Bored API (Canonical)

openapi: 3.0.3
info:
  title: Bored API
  version: '2.0.0'
  summary: A Free and Simple API to Help You Find Something Better to Do
  description: >-
    The Bored API is a free, no-authentication public API that returns
    suggestions for things to do when you are bored. The canonical
    implementation is the open-source MEVN (MongoDB / Express / Vue / Node)
    project maintained by Drew Thoennes at github.com/drewthoennes/Bored-API.
    The historically hosted instance at https://www.boredapi.com/ has been
    intermittently or fully unreachable since 2024 (originally hosted on
    Heroku); community mirrors such as https://bored-api.appbrewery.com
    continue to serve the dataset. This specification documents both the v1
    (legacy, activities-only) and v2 (activities + facts + riddles + websites
    + suggestions) surfaces of the canonical Drew Thoennes implementation so
    the API contract is preserved for self-hosting and historical reference.
  contact:
    name: Drew Thoennes
    url: https://github.com/drewthoennes/Bored-API
  license:
    name: MIT
    url: https://github.com/drewthoennes/Bored-API/blob/master/license
  x-status: deprecated-hosted-instance
  x-status-notes: >-
    The official hosted instance at https://www.boredapi.com/ is no longer
    reliably reachable. The reference implementation remains open source and
    can be self-hosted. The App Brewery community fork
    (https://bored-api.appbrewery.com) provides an actively maintained hosted
    mirror with a slightly different path scheme.
servers:
  - url: https://www.boredapi.com
    description: Original hosted instance (historically; intermittent / dead as of 2024)
  - url: http://localhost:8080
    description: Self-hosted local instance (npm install && npm start)
tags:
  - name: Activities
    description: Random and filtered activity suggestions.
  - name: Facts
    description: Random or keyed factual snippets (v2 only).
  - name: Riddles
    description: Random or keyed riddles with difficulty filter (v2 only).
  - name: Websites
    description: Random or keyed website recommendations (v2 only).
  - name: Suggestions
    description: Community-submitted content suggestions for review (v2 only).
paths:
  /api/activity:
    get:
      tags:
        - Activities
      summary: Get a Random Activity
      description: >-
        Returns a single random activity, optionally filtered by type,
        participant count, price range, accessibility (availability), or
        a specific activity key. Identical to /api/v1/activity.
      operationId: getRandomActivity
      parameters:
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/TypeParam'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/ParticipantsParam'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/MinParticipantsParam'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/MaxParticipantsParam'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/PriceParam'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/MinPriceParam'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/MaxPriceParam'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/AccessibilityParamV1'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/MinAccessibilityParamV1'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/MaxAccessibilityParamV1'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/KeyParam'
      responses:
        '200':
          description: A random activity matching any supplied filters.
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/ActivityV1'
        '400':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/Error'
  /api/v1/activity:
    get:
      tags:
        - Activities
      summary: Get a Random Activity (V1)
      description: >-
        V1-versioned alias of /api/activity. Returns the legacy v1 activity
        shape where accessibility is a number from 0.0 to 1.0.
      operationId: getRandomActivityV1
      parameters:
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/TypeParam'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/ParticipantsParam'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/MinParticipantsParam'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/MaxParticipantsParam'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/PriceParam'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/MinPriceParam'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/MaxPriceParam'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/AccessibilityParamV1'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/MinAccessibilityParamV1'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/MaxAccessibilityParamV1'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/KeyParam'
      responses:
        '200':
          description: A random activity matching any supplied filters.
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/ActivityV1'
        '400':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/Error'
  /api/v2/activities:
    get:
      tags:
        - Activities
      summary: Get a Random Activity (V2)
      description: >-
        V2 surface. Returns a single random activity wrapped in an envelope
        object. V2 introduces enumerated accessibility (Few to no challenges,
        Minor challenges, Major challenges), a categorical price ($..$$$$$),
        and additional fields (duration, kidFriendly).
      operationId: getRandomActivityV2
      parameters:
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/TypeParam'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/ParticipantsParam'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/MinParticipantsParam'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/MaxParticipantsParam'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/PriceParamV2'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/MinPriceParamV2'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/MaxPriceParamV2'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/AvailabilityParamV2'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/MinAvailabilityParamV2'
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/MaxAvailabilityParamV2'
      responses:
        '200':
          description: A random activity wrapped in an activity envelope.
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/ActivityV2Envelope'
        '400':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/Error'
  /api/v2/activities/{key}:
    get:
      tags:
        - Activities
      summary: Get an Activity by Key (V2)
      description: Look up a single activity by its unique key.
      operationId: getActivityByKeyV2
      parameters:
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/KeyPathParam'
      responses:
        '200':
          description: The activity matching the supplied key.
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/ActivityV2Envelope'
        '400':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/Error'
  /api/v2/facts:
    get:
      tags:
        - Facts
      summary: Get a Random Fact
      description: Returns a single random fact wrapped in an envelope.
      operationId: getRandomFact
      responses:
        '200':
          description: A random fact.
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/FactEnvelope'
        '400':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/Error'
  /api/v2/facts/{key}:
    get:
      tags:
        - Facts
      summary: Get a Fact by Key
      description: Returns the fact matching the supplied key.
      operationId: getFactByKey
      parameters:
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/KeyPathParam'
      responses:
        '200':
          description: The fact matching the supplied key.
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/FactEnvelope'
        '400':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/Error'
  /api/v2/riddles:
    get:
      tags:
        - Riddles
      summary: Get a Random Riddle
      description: >-
        Returns a single random riddle, optionally filtered by difficulty
        (easy, normal, hard).
      operationId: getRandomRiddle
      parameters:
        - name: difficulty
          in: query
          description: Filter riddles by difficulty.
          required: false
          schema:
            type: string
            enum:
              - easy
              - normal
              - hard
      responses:
        '200':
          description: A random riddle.
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/RiddleEnvelope'
        '400':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/Error'
  /api/v2/riddles/{key}:
    get:
      tags:
        - Riddles
      summary: Get a Riddle by Key
      description: Returns the riddle matching the supplied key.
      operationId: getRiddleByKey
      parameters:
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/KeyPathParam'
        - name: difficulty
          in: query
          required: false
          schema:
            type: string
            enum:
              - easy
              - normal
              - hard
      responses:
        '200':
          description: The riddle matching the supplied key.
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/RiddleEnvelope'
        '400':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/Error'
  /api/v2/websites:
    get:
      tags:
        - Websites
      summary: Get a Random Website
      description: Returns a single random website recommendation.
      operationId: getRandomWebsite
      responses:
        '200':
          description: A random website.
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/WebsiteEnvelope'
        '400':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/Error'
  /api/v2/websites/{key}:
    get:
      tags:
        - Websites
      summary: Get a Website by Key
      description: Returns the website matching the supplied key.
      operationId: getWebsiteByKey
      parameters:
        - $ref: '#/components/parameters/KeyPathParam'
      responses:
        '200':
          description: The website matching the supplied key.
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/WebsiteEnvelope'
        '400':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/Error'
  /api/v2/suggestions:
    post:
      tags:
        - Suggestions
      summary: Submit a Content Suggestion
      description: >-
        Submit a community suggestion for a new activity, fact, riddle, or
        website. Exactly one of activity, fact, riddle, or website must be
        supplied. Suggestions are queued for moderator review and are not
        immediately visible in the live API.
      operationId: submitSuggestion
      requestBody:
        required: true
        content:
          application/json:
            schema:
              $ref: '#/components/schemas/SuggestionRequest'
      responses:
        '200':
          description: Suggestion accepted and queued for review.
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                $ref: '#/components/schemas/MessageResponse'
        '400':
          $ref: '#/components/responses/Error'
components:
  parameters:
    TypeParam:
      name: type
      in: query
      description: Filter activities by category type.
      required: false
      schema:
        type: string
        enum:
          - charity
          - cooking
          - music
          - diy
          - education
          - social
          - busywork
          - recreational
          - relaxation
    ParticipantsParam:
      name: participants
      in: query
      description: Filter to activities requiring an exact number of participants.
      required: false
      schema:
        type: integer
        minimum: 1
    MinParticipantsParam:
      name: minparticipants
      in: query
      description: Filter to activities requiring at least this many participants.
      required: false
      schema:
        type: integer
        minimum: 1
    MaxParticipantsParam:
      name: maxparticipants
      in: query
      description: Filter to activities requiring at most this many participants.
      required: false
      schema:
        type: integer
        minimum: 1
    PriceParam:
      name: price
      in: query
      description: V1 — exact price as a decimal between 0.0 (free) and 1.0 (expensive).
      required: false
      schema:
        type: number
        format: float
        minimum: 0
        maximum: 1
    MinPriceParam:
      name: minprice
      in: query
      description: V1 — minimum price (0.0–1.0, inclusive).
      required: false
      schema:
        type: number
        format: float
        minimum: 0
        maximum: 1
    MaxPriceParam:
      name: maxprice
      in: query
      description: V1 — maximum price (0.0–1.0, inclusive).
      required: false
      schema:
        type: number
        format: float
        minimum: 0
        maximum: 1
    PriceParamV2:
      name: price
      in: query
      description: >-
        V2 — categorical price ladder. Supplied as 1–5 `$` characters
        ("$" cheapest through "$$$$$" most expensive). Internally mapped to
        a numeric value.
      required: false
      schema:
        type: string
        pattern: '^\$+$'
        example: '$$'
    MinPriceParamV2:
      name: minprice
      in: query
      description: V2 — minimum price as 1–5 `$` characters.
      required: false
      schema:
        type: string
        pattern: '^\$+$'
    MaxPriceParamV2:
      name: maxprice
      in: query
      description: V2 — maximum price as 1–5 `$` characters.
      required: false
      schema:
        type: string
        pattern: '^\$+$'
    AccessibilityParamV1:
      name: accessibility
      in: query
      description: >-
        V1 — accessibility (also called availability) as a decimal between
        0.0 (most accessible) and 1.0 (least accessible).
      required: false
      schema:
        type: number
        format: float
        minimum: 0
        maximum: 1
    MinAccessibilityParamV1:
      name: minaccessibility
      in: query
      description: V1 — minimum accessibility (0.0–1.0).
      required: false
      schema:
        type: number
        format: float
        minimum: 0
        maximum: 1
    MaxAccessibilityParamV1:
      name: maxaccessibility
      in: query
      description: V1 — maximum accessibility (0.0–1.0).
      required: false
      schema:
        type: number
        format: float
        minimum: 0
        maximum: 1
    AvailabilityParamV2:
      name: availability
      in: query
      description: V2 — exact availability score as a decimal between 0.0 and 1.0.
      required: false
      schema:
        type: number
        format: float
        minimum: 0
        maximum: 1
    MinAvailabilityParamV2:
      name: minavailability
      in: query
      description: V2 — minimum availability (0.0–1.0).
      required: false
      schema:
        type: number
        format: float
        minimum: 0
        maximum: 1
    MaxAvailabilityParamV2:
      name: maxavailability
      in: query
      description: V2 — maximum availability (0.0–1.0).
      required: false
      schema:
        type: number
        format: float
        minimum: 0
        maximum: 1
    KeyParam:
      name: key
      in: query
      description: Look up a single activity by its unique key.
      required: false
      schema:
        type: string
    KeyPathParam:
      name: key
      in: path
      required: true
      description: Unique key identifying the resource.
      schema:
        type: string
  schemas:
    ActivityV1:
      type: object
      description: V1 activity. Returned directly (no envelope).
      properties:
        activity:
          type: string
          description: Human-readable description of the activity.
          example: Learn Express.js
        type:
          type: string
          description: Category of the activity.
          enum:
            - charity
            - cooking
            - music
            - diy
            - education
            - social
            - busywork
            - recreational
            - relaxation
          example: education
        participants:
          type: integer
          minimum: 1
          description: Number of participants the activity requires.
          example: 1
        price:
          type: number
          format: float
          minimum: 0
          maximum: 1
          description: Decimal price ladder (0.0 = free, 1.0 = expensive).
          example: 0.1
        accessibility:
          type: number
          format: float
          minimum: 0
          maximum: 1
          description: Decimal accessibility (0.0 = most accessible, 1.0 = least).
          example: 0.25
        link:
          type: string
          format: uri
          description: Optional reference URL with more information.
          example: https://expressjs.com/
        key:
          type: string
          description: Unique numeric string identifying the activity.
          example: '3943506'
      required:
        - activity
        - type
        - participants
        - price
        - key
    ActivityV2:
      type: object
      description: V2 activity. Adds duration, kidFriendly, categorical accessibility and price.
      properties:
        activity:
          type: string
          example: Learn how to play a new sport
        type:
          type: string
          enum:
            - charity
            - cooking
            - music
            - diy
            - education
            - social
            - busywork
            - recreational
            - relaxation
          example: recreational
        participants:
          type: integer
          minimum: 1
          example: 1
        price:
          type: string
          pattern: '^\$+$'
          description: Categorical price expressed as 1–5 dollar signs.
          example: '$'
        accessibility:
          type: string
          enum:
            - Few to no challenges
            - Minor challenges
            - Major challenges
          example: Few to no challenges
        duration:
          type: string
          enum:
            - minutes
            - hours
            - days
            - weeks
          example: hours
        kidFriendly:
          type: boolean
          example: true
        link:
          type: string
          format: uri
          example: ''
        key:
          type: string
          example: '5808228'
      required:
        - activity
        - type
        - participants
        - price
        - accessibility
        - duration
        - kidFriendly
        - key
    ActivityV2Envelope:
      type: object
      properties:
        activity:
          $ref: '#/components/schemas/ActivityV2'
      required:
        - activity
    Fact:
      type: object
      properties:
        fact:
          type: string
          description: The factual statement.
          example: Honey never spoils.
        source:
          type: string
          format: uri
          description: Optional URL backing the fact.
          example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey
        key:
          type: string
          description: Unique key for the fact.
          example: '1234567'
      required:
        - fact
        - key
    FactEnvelope:
      type: object
      properties:
        fact:
          $ref: '#/components/schemas/Fact'
      required:
        - fact
    Riddle:
      type: object
      properties:
        question:
          type: string
          example: What has keys but can't open locks?
        answer:
          type: string
          example: A piano.
        difficulty:
          type: string
          enum:
            - easy
            - normal
            - hard
          default: normal
          example: easy
        source:
          type: string
          format: uri
          description: Optional URL backing the riddle.
          example: ''
        key:
          type: string
          example: '7654321'
      required:
        - question
        - answer
        - difficulty
        - key
    RiddleEnvelope:
      type: object
      properties:
        riddle:
          $ref: '#/components/schemas/Riddle'
      required:
        - riddle
    Website:
      type: object
      properties:
        url:
          type: string
          format: uri
          example: https://thisissand.com/
        description:
          type: string
          example: Create digital sand art in your browser.
        key:
          type: string
          example: '9988776'
      required:
        - url
        - description
        - key
    WebsiteEnvelope:
      type: object
      properties:
        website:
          $ref: '#/components/schemas/Website'
      required:
        - website
    SuggestionRequest:
      type: object
      description: >-
        Exactly one of activity, fact, riddle, or website must be supplied.
      properties:
        activity:
          type: object
          properties:
            activity:
              type: string
            type:
              type: string
              enum:
                - education
                - recreational
                - social
                - diy
                - charity
                - cooking
                - relaxation
                - music
                - busywork
            participants:
              type: integer
              minimum: 1
          required:
            - activity
            - type
            - participants
        fact:
          type: object
          properties:
            fact:
              type: string
            source:
              type: string
              format: uri
          required:
            - fact
            - source
        riddle:
          type: object
          properties:
            question:
              type: string
            answer:
              type: string
            source:
              type: string
              format: uri
          required:
            - question
            - answer
            - source
        website:
          type: object
          properties:
            url:
              type: string
              format: uri
            description:
              type: string
          required:
            - url
            - description
      oneOf:
        - required: [activity]
        - required: [fact]
        - required: [riddle]
        - required: [website]
    MessageResponse:
      type: object
      properties:
        message:
          type: string
          example: Successfully created suggestion
      required:
        - message
    ErrorResponse:
      type: object
      properties:
        error:
          type: string
          example: Failed to query due to error in arguments
      required:
        - error
  responses:
    Error:
      description: Bad request or query argument error.
      content:
        application/json:
          schema:
            $ref: '#/components/schemas/ErrorResponse'