canvas-course-builder

Name: canvas-course-builder
Author: vishalsachdev

167stars54forks

How to install canvas-course-builder?

vishalsachdev/canvas-mcp/canvas-course-builder

$npx -y skills add vishalsachdev/canvas-mcp --skill canvas-course-builder

Installs into the current project.

Summary

Scaffold complete Canvas LMS course structures from specs, templates, or existing courses. Creates modules, pages, assignments, and discussions in bulk. Use when asked to "build a course", "scaffold modules", "create course structure", "set up a new course", or "copy course struc

Files · 1

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SKILL.md

1	# Canvas Course Builder
2
3	Build complete Canvas course structures from a natural language description, a JSON template, or by cloning an existing course. Creates modules with pages, assignments, discussions, and proper organization in one workflow.
4
5	## Prerequisites
6
7	- Canvas MCP server must be running and connected.
8	- Authenticated user must have instructor or designer role in the target course.
9	- Target course must already exist in Canvas (this skill populates it, does not create the course itself).
10
11	## Modes
12
13	This skill operates in three modes:
14
15	### Mode 1: Build from Spec (default)
16	The user describes the course structure in natural language or provides a structured spec.
17
18	### Mode 2: Build from Template
19	Load a saved JSON template to scaffold a course.
20
21	### Mode 3: Clone from Existing Course
22	Read the structure of Course A and replicate it into Course B.
23
24	## Steps
25
26	### 1. Determine Mode and Gather Input
27
28	Ask the user how they want to build:
29
30	> How would you like to build the course structure?
31	> 1. Describe it -- Tell me the structure (e.g., "15 weeks, each with an overview page, assignment, and discussion")
32	> 2. From template -- Load a saved template file
33	> 3. Clone another course -- Copy structure from an existing course
34
35	For Mode 1 (Spec): Ask for:
36	- Target course (code or ID)
37	- Number of modules/weeks/units
38	- Module naming pattern (e.g., "Week N: [Topic]")
39	- Standard items per module (overview page, assignment, discussion, etc.)
40	- Any module-specific variations (midterm week, final project, etc.)
41
42	For Mode 2 (Template): Ask for the template file path. Parse the JSON template.
43
44	For Mode 3 (Clone): Ask for:
45	- Source course (code or ID)
46	- Target course (code or ID)
47	- Call `get_course_structure(source_course)` to read the full structure
48
49	### 2. Generate Structure Preview
50
51	Build a preview of what will be created and present it to the user:
52
53	```
54	## Course Build Plan: [Course Name]
55
56	### Structure: 15 modules x 4 items each = 60 items total
57
58	\| Module \| Page \| Assignment \| Discussion \| SubHeader \|
59	\|--------\|------\|------------\|------------\|-----------\|
60	\| Week 1: Introduction \| Overview \| HW 1 (10 pts) \| Week 1 Forum \| Materials \|
61	\| Week 2: Fundamentals \| Overview \| HW 2 (10 pts) \| Week 2 Forum \| Materials \|
62	\| ... \| ... \| ... \| ... \| ... \|
63	\| Week 14: Review \| Overview \| -- \| Review Forum \| Materials \|
64	\| Week 15: Final \| Overview \| Final Project (100 pts) \| -- \| Materials \|
65
66	### Items to create:
67	- 15 modules
68	- 15 overview pages
69	- 14 assignments
70	- 14 discussion topics
71	- 15 subheaders
72	- Total: 73 Canvas objects
73
74	Shall I proceed?
75	```
76
77	### 3. User Approves or Modifies
78
79	Wait for explicit approval. The user may:
80	- Approve as-is
81	- Request modifications (add/remove items, change naming, adjust points)
82	- Cancel
83
84	Do NOT proceed without approval.
85
86	### 4. Execute Creation
87
88	Create items in dependency order:
89
90	1. Modules first: Call `create_module` for each module (unpublished by default for safety)
91	2. Pages: Call `create_page` for each overview page
92	3. Assignments: Call `create_assignment` for each assignment (unpublished)
93	4. Discussions: Call `create_discussion_topic` for each forum
94	5. Module items: Call `add_module_item` to link each created item to its module
95
96	Track progress and report as you go:
97	```
98	Creating modules... 15/15 done
99	Creating pages... 15/15 done
100	Creating assignments... 14/14 done
101	Creating discussions... 14/14 done
102	Linking items to modules... 58/58 done
103	```
104
105	If any creation fails, log the error and continue with remaining items.
106
107	### 5. Report Results
108
109	```
110	## Build Complete: [Course Name]
111
112	### Created:
113	- 15 modules
114	- 15 overview pages
115	- 14 assignments
116	- 14 discussion topics
117	- 58 module items linked
118
119	### Failed (0):
120	None
121
122	### Next Steps:
123	- All items created unpublished -- publish when ready
124	- Add content to overview pages
125	- Set due dates on assignments
126	- Run `/canvas-course-qc` to verify structure
127	```
128
129	### 6. Save as Template (Optional)
130
131	After building, offer to save the structure as a reusable template:
132
133	> Would you like to save this structure as a template for future courses?
134
135	If yes, call `get_course_structure(target_course)` and save the output as a JSON file.
136
137	## MCP Tools Used
138
139	\| Tool \| Purpose \|
140	\|------\|---------\|
141	\| `list_courses` \| Find available courses \|
142	\| `get_course_structure` \| Read source course for cloning; verify after build \|
143	\| `create_module` \| Create each module \|
144	\| `create_page` \| Create overview/content pages \|
145	\| `create_assignment` \| Create assignments \|
146	\| `create_discussion_topic` \| Create discussion forums \|
147	\| `add_module_item` \| Link items to modules \|
148	\| `update_module` \| Publish modules when ready

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Type

canvas-course-builder

167stars54forks

View on GitHub

How to install canvas-course-builder?

vishalsachdev/canvas-mcp/canvas-course-builder

$npx -y skills add vishalsachdev/canvas-mcp --skill canvas-course-builder

Installs into the current project.

Summary

Files · 1

View on GitHub

SKILL.md

1	# Canvas Course Builder
2
3	Build complete Canvas course structures from a natural language description, a JSON template, or by cloning an existing course. Creates modules with pages, assignments, discussions, and proper organization in one workflow.
4
5	## Prerequisites
6
7	- Canvas MCP server must be running and connected.
8	- Authenticated user must have instructor or designer role in the target course.
9	- Target course must already exist in Canvas (this skill populates it, does not create the course itself).
10
11	## Modes
12
13	This skill operates in three modes:
14
15	### Mode 1: Build from Spec (default)
16	The user describes the course structure in natural language or provides a structured spec.
17
18	### Mode 2: Build from Template
19	Load a saved JSON template to scaffold a course.
20
21	### Mode 3: Clone from Existing Course
22	Read the structure of Course A and replicate it into Course B.
23
24	## Steps
25
26	### 1. Determine Mode and Gather Input
27
28	Ask the user how they want to build:
29
30	> How would you like to build the course structure?
31	> 1. Describe it -- Tell me the structure (e.g., "15 weeks, each with an overview page, assignment, and discussion")
32	> 2. From template -- Load a saved template file
33	> 3. Clone another course -- Copy structure from an existing course
34
35	For Mode 1 (Spec): Ask for:
36	- Target course (code or ID)
37	- Number of modules/weeks/units
38	- Module naming pattern (e.g., "Week N: [Topic]")
39	- Standard items per module (overview page, assignment, discussion, etc.)
40	- Any module-specific variations (midterm week, final project, etc.)
41
42	For Mode 2 (Template): Ask for the template file path. Parse the JSON template.
43
44	For Mode 3 (Clone): Ask for:
45	- Source course (code or ID)
46	- Target course (code or ID)
47	- Call `get_course_structure(source_course)` to read the full structure
48
49	### 2. Generate Structure Preview
50
51	Build a preview of what will be created and present it to the user:
52
53	```
54	## Course Build Plan: [Course Name]
55
56	### Structure: 15 modules x 4 items each = 60 items total
57
58	\| Module \| Page \| Assignment \| Discussion \| SubHeader \|
59	\|--------\|------\|------------\|------------\|-----------\|
60	\| Week 1: Introduction \| Overview \| HW 1 (10 pts) \| Week 1 Forum \| Materials \|
61	\| Week 2: Fundamentals \| Overview \| HW 2 (10 pts) \| Week 2 Forum \| Materials \|
62	\| ... \| ... \| ... \| ... \| ... \|
63	\| Week 14: Review \| Overview \| -- \| Review Forum \| Materials \|
64	\| Week 15: Final \| Overview \| Final Project (100 pts) \| -- \| Materials \|
65
66	### Items to create:
67	- 15 modules
68	- 15 overview pages
69	- 14 assignments
70	- 14 discussion topics
71	- 15 subheaders
72	- Total: 73 Canvas objects
73
74	Shall I proceed?
75	```
76
77	### 3. User Approves or Modifies
78
79	Wait for explicit approval. The user may:
80	- Approve as-is
81	- Request modifications (add/remove items, change naming, adjust points)
82	- Cancel
83
84	Do NOT proceed without approval.
85
86	### 4. Execute Creation
87
88	Create items in dependency order:
89
90	1. Modules first: Call `create_module` for each module (unpublished by default for safety)
91	2. Pages: Call `create_page` for each overview page
92	3. Assignments: Call `create_assignment` for each assignment (unpublished)
93	4. Discussions: Call `create_discussion_topic` for each forum
94	5. Module items: Call `add_module_item` to link each created item to its module
95
96	Track progress and report as you go:
97	```
98	Creating modules... 15/15 done
99	Creating pages... 15/15 done
100	Creating assignments... 14/14 done
101	Creating discussions... 14/14 done
102	Linking items to modules... 58/58 done
103	```
104
105	If any creation fails, log the error and continue with remaining items.
106
107	### 5. Report Results
108
109	```
110	## Build Complete: [Course Name]
111
112	### Created:
113	- 15 modules
114	- 15 overview pages
115	- 14 assignments
116	- 14 discussion topics
117	- 58 module items linked
118
119	### Failed (0):
120	None
121
122	### Next Steps:
123	- All items created unpublished -- publish when ready
124	- Add content to overview pages
125	- Set due dates on assignments
126	- Run `/canvas-course-qc` to verify structure
127	```
128
129	### 6. Save as Template (Optional)
130
131	After building, offer to save the structure as a reusable template:
132
133	> Would you like to save this structure as a template for future courses?
134
135	If yes, call `get_course_structure(target_course)` and save the output as a JSON file.
136
137	## MCP Tools Used
138
139	\| Tool \| Purpose \|
140	\|------\|---------\|
141	\| `list_courses` \| Find available courses \|
142	\| `get_course_structure` \| Read source course for cloning; verify after build \|
143	\| `create_module` \| Create each module \|
144	\| `create_page` \| Create overview/content pages \|
145	\| `create_assignment` \| Create assignments \|
146	\| `create_discussion_topic` \| Create discussion forums \|
147	\| `add_module_item` \| Link items to modules \|
148	\| `update_module` \| Publish modules when ready

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Type