Student Quick Start Guide
This guide shows common tasks students can accomplish with Canvas MCP.
Setup
- Install Canvas MCP following the README
- Make sure your
.env file has your Canvas API token
- Restart Claude Desktop
Common Tasks
Check What’s Due This Week
Just ask Claude:
What assignments do I have due this week?
Claude will:
- List all upcoming assignments across all your courses
- Show due dates and times
- Indicate which ones you’ve already submitted
Track Your Grades
Show me my current grades in all my courses
Claude will provide:
- Current grade in each course
- Assignment-by-assignment breakdown
- What’s missing or needs attention
Find Unsubmitted Work
What assignments haven't I submitted yet?
Perfect before deadlines! Shows everything you still need to complete.
Peer Review Management
What peer reviews do I need to complete?
Claude will:
- List all pending peer review assignments
- Show deadlines
- Tell you how many reviews you need to do for each
Course-Specific Questions
Show me everything due in BADM 350 this week
What's my current grade in CS 101?
Have I submitted all assignments for Biology 205?
Tips
- Be specific: Mention course names or codes when relevant
- Use natural language: Just ask like you would ask a friend
- Check regularly: Make it part of your weekly routine
- Privacy: Your data stays on your machine - Canvas MCP never sends it elsewhere
Common Workflows
Monday Morning Check-in
What's due this week across all my courses? Show me what I've completed and what's still pending.
Before Class
What assignments are due for MATH 221 this week?
End of Semester
Show me my final grades in all courses and any missing assignments
Troubleshooting
“I don’t see my courses”
- Make sure your
.env file is configured correctly
- Verify your Canvas API token is valid
- Try:
canvas-mcp-server --test
“Some assignments are missing”
- Canvas MCP shows what’s in Canvas - check with your professor if something seems off
Need help? Check the main documentation or open an issue.