- name
- canvas-course-builder
- description
- 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 structure".
Canvas Course Builder
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.
Prerequisites
- Canvas MCP server must be running and connected.
- Authenticated user must have instructor or designer role in the target course.
- Target course must already exist in Canvas (this skill populates it, does not create the course itself).
Modes
This skill operates in three modes:
Mode 1: Build from Spec (default)
The user describes the course structure in natural language or provides a structured spec.
Mode 2: Build from Template
Load a saved JSON template to scaffold a course.
Mode 3: Clone from Existing Course
Read the structure of Course A and replicate it into Course B.
Steps
1. Determine Mode and Gather Input
Ask the user how they want to build:
How would you like to build the course structure?
- Describe it -- Tell me the structure (e.g., "15 weeks, each with an overview page, assignment, and discussion")
- From template -- Load a saved template file
- Clone another course -- Copy structure from an existing course
For Mode 1 (Spec): Ask for:
- Target course (code or ID)
- Number of modules/weeks/units
- Module naming pattern (e.g., "Week N: [Topic]")
- Standard items per module (overview page, assignment, discussion, etc.)
- Any module-specific variations (midterm week, final project, etc.)
For Mode 2 (Template): Ask for the template file path. Parse the JSON template.
For Mode 3 (Clone): Ask for:
- Source course (code or ID)