canvas-mcp
Local-first MCP server for Canvas LMS. Stdio transport, no network round-trips beyond the official Canvas API.
Status: alpha. Single-user, no warranty, API surface may still shift. File issues if it breaks.
Why
Canvas is built for instructors. As a student you get a fragmented UI, no cross-course search, and notifications that arrive late or never. This server exposes the Canvas REST API as MCP tools so you can drive the LMS from any MCP-compatible client (Claude Code, Claude Desktop, etc.).
Architecture
[client] ──stdio──> [server.py] ──https──> [Canvas API]
- Token lives in
~/.canvas.env(chmod 600) - Server runs locally, no third party in the path
- Single file, fully auditable
Tools exposed
list_courses, list_assignments, list_modules, list_announcements, get_page, get_file_info, get_grades, planner_items, upcoming_events, todo.
Setup
1. Mint a Canvas personal access token
In Canvas: Account → Settings → Approved Integrations → + New Access Token. Copy the token shown — it is not retrievable afterwards.
2. Install
From PyPI (recommended):
pip install canvas-local-mcp
Or from source:
git clone https://github.com/admin978/canvas-mcp.git && cd canvas-mcp
python3 -m venv .venv && source .venv/bin/activate
pip install -e .
Then create the env file:
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/admin978/canvas-mcp/main/.canvas.env.example -o ~/.canvas.env
chmod 600 ~/.canvas.env
# edit ~/.canvas.env: set CANVAS_BASE_URL (institution root, no /api/v1)
# and paste the token into CANVAS_TOKEN
3. Register with your MCP client
Claude Code:
claude mcp add canvas-local -- canvas-local-mcp
Claude Desktop (~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json):
{
"mcpServers": {
"canvas-local": {
"command": "canvas-local-mcp"
}
}
}
Bulk dump
canvas-local-mcp-dump downloads every file the user has access to (course materials, syllabi). Useful for offline indexing.
canvas-local-mcp-dump # all active courses
canvas-local-mcp-dump 12345 67890 # specific course IDs
Output goes to ./canvas-dump/ by default. Override with CANVAS_DUMP_DIR=/path/to/dir.
License
MIT — see LICENSE.
Built by AGENTE 404 S.L. · [email protected]
