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canvas_list_folders

Retrieve and list all folders within a specific course using the Canvas LMS API. Ideal for organizing and managing course content efficiently.

Instructions

List folders in a course

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
course_idYesID of the course

Implementation Reference

  • Executes the canvas_list_folders tool by calling CanvasClient.listFolders(course_id) and returning the JSON response.
    case "canvas_list_folders": {
      const { course_id } = args as { course_id: number };
      if (!course_id) throw new Error("Missing required field: course_id");
      
      const folders = await this.client.listFolders(course_id);
      return {
        content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(folders, null, 2) }]
      };
    }
  • Input schema definition and tool metadata for canvas_list_folders, requiring course_id.
      name: "canvas_list_folders",
      description: "List folders in a course",
      inputSchema: {
        type: "object",
        properties: {
          course_id: { type: "number", description: "ID of the course" }
        },
        required: ["course_id"]
      }
    },
  • src/index.ts:1071-1073 (registration)
    Registers all tools including canvas_list_folders by returning the TOOLS array in ListToolsRequestSchema handler.
    this.server.setRequestHandler(ListToolsRequestSchema, async () => ({
      tools: TOOLS
    }));
  • Main CallToolRequestSchema handler that dispatches to specific tool implementations via switch on tool name.
      this.server.setRequestHandler(CallToolRequestSchema, async (request) => {
        try {
          const args = request.params.arguments || {};
          const toolName = request.params.name;
          
          console.error(`[Canvas MCP] Executing tool: ${toolName}`);
          
          switch (toolName) {
            // Health check
            case "canvas_health_check": {
              const health = await this.client.healthCheck();
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(health, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            // Course management
            case "canvas_list_courses": {
              const { include_ended = false } = args as { include_ended?: boolean };
              const courses = await this.client.listCourses(include_ended);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(courses, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            case "canvas_get_course": {
              const { course_id } = args as { course_id: number };
              if (!course_id) throw new Error("Missing required field: course_id");
              
              const course = await this.client.getCourse(course_id);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(course, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
            
            case "canvas_create_course": {
              const courseArgs = args as unknown as CreateCourseArgs;
              if (!courseArgs.account_id || !courseArgs.name) {
                throw new Error("Missing required fields: account_id and name");
              }
              const course = await this.client.createCourse(courseArgs);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(course, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
            
            case "canvas_update_course": {
              const updateArgs = args as unknown as UpdateCourseArgs;
              if (!updateArgs.course_id) {
                throw new Error("Missing required field: course_id");
              }
              const updatedCourse = await this.client.updateCourse(updateArgs);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(updatedCourse, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            // Assignment management
            case "canvas_list_assignments": {
              const { course_id, include_submissions = false } = args as { 
                course_id: number; 
                include_submissions?: boolean 
              };
              if (!course_id) throw new Error("Missing required field: course_id");
              
              const assignments = await this.client.listAssignments(course_id, include_submissions);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(assignments, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            case "canvas_get_assignment": {
              const { course_id, assignment_id, include_submission = false } = args as { 
                course_id: number; 
                assignment_id: number;
                include_submission?: boolean;
              };
              if (!course_id || !assignment_id) {
                throw new Error("Missing required fields: course_id and assignment_id");
              }
              
              const assignment = await this.client.getAssignment(course_id, assignment_id, include_submission);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(assignment, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
            
            case "canvas_create_assignment": {
              const assignmentArgs = args as unknown as CreateAssignmentArgs;
              if (!assignmentArgs.course_id || !assignmentArgs.name) {
                throw new Error("Missing required fields: course_id and name");
              }
              const assignment = await this.client.createAssignment(assignmentArgs);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(assignment, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
            
            case "canvas_update_assignment": {
              const updateAssignmentArgs = args as unknown as UpdateAssignmentArgs;
              if (!updateAssignmentArgs.course_id || !updateAssignmentArgs.assignment_id) {
                throw new Error("Missing required fields: course_id and assignment_id");
              }
              const updatedAssignment = await this.client.updateAssignment(updateAssignmentArgs);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(updatedAssignment, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            case "canvas_list_assignment_groups": {
              const { course_id } = args as { course_id: number };
              if (!course_id) throw new Error("Missing required field: course_id");
              
              const groups = await this.client.listAssignmentGroups(course_id);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(groups, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            // Submissions
            case "canvas_get_submission": {
              const { course_id, assignment_id, user_id } = args as { 
                course_id: number; 
                assignment_id: number;
                user_id?: number;
              };
              if (!course_id || !assignment_id) {
                throw new Error("Missing required fields: course_id and assignment_id");
              }
              
              const submission = await this.client.getSubmission(course_id, assignment_id, user_id || 'self');
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(submission, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            case "canvas_submit_assignment": {
              const submitArgs = args as unknown as SubmitAssignmentArgs;
              const { course_id, assignment_id, submission_type } = submitArgs;
    
              if (!course_id || !assignment_id || !submission_type) {
                throw new Error("Missing required fields: course_id, assignment_id, and submission_type");
              }
    
              const submission = await this.client.submitAssignment(submitArgs);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(submission, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
            
            case "canvas_submit_grade": {
              const gradeArgs = args as unknown as SubmitGradeArgs;
              if (!gradeArgs.course_id || !gradeArgs.assignment_id || 
                  !gradeArgs.user_id || gradeArgs.grade === undefined) {
                throw new Error("Missing required fields for grade submission");
              }
              const submission = await this.client.submitGrade(gradeArgs);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(submission, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            // Files
            case "canvas_list_files": {
              const { course_id, folder_id } = args as { course_id: number; folder_id?: number };
              if (!course_id) throw new Error("Missing required field: course_id");
              
              const files = await this.client.listFiles(course_id, folder_id);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(files, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            case "canvas_get_file": {
              const { file_id } = args as { file_id: number };
              if (!file_id) throw new Error("Missing required field: file_id");
              
              const file = await this.client.getFile(file_id);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(file, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            case "canvas_list_folders": {
              const { course_id } = args as { course_id: number };
              if (!course_id) throw new Error("Missing required field: course_id");
              
              const folders = await this.client.listFolders(course_id);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(folders, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            // Pages
            case "canvas_list_pages": {
              const { course_id } = args as { course_id: number };
              if (!course_id) throw new Error("Missing required field: course_id");
              
              const pages = await this.client.listPages(course_id);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(pages, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            case "canvas_get_page": {
              const { course_id, page_url } = args as { course_id: number; page_url: string };
              if (!course_id || !page_url) {
                throw new Error("Missing required fields: course_id and page_url");
              }
              
              const page = await this.client.getPage(course_id, page_url);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(page, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            // Calendar
            case "canvas_list_calendar_events": {
              const { start_date, end_date } = args as { start_date?: string; end_date?: string };
              const events = await this.client.listCalendarEvents(start_date, end_date);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(events, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            case "canvas_get_upcoming_assignments": {
              const { limit = 10 } = args as { limit?: number };
              const assignments = await this.client.getUpcomingAssignments(limit);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(assignments, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            // Dashboard
            case "canvas_get_dashboard": {
              const dashboard = await this.client.getDashboard();
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(dashboard, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            case "canvas_get_dashboard_cards": {
              const cards = await this.client.getDashboardCards();
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(cards, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            // User management
            case "canvas_get_user_profile": {
              const profile = await this.client.getUserProfile();
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(profile, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            case "canvas_update_user_profile": {
              const profileData = args as Partial<{ name: string; short_name: string; bio: string; title: string; time_zone: string }>;
              const updatedProfile = await this.client.updateUserProfile(profileData);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(updatedProfile, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            case "canvas_enroll_user": {
              const enrollArgs = args as unknown as EnrollUserArgs;
              if (!enrollArgs.course_id || !enrollArgs.user_id) {
                throw new Error("Missing required fields: course_id and user_id");
              }
              const enrollment = await this.client.enrollUser(enrollArgs);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(enrollment, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            // Grades
            case "canvas_get_course_grades": {
              const { course_id } = args as { course_id: number };
              if (!course_id) throw new Error("Missing required field: course_id");
              
              const grades = await this.client.getCourseGrades(course_id);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(grades, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            case "canvas_get_user_grades": {
              const grades = await this.client.getUserGrades();
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(grades, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            // Continue with all other tools...
            // [I'll include the rest in the same pattern]
            
            // Account Management
            case "canvas_get_account": {
              const { account_id } = args as { account_id: number };
              if (!account_id) throw new Error("Missing required field: account_id");
              
              const account = await this.client.getAccount(account_id);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(account, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            case "canvas_list_account_courses": {
              const accountCoursesArgs = args as unknown as ListAccountCoursesArgs;
              if (!accountCoursesArgs.account_id) {
                throw new Error("Missing required field: account_id");
              }
              
              const courses = await this.client.listAccountCourses(accountCoursesArgs);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(courses, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            case "canvas_list_account_users": {
              const accountUsersArgs = args as unknown as ListAccountUsersArgs;
              if (!accountUsersArgs.account_id) {
                throw new Error("Missing required field: account_id");
              }
              
              const users = await this.client.listAccountUsers(accountUsersArgs);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(users, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            case "canvas_create_user": {
              const createUserArgs = args as unknown as CreateUserArgs;
              if (!createUserArgs.account_id || !createUserArgs.user || !createUserArgs.pseudonym) {
                throw new Error("Missing required fields: account_id, user, and pseudonym");
              }
              
              const user = await this.client.createUser(createUserArgs);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(user, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            case "canvas_list_sub_accounts": {
              const { account_id } = args as { account_id: number };
              if (!account_id) throw new Error("Missing required field: account_id");
              
              const subAccounts = await this.client.listSubAccounts(account_id);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(subAccounts, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            case "canvas_get_account_reports": {
              const { account_id } = args as { account_id: number };
              if (!account_id) throw new Error("Missing required field: account_id");
              
              const reports = await this.client.getAccountReports(account_id);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(reports, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
    
            case "canvas_create_account_report": {
              const createReportArgs = args as unknown as CreateReportArgs;
              if (!createReportArgs.account_id || !createReportArgs.report) {
                throw new Error("Missing required fields: account_id and report");
              }
              
              const report = await this.client.createAccountReport(createReportArgs);
              return {
                content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(report, null, 2) }]
              };
            }
            
            default:
              throw new Error(`Unknown tool: ${toolName}`);
          }
        } catch (error) {
          console.error(`Error executing tool ${request.params.name}:`, error);
          return {
            content: [{
              type: "text",
              text: `Error: ${error instanceof Error ? error.message : String(error)}`
            }],
            isError: true
          };
        }
      });
    }
  • CanvasClient.listFolders method that makes API call to /courses/{courseId}/folders and returns the folder list.
    async listFolders(courseId: number): Promise<any[]> {
      const response = await this.client.get(`/courses/${courseId}/folders`);
      return response.data;
    }
Behavior2/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations are provided, so the description carries full burden for behavioral disclosure. It mentions listing folders but does not specify whether this is a read-only operation, if it requires permissions, what the output format is, or any rate limits. This is a significant gap for a tool with no annotation coverage.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is a single, efficient sentence that directly states the tool's purpose without unnecessary words. It is appropriately sized and front-loaded, making it easy to understand at a glance.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the lack of annotations and output schema, the description is incomplete. It does not explain return values, behavioral traits, or usage context, which are crucial for a list operation. This leaves gaps in understanding how to effectively use the tool.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The input schema has 100% description coverage, clearly documenting the 'course_id' parameter. The description does not add any additional meaning beyond the schema, such as format examples or constraints, so it meets the baseline score of 3 for high schema coverage.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the verb ('List') and resource ('folders in a course'), making the purpose specific and understandable. However, it does not differentiate from sibling tools like 'canvas_list_files' or 'canvas_list_modules', which follow a similar pattern for different resources, so it lacks explicit sibling distinction.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines2/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives, such as other list tools for different resources or filtering options. It only states what it does without context, prerequisites, or exclusions, leaving usage unclear.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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