get_course_assignments

Use this tool to retrieve all assignments for a specific Canvas course, with optional filtering by status. This tool returns assignment details including name, description, due date, and submission status. Use this when helping users manage their coursework, check due dates, or find assignment de...

Server Canvas MCP noahjohannessen/canvas-mcp
Category Read
Risk class Low
Parameters 00 required

What get_course_assignments does on Canvas MCP

AI agents call get_course_assignments 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.

Why get_course_assignments needs a policy

This tool performs read-only operations against Canvas LMS to fetch assignment information. It retrieves and presents data without side effects, matching the Read category definition. The severity is low because misuse would only expose educational data already accessible to enrolled users, posing minimal risk of harm.

From the tool's definition Tool description states it 'retrieve[s] all assignments' and 'returns assignment details' with no mention of modification, deletion, or execution capabilities.

Questions about get_course_assignments

What does the get_course_assignments tool do? +

Use this tool to retrieve all assignments for a specific Canvas course, with optional filtering by status. This tool returns assignment details including name, description, due date, and submission status. Use this when helping users manage their coursework, check due dates, or find assignment details. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Canvas MCP MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.

How do I enforce a policy on get_course_assignments? +

Register the Canvas MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_course_assignments: 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.

What risk level is get_course_assignments? +

get_course_assignments is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.

Can I rate-limit get_course_assignments? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the get_course_assignments 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.

How do I block get_course_assignments completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for get_course_assignments. 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.

What MCP server provides get_course_assignments? +

get_course_assignments 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.

// LOOK UP ANOTHER 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.

Teams ship this data inside their own products. See what a licence covers →

// GET IN TOUCH

Have a question or want to learn more? Send us a message.

Message sent.

We'll get back to you soon.