Canvas MCP Server

Community

A comprehensive MCP server for Canvas LMS with student, instructor, and account administration functionality.

How to install ↓ Compare GitHub source repository ↗

Category: Other #198 of 230
Stars: ★ 103 Popular
Transport: stdio (local process) · Streamable HTTP
Runtime: Node.js · Docker
Credentials: API key / credential required
Last commit: 4 months ago
Tools: 53

40FMRS · D

The Canvas MCP Server offers extensive Canvas LMS integration with multiple deployment options and transport modes. It covers a wide range of functionality from student to admin, and is actively maintained. However, it is an independent project without official support, so users must manage tokens carefully and be aware of security risks.

Strongest · Setup experience 10/20 Weakest · Reliability 6/20

Reliability

6/20

Security and permissions

6/20

Maintenance

10/20

Documentation

8/20

Setup experience

10/20

Why each score

Reliability 6/20: Evidence only from README claims 50+ tools and v2.2.0, but no actual source code, tests, or CI configs are provided. Cannot verify that tools exist or that init handshake works. README mentions fixes (e.g., account_id) but no test evidence. Behavior tests are claimed but not shown. Therefore, reliability is low due to lack of verifiable execution evidence.
Security and permissions 6/20: README includes a security disclosure and history, indicating awareness. But requires API token, and code may lack least privilege or confirmation for dangerous ops. README advises scoped tokens but no code evidence. There is a disclosure of a broken access control issue, but no details. No direct red flags, but without source audit, risks unknown.
Maintenance 10/20: Repo appears active with 102 stars, 4 open issues, and not archived. README shows version 2.3.0 and release history. However, no LICENSE file is present despite README claiming MIT. Dependency updates or security response channel not clear, but activity and versioning are decent.
Documentation 8/20: README is comprehensive with install, auth, tool list, examples, and troubleshooting. But lacks detailed parameter docs and limitations. Example conversations and workflows are provided, but no API rate limits or cost. Documentation is good overall, though some info may be outdated (version inconsistency).
Setup experience 10/20: README provides multiple install methods: npx, npm, Docker, plus Claude Desktop config example. Setup steps are clear, env vars specified. Docker and Kubernetes examples exist, but no verification of actual configs. Quick start is simple but requires API token. Since not executed, setup max 15, but docs give enough info.

Static review · not runListed 2026-08-07

Read the FMRS scoring method →

Fit and risk

What it can accessUses the networkChanges third-party account data

Best for

Students who want to interact with Canvas through an AI assistant
Instructors looking to automate course management and grading
Administrators needing account-level oversight and reporting

Not for

Users seeking official support from Instructure
Use cases requiring instant mobile access or offline functionality (not yet implemented)
Environments with extremely high token security requirements and where administrative privileges cannot be granted

Required permissions

Requires CANVAS_API_TOKEN with appropriate permissions: student, instructor, or admin
Account-level operations require administrative privileges
The server may read and modify courses, assignments, grades, users, and account data

Risks and side effects

API token leakage could lead to unauthorized access
Large number of tools may overload context windows, reducing efficiency
Prompt injection risk: tool outputs may contain malicious instructions; enforce least privilege
Unofficial server, not supported, may not meet institutional security policies

Setup

Before you start

Runtime：Node.js · Docker

CANVAS_API_TOKEN requiredsecret Canvas API access token, generated in Canvas under Account → Settings → Approved Integrations → + New Access Token.

CANVAS_DOMAIN required Your Canvas domain, e.g. your_school.instructure.com.

Other optional settings (9)

MCP_TRANSPORT optional Transport mode: stdio or streamable-http; stdio is the default.

MCP_HTTP_HOST optional Host for streamable-http mode, defaults to 127.0.0.1.

MCP_HTTP_PORT optional Port for streamable-http mode, defaults to 3000.

MCP_HTTP_PATH optional HTTP endpoint path, defaults to /mcp.

MCP_HTTP_STATEFUL optional Enables stateful HTTP sessions.

MCP_HTTP_JSON_RESPONSE optional Enables JSON responses over HTTP.

MCP_HTTP_ALLOWED_ORIGINS optional Allowed CORS origins list.

CANVAS_TIMEOUT optional API request timeout; increase it if you hit timeouts.

LOG_LEVEL optional Log verbosity; set to debug for debug logging.

Obtain a Canvas API token: Log into Canvas → Account → Settings → Approved Integrations → New Access Token.
For Claude Desktop: Add the provided JSON configuration to claude_desktop_config.json, setting CANVAS_API_TOKEN and CANVAS_DOMAIN.
Alternatively, install globally via npm: npm install -g canvas-mcp-server, then set environment variables and run canvas-mcp-server.
Or use Docker: run the provided docker run command with appropriate environment variables and transport mode.

claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "canvas-mcp-server": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "canvas-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "CANVAS_API_TOKEN": "your_token_here",
        "CANVAS_DOMAIN": "your_school.instructure.com"
      }
    }
  }
}

Shown for Claude Desktop. Other clients may use a different file or key (VS Code uses "servers") — the configurator below converts it.

.vscode/mcp.json

{
  "servers": {
    "canvas-mcp-server": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "canvas-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "CANVAS_API_TOKEN": "your_token_here",
        "CANVAS_DOMAIN": "your_school.instructure.com"
      }
    }
  }
}

Goes in your project's .vscode/mcp.json (VS Code uses a "servers" key).

Terminal

claude mcp add canvas-mcp-server -e CANVAS_API_TOKEN=your_token_here -e CANVAS_DOMAIN=your_school.instructure.com -- npx -y canvas-mcp-server

Run it in a terminal; replace any <…> placeholders with your own values first.

Generate and validate client config

Check that it works

Confirm that canvas_health_check and canvas_list_courses appear in the client's tool list, then run canvas_health_check to prove the Canvas API connection works.

Troubleshooting

401 Unauthorized: Check API token and permissions
404 Not Found: Verify course/assignment IDs and access rights
\"Page not found\" on course creation: Ensure using v2.2.0+ and include account_id parameter
Timeout: Increase CANVAS_TIMEOUT or check network connectivity

Things to try

Once connected, you can ask your AI assistant things like:

What assignments do I have due this week?
Help me submit my essay for English 101 Assignment 3
What's my current grade in Biology?
Create a new course called Advanced Biology in account 123

Tools 53

canvas_health_check read-only

Check API connectivity

canvas_list_courses read-only

List all your courses

canvas_get_course read-only

Get detailed course info

canvas_list_assignments read-only

List course assignments

canvas_get_assignment read-only

Get assignment details

canvas_submit_assignment writes

Submit assignment work

canvas_get_submission read-only

Check submission status

canvas_list_modules read-only

List course modules

Show 45 more tools

canvas_get_module read-only

Get module details

canvas_list_module_items read-only

List items in a module

canvas_mark_module_item_complete writes

Mark items complete

canvas_list_discussion_topics read-only

List discussion topics

canvas_get_discussion_topic read-only

Get discussion details

canvas_post_to_discussion writes

Post to discussions

canvas_list_announcements read-only

List course announcements

canvas_get_user_grades read-only

Get your grades

canvas_get_course_grades read-only

Get course-specific grades

canvas_get_dashboard read-only

Get dashboard info

canvas_get_dashboard_cards read-only

Get course cards

canvas_get_upcoming_assignments read-only

Get due dates

canvas_list_calendar_events read-only

List calendar events

canvas_list_files read-only

List course files

canvas_get_file read-only

Get file details

canvas_list_folders read-only

List course folders

canvas_list_pages read-only

List course pages

canvas_get_page read-only

Get page content

canvas_list_conversations read-only

List messages

canvas_get_conversation read-only

Get conversation details

canvas_create_conversation writes

Send messages

canvas_list_notifications read-only

List notifications

canvas_get_syllabus read-only

Get course syllabus

canvas_get_user_profile read-only

Get user profile

canvas_update_user_profile writes

Update profile

canvas_create_course writes

Create new courses

canvas_update_course writes

Update course settings

canvas_create_assignment writes

Create assignments

canvas_update_assignment writes

Update assignments

canvas_list_assignment_groups read-only

List assignment groups

canvas_submit_grade writes

Grade submissions

canvas_enroll_user writes

Enroll students

canvas_list_quizzes read-only

List course quizzes

canvas_get_quiz read-only

Get quiz details

canvas_create_quiz writes

Create quizzes

canvas_start_quiz_attempt writes

Start quiz attempts

canvas_list_rubrics read-only

List course rubrics

canvas_get_rubric read-only

Get rubric details

canvas_get_account read-only

Get account details

canvas_list_account_courses read-only

List courses in an account

canvas_list_account_users read-only

List users in an account

canvas_create_user writes

Create new users in accounts

canvas_list_sub_accounts read-only

List sub-accounts

canvas_get_account_reports read-only

List available reports

canvas_create_account_report writes

Generate account reports

Use cases

Students can check upcoming assignments, submit work, view grades, and participate in discussions.

Instructors can create courses and assignments, grade submissions, and enroll students.

Administrators can manage accounts, users, courses, and generate reports.

Supported clients

Claude Desktop

Codex

Cursor

Listed from the project's documentation, not tested by this site.

Overview

The Canvas MCP Server is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for interacting with the Canvas LMS API, offering over 50 tools covering courses, assignments, enrollments, grades, and account-level management. It supports stdio and streamable-http transports and can be deployed via npx, npm, or Docker. It is designed for students, instructors, and administrators. This server is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Instructure.

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Source revision c0646ba10ac2 Data synced 2026-10-12 Read the FMRS scoring method