Use this tool to retrieve all assignments for a Canvas course using its name rather than ID. This tool returns assignment details the same as get_course_assignments. Use this when you have the course name but not the ID, or when helping users find assignments across multiple courses.
AI agents call get_assignments_by_course_name to retrieve information from Canvas MCP without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves (queries) assignment information from Canvas LMS based on a course name parameter. It produces no side effects—no data is created, modified, deleted, or executed. The operation is read-only and informational in nature, making it a straightforward Read category tool with low severity risk.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_assignments_by_course_name' and description 'retrieve all assignments' indicate data querying with no modification. The description explicitly states it 'returns assignment details' with no mention of creating, modifying, or deleting data.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Use this tool to retrieve all assignments for a Canvas course using its name rather than ID. This tool returns assignment details the same as get_course_assignments. Use this when you have the course name but not the ID, or when helping users find assignments across multiple courses. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Canvas MCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Canvas MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_assignments_by_course_name: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Canvas MCP. Nothing to install.
get_assignments_by_course_name is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the get_assignments_by_course_name rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for get_assignments_by_course_name. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.
get_assignments_by_course_name is provided by the Canvas MCP server (noahjohannessen/canvas-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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