Canvas MCP

Name: Canvas MCP
Author: vishalsachdev

by vishalsachdevversion 1.16.1i★ 317iRuns on your computer

Registry nameio.github.vishalsachdev/canvas-mcp

Overview

Description from the maker (original English)

Canvas LMS integration for students and educators with optional privacy controls

PopNx MCP’s three pillars

These three are never merged into one score: opinions, measurements and popularity are different things.

User voiceiNo reviews yetReviews open together with accounts in a later step
Our basic checksi3 of 3 passedChecked from public information; code not scanned yet
UsageiEarly★ 317

What you can do with it

We have not written a plain-language summary for this one yet. Below are the facts we read from the registry.

Connection: Runs on your computer
Transport: stdio
Category: Docs, sheets & office work

Install

Pick the AI app you use, then copy the settings.

You need

PyPIPython’s uv installed (for the uvx command)

Claude DesktopClaude CodeCursorVS Code

Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config, and paste this into claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "canvas": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "canvas-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Run this in your terminal

claude mcp add canvas -- uvx canvas-mcp

Paste into .cursor/mcp.json in your project, or ~/.cursor/mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "canvas": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "canvas-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Paste into .vscode/mcp.json in your project

{
  "servers": {
    "canvas": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "canvas-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

These settings are generated from the maker’s registry entry. If the README says otherwise, follow the README.

Basic checksi

We check information anyone can see; we have not read the code. Checks that do not apply are left out of the count. · Checked Nov 5, 2026

✓ Pass
Maker matches the repo
The registry name was verified with the GitHub account vishalsachdev, which owns the repo
✓ Pass
Still maintained
Code last changed today
✓ Pass
Has a licence
Uses MIT
– Not applicable
Endpoint responds
This one runs on your computer; there is no internet endpoint
– Not applicable
Sign-in with OAuth
Runs on your computer and uses local settings instead
… Not checked yet
No hidden instructions in tool descriptions
Needs the server’s tool list first; this check starts in the next step

Compared with others in Docs, sheets & office worki

More stars than 46% of the other 13 servers in this category
Published to the registry more recently than 100% of the other 13 servers in this category
Basic checks equal to or better than 100% of the other 13 servers in this category

Compared only with servers in this prototype, not the whole registry.

Common questions

Is Canvas MCP safe?

It passed 3 of 3 applicable basic checks. We have not read the code. Before adding a key or token, see what access the server asks for and use a key with only the permissions you need.

What keys or codes does it need?

The registry does not list a required key, though some servers ask you to sign in on first use.

Does it run on my computer or in the cloud?

It runs on your computer. Your AI app starts it when needed, and data does not pass through the maker’s servers (unless it calls an online service itself).

Is it still maintained?

The GitHub repo last changed today, and the latest version (1.16.1) reached the registry today.

Which apps can use it?

Apps that support MCP, such as Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor and VS Code. You also need Python (uv) on your computer.

What can I use instead?

In the same category: Agent-Native Calendar, Excel MCP Server, MCP Server for Excel

Alternatives

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Reading a card:★ GitHub starsiThree pillars: reviews · checks · usageiUpdated = latest version published to the registryi

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README from the maker

Open the README

Copied from the maker’s repo as written. PopNx MCP has not reviewed or endorsed it. HTML, images and scripts are removed. Links lead off this site.

Canvas MCP Server

MCP server for Canvas LMS with up to 128 tools and 8 agent skills. Designed for Claude Desktop, Cursor, Codex, Windsurf, and 40+ other agents; setup and capabilities vary by client.

Quick Start

1. Install the MCP server (everything else, including the skills, needs it running):

Claude Desktop: download canvas-mcp.mcpb from the latest release and double-click it. It prompts for your Canvas URL and token; no terminal needed. Details.
Cursor, Zed, Windsurf, Continue, Claude Code and other clients: pip install into a virtualenv, add your token to .env, and point your client at the canvas-mcp-server binary. Local Installation has the per-client config blocks.

2. Verify: canvas-mcp-server --test should report a successful Canvas connection. Then restart your client.

3. Optional: add the workflow skills. These teach your agent the multi-step recipes (weekly plan, morning check, bulk grading, peer review, course QC) on top of the tools:

npx skills add vishalsachdev/canvas-mcp

See Agent Skills for the list. If your agent is Claude Code, the same recipes are also available as slash commands.

For AI Agents

Canvas MCP provides up to 128 tools for interacting with Canvas LMS; the default profile registers fewer, and optional feature-gated tools can raise the total to 128. Tools are organized by user type:

Student Tools (click to expand)

Tool	Purpose	Example Prompt
`get_my_upcoming_assignments`	Due dates for next N days	"What's due this week?"
`get_my_todo_items`	Canvas TODO list	"Show my TODO list"
`get_my_submission_status`	Submitted vs missing	"Have I submitted everything?"
`get_my_course_grades`	Current grades	"What are my grades?"
`get_my_peer_reviews_todo`	Pending peer reviews	"What peer reviews do I need to do?"
`list_my_announcements`	Announcements across all active courses	"What did my professors announce this week?"
`get_my_activity_stream`	Recent activity grouped by kind	"What's new in Canvas?"
`list_my_groups`	Your groups, with course and group IDs	"Which project team am I on in BADM 350?"
`get_group_members`	Members of one of your groups (no emails)	"Who is in my project group?"
`list_group_files`	Files stored in one of your groups	"What files has my group uploaded?"
`list_quizzes`	Classic and New Quizzes in a course, with dates and your submission state (read-only)	"What quizzes do I have in CS 161?"
`get_quiz_details`	One quiz's settings plus your attempts used and remaining (read-only)	"How many attempts do I have left on Quiz 3?"
`list_calendar_events`	Calendar events and due dates across courses	"What is on my calendar next week?"
`get_calendar_event`	One calendar event in full	"Show me the details of that exam event"
`list_planner_notes`	Your own planner notes	"What notes are on my planner this week?"

Educator Tools (click to expand)

Tool	Purpose	Example Prompt
`list_assignments`	All assignments in course	"Show assignments in BADM 350"
`create_course_groups`	Preview and confirm a new group set, groups and memberships from CSV	"Create project groups from these Canvas user IDs"
`resume_course_group_creation`	Preview and confirm remaining work from a prior group run; refuse membership conflicts	"Resume the group run after resolving these conflicts"
`create_assignment`	Create new assignment	"Create an assignment due Jan 26 with online text submission"
`update_assignment`	Update existing assignment	"Change the due date for Assignment 3 to Feb 15"
`list_submissions`	Student submissions	"Who submitted Assignment 3?"
`get_student_submission`	One student’s text and visible comments; requires grading permission and preserves redaction	"Read student 123’s submission for Assignment 3"
`bulk_grade_submissions`	Grade multiple at once	"Grade these 10 students"
`get_assignment_analytics`	Performance stats	"Show analytics for Quiz 2"
`send_conversation`	Message students	"Message students who haven't submitted"
`create_announcement`	Post announcements	"Announce the exam date change"
Module Management
`create_module`	Create course module	"Create a module for Week 5"
`update_module`	Update module settings	"Rename the midterm module"
`add_module_item`	Add content to module	"Add the syllabus page to Week 1"
`delete_module`	Remove a module	"Delete the empty test module"
Page & Content
`create_page`	Create course page	"Create a page for office hours"
`edit_page_content`	Update page content	"Update the syllabus page"
`update_page_settings`	Publish/unpublish pages	"Publish all Week 3 pages"
`bulk_update_pages`	Batch page operations	"Unpublish all draft pages"
File Management
`upload_course_file`	Upload local file to Canvas	"Upload syllabus.pdf to the course"

Shared Tools (click to expand)

Tool	Purpose
`list_courses`	All enrolled courses
`get_course_details`	Course info + syllabus
`list_pages`	Course pages
`get_page_content`	Read page content
`list_modules`	List course modules
`list_module_items`	Items within a module
`list_discussion_topics`	Discussion forums
`list_discussion_entries`	Posts in a discussion
`post_discussion_entry`	Add a discussion post
`reply_to_discussion_entry`	Reply to a post

Learning Designer Tools (course design & QC)

Tool	Purpose	Example Prompt
`get_course_structure`	Full module→items tree as JSON	"Show me the structure of CS 101"
`scan_course_content_accessibility`	WCAG violation scanner (20 checks: headings, tables, links, contrast, alt text, captions, DesignPLUS)	"Audit accessibility for BADM 350"
`fetch_ufixit_report`	Institutional accessibility report	"Pull the UFIXIT report for this course"
`parse_ufixit_violations`	Extract structured violations	"Parse the UFIXIT violations"
`format_accessibility_summary`	Readable violation report	"Summarize the accessibility issues"

Skills: canvas-course-qc (pre-semester audit), canvas-accessibility-auditor (WCAG-oriented review), canvas-course-builder (scaffold courses from specs/templates).

Developer Tools (for bulk operations)

Tool	Purpose	When to Use
`search_canvas_tools`	Discover MCP tools and code API operations	Finding available tools and bulk ops
`execute_typescript`	Run TypeScript locally	30+ items, custom logic, local per-item processing

Decision tree: Simple query → MCP tools. Batch grading (10+) → bulk_grade_submissions. Complex bulk (30+) → execute_typescript.

Quick Reference

Course identifiers: Canvas ID (12345), course code (badm_350_120251_246794), or SIS ID

Cannot do: Create/delete courses, modify course settings, access other users' data

Rate limits: ~700 requests/10 min. Use max_concurrent=5 for bulk operations.

Full documentation: AGENTS.md | tools/TOOL_MANIFEST.json | tools/README.md

Overview

The Canvas MCP Server bridges the gap between AI assistants and Canvas Learning Management System, providing role-specific workflows for students, educators, learning designers, and developers. Built on the Model Context Protocol (MCP), it is designed for MCP-compatible clients; setup and supported capabilities vary by client.

Latest Release: v1.16.1

Released: November 2026 | [Full Changelog](./CHANGELOG.md) | [All Releases](https://github.com/vishalsachdev/canvas-mcp/releases)

A security and fix release on top of 1.16.0.

Patched dependencies: FastMCP 4.1.2 is locked and now required for fresh installs, and the transitive Authlib, dnspython and joserfc pins move past their published advisories (#531, #548).
HTML handling: look-alike Unicode end tags no longer close a script block early (#535), and an oversized numeric entity no longer crashes a read (#542).
Peer-review campaigns bind confirmation and delivery to the resolved numeric course (#541).
Desktop extension selects Python 3.13 through uv instead of the system default (#536).

Thanks to @lindsay-cheng and @KKazuhaK.

Previous releases

v1.16.0 — A security release fixing three privately reported issues and the last gap in the 1.13.0 prompt-injection advisory, plus course group creation and opt-in submission text. Breaking for local code execution: the sandbox needs Node.js 22.18+.

v1.15.0 — A hardening release: HTTP callers are kept apart from each other (#480, #491), HTML is parsed in one bounded pass (#515), the release pipeline verifies what it publishes, and get_student_submission is new (#487).

v1.14.0 — A student-tools and correctness release, most of it contributed by @KKazuhaK. Read-only student tools for groups, grades and what-if scenarios, quizzes, calendar and a cross-course feed, plus Inbox messaging that is off unless the operator enables it (#465 to #476). Guarded body edits with read-back confirmation (#437), group and anonymous discussion reads (#433, #439; thanks @papatistos), complete full-content reads (#458) and shared course resolution (#457). Behavior change: assign_peer_review never posts a placeholder submission (#436). The suite runs on Windows in CI ([#456](https://github.com/visha

Only the beginning is shown; read the rest in the repo

Canvas MCP

Overview

PopNx MCP’s three pillars

What you can do with it

Install

Basic checksi

Maker matches the repo

Still maintained

Has a licence

Endpoint responds

Sign-in with OAuth

No hidden instructions in tool descriptions

Compared with others in Docs, sheets & office worki

Common questions

Alternatives

Agent-Native Calendar

Excel MCP Server

MCP Server for Excel

README from the maker

Canvas MCP Server

Quick Start

For AI Agents

Quick Reference

Overview

Latest Release: v1.16.1