Canvas LMS MCP

@bruchris

About Canvas LMS MCP

Open-source TypeScript MCP server that connects AI agents to Canvas LMS (Instructure). Provides 42 tools across 15 Canvas domains — courses, assignments, submissions, rubrics, quizzes, discussions, modules, files, and more. Includes full grading and rubric assessment capabilities

#canvas #lms #education #edtech #instructure #grading #mcp #ai-agent #typescript #courses #assignments #quizzes #rubrics #submissions

Config

Add this server to your MCP-compatible client using the configuration below.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "canvas-lms": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@bruchris/canvas-lms-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "CANVAS_API_TOKEN": "<YOUR_TOKEN>",
        "CANVAS_BASE_URL": "https://your-institution.instructure.com"
      }
    }
  }
}

Tools

No tools detected

Fetch the live tool list by running this server in a temporary sandbox using the button above.

Overview

What is Canvas LMS MCP?

Canvas LMS MCP is a TypeScript MCP (Model Context Protocol) server for Canvas LMS. It provides 104 tools for reading and managing courses, assignments, submissions, rubrics, quizzes, gradebook history, users, groups, discussions, modules, pages, calendar, conversations, peer reviews, accounts, analytics, outcomes, and more, enabling AI agents to interact with Canvas LMS programmatically.

How to use Canvas LMS MCP?

Obtain a Canvas API token from Account → Settings → Approved Integrations → + New Access Token. Then run npx add-mcp canvas-lms-mcp for automatic client configuration, or manually set the required environment variables CANVAS_API_TOKEN and CANVAS_BASE_URL and add the MCP server to your client’s configuration. Supports stdio mode for local clients, HTTP mode for web clients, Docker deployment, and library import for custom Node.js applications.

Key features of Canvas LMS MCP

104 tools covering 22 Canvas API categories
76 read-only and 28 write tools
Three deployment modes: stdio, HTTP, library
Built-in MCP resources for syllabus and assignment descriptions
Works with Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, ChatGPT, and more
Requires Node.js >=22

Use cases of Canvas LMS MCP

List all active courses and their assignments
Grade submissions and provide feedback
Manage course content: modules, pages, discussions
View analytics, gradebook history, and student outcomes
Automate administrative workflows like account reports and peer reviews

FAQ from Canvas LMS MCP

What environment variables are required?

CANVAS_API_TOKEN (your Canvas personal access token) and CANVAS_BASE_URL (your Canvas instance URL, e.g., https://school.instructure.com) are both required.

How do I get a Canvas API token?

Log in to Canvas, go to Account > Settings, scroll to Approved Integrations, click + New Access Token, give it a name, and copy the token immediately.

What deployment modes are supported?

stdio (for local AI clients), HTTP (for web clients), Docker, and library import (using the createCanvasMCPServer factory or the standalone CanvasClient).

Are write tools safe?

All write tools require appropriate Canvas permissions. Canvas enforces its own permission model—the MCP server does not bypass it.

What Node.js version is needed?

Node.js version 22 or later is required.

Frequently asked questions

What environment variables are required?

`CANVAS_API_TOKEN` (your Canvas personal access token) and `CANVAS_BASE_URL` (your Canvas instance URL, e.g., `https://school.instructure.com`) are both required.

How do I get a Canvas API token?

Log in to Canvas, go to Account > Settings, scroll to Approved Integrations, click + New Access Token, give it a name, and copy the token immediately.

What deployment modes are supported?

stdio (for local AI clients), HTTP (for web clients), Docker, and library import (using the `createCanvasMCPServer` factory or the standalone `CanvasClient`).