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.
\nThis skill operates in three modes:
\nThe user describes the course structure in natural language or provides a structured spec.
\nLoad a saved JSON template to scaffold a course.
\nRead the structure of Course A and replicate it into Course B.
\nAsk the user how they want to build:
\n\n\nHow would you like to build the course structure?
\n\n
\n- Describe it -- Tell me the structure (e.g., \"15 weeks, each with an overview page, assignment, and discussion\")
\n- From template -- Load a saved template file
\n- Clone another course -- Copy structure from an existing course
\n
For Mode 1 (Spec): Ask for:
\nFor Mode 2 (Template): Ask for the template file path. Parse the JSON template.
\nFor Mode 3 (Clone): Ask for:
\nget_course_structure(source_course) to read the full structureBuild a preview of what will be created and present it to the user:
\n## Course Build Plan: [Course Name]\n\n### Structure: 15 modules x 4 items each = 60 items total\n\n| Module | Page | Assignment | Discussion | SubHeader |\n|--------|------|------------|------------|-----------|\n| Week 1: Introduction | Overview | HW 1 (10 pts) | Week 1 Forum | Materials |\n| Week 2: Fundamentals | Overview | HW 2 (10 pts) | Week 2 Forum | Materials |\n| ... | ... | ... | ... | ... |\n| Week 14: Review | Overview | -- | Review Forum | Materials |\n| Week 15: Final | Overview | Final Project (100 pts) | -- | Materials |\n\n### Items to create:\n- 15 modules\n- 15 overview pages\n- 14 assignments\n- 14 discussion topics\n- 15 subheaders\n- Total: 73 Canvas objects\n\nShall I proceed?\nWait for explicit approval. The user may:
\nDo NOT proceed without approval.
\nCreate items in dependency order:
\ncreate_module for each module (unpublished by default for safety)create_page for each overview pagecreate_assignment for each assignment (unpublished)create_discussion_topic for each forumadd_module_item to link each created item to its moduleTrack progress and report as you go:
\nCreating modules... 15/15 done\nCreating pages... 15/15 done\nCreating assignments... 14/14 done\nCreating discussions... 14/14 done\nLinking items to modules... 58/58 done\nIf any creation fails, log the error and continue with remaining items.
\n## Build Complete: [Course Name]\n\n### Created:\n- 15 modules\n- 15 overview pages\n- 14 assignments\n- 14 discussion topics\n- 58 module items linked\n\n### Failed (0):\nNone\n\n### Next Steps:\n- All items created **unpublished** -- publish when ready\n- Add content to overview pages\n- Set due dates on assignments\n- Run `/canvas-course-qc` to verify structure\nAfter building, offer to save the structure as a reusable template:
\n\n\nWould you like to save this structure as a template for future courses?
\n
If yes, call get_course_structure(target_course) and save the output as a JSON file.
| Tool | \nPurpose | \n
|---|---|
list_courses | \nFind available courses | \n
get_course_structure | \nRead source course for cloning; verify after build | \n
create_module | \nCreate each module | \n
create_page | \nCreate overview/content pages | \n
create_assignment | \nCreate assignments | \n
create_discussion_topic | \nCreate discussion forums | \n
add_module_item | \nLink items to modules | \n
update_module | \nPublish modules when ready | \n
Templates are JSON files with this structure:
\n{\n \"template_name\": \"Standard 15-Week Semester\",\n \"modules\": [\n {\n \"name_pattern\": \"Week {n}: {topic}\",\n \"items\": [\n {\"type\": \"SubHeader\", \"title_pattern\": \"Week {n} Materials\"},\n {\"type\": \"Page\", \"title_pattern\": \"Week {n} Overview\"},\n {\"type\": \"Assignment\", \"title_pattern\": \"HW {n}\", \"points\": 10},\n {\"type\": \"Discussion\", \"title_pattern\": \"Week {n} Discussion\"}\n ]\n }\n ],\n \"special_modules\": [\n {\"position\": 8, \"name\": \"Midterm Review\", \"items\": [{\"type\": \"Page\", \"title\": \"Midterm Study Guide\"}]},\n {\"position\": 15, \"name\": \"Final Project\", \"items\": [{\"type\": \"Assignment\", \"title\": \"Final Project\", \"points\": 100}]}\n ]\n}\nUser: \"Build a 15-week structure for BADM 350 with a weekly overview page, homework, and discussion\"
\nAgent: Generates preview, asks for approval, creates 60+ items.
\nUser: \"Clone the structure from CS 101 into CS 102\"
\nAgent: Reads CS 101 structure, generates preview for CS 102, asks approval, creates matching structure.
\nget_page_content + create_page with the body.canvas-course-qc after building to verify the structure is complete and consistent.