkcd.py
```
### Random Comic
```bash
uv run {baseDir}/scripts/xkcd.py --random
```
### Specific Comic
```bash
uv run {baseDir}/scripts/xkcd.py 327 # Bobby Tables
uv run {baseDir}/scripts/xkcd.py 353 # Python
uv run {baseDir}/scripts/xkcd.py 1053 # Ten Thousand
```
### Search by Keyword
```bash
uv run {baseDir}/scripts/xkcd.py --search "python"
uv run {baseDir}/scripts/xkcd.py --search "space" --limit 3
```
### JSON Output
```bash
uv run {baseDir}/scripts/xkcd.py --format json
uv run {baseDir}/scripts/xkcd.py --random --format json
```
## Output Format
Default markdown output includes:
- **Title**: Comic title with number
- **Image**: Direct image URL
- **Alt text**: The hidden hover text (often the best part!)
- **Link**: Permalink to xkcd.com
## Generating Custom xkcd-Style Comics
Use an image generation skill (e.g., nano-banana-pro) with this prompt pattern:
```
Create an xkcd-style comic: [your scene description]
Style: simple black and white stick figures, hand-drawn wobbly lines,
minimal background, clean white background, comic panel layout
```
Example prompt:
```
Create an xkcd-style comic: Two programmers at computers. First says
"I spent 6 hours automating a task." Second: "How long did the task take?"
First: "5 minutes." Second: "How often do you do it?" First: "Once a year."
```
## Cron Examples
```bash
# Daily latest comic at 9 AM
cron add --schedule "0 9 * * *" --task "Fetch latest xkcd and send via Telegram"
# Random classic every Monday
cron add --schedule "0 10 * * 1" --task "Fetch random xkcd comic and share"
```
## Classic Comics
- **#327** "Exploits of a Mom" — Bobby Tables / SQL injection
- **#353** "Python" — import antigravity
- **#303** "Compiling" — sword fighting while code compiles
- **#386** "Duty Calls" — someone is wrong on the internet
- **#1053** "Ten Thousand" — lucky 10,000 learning something new
- **#979** "Wisdom of the Ancients" — unanswered forum posts
- **#927** "Standards" — how standards proliferate
## API
Uses the official [xkcd JSON API](https://xkcd.com/json.html) (no auth required).
- Latest: `https://xkcd.com/info.0.json`
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