Anki MCP vs Canvas Lms MCP
A side-by-side look at the Anki MCP and Canvas Lms MCP MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Anki MCP for education work as a local process; choose Canvas Lms MCP for education as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Anki MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Education domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
manage_flashcards, study_session, manage_decks.
Choose Canvas Lms MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Education domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
- You have the keys it needs:
CANVAS_API_TOKEN, CANVAS_BASE_URL, CANVAS_PSEUDONYMIZE_STUDENTS. - You want tools like
health_check, list_courses, get_course.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Education | Education |
| Quality signal | 59/100 · Good | 67/100 · Great |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | Not declared | API key required |
| Pricing | Not declared | Free |
| Required env vars | None listed | CANVAS_API_TOKENCANVAS_BASE_URLCANVAS_PSEUDONYMIZE_STUDENTS |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 11 | 10 |
| Directory activity | 2 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 2 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 25 | 174 |
| Full listing | View Anki MCP | View Canvas Lms MCP |
Tools & capabilities
Anki MCP tools 25
manage_flashcardsCreate, update, delete, search, inspect, and tag Anki flashcards through one high-level note/card workflow. Use this for note lifecycle work and card lookup, not for deck structure, note-type schema changes, or study scheduling. Mutating operations change the local Anki collection immediately; searches are read-only. Choose `operation` first, then provide the operation-specific IDs, query, fields, tags, or pagination inputs described by the schema.study_sessionFind due cards and apply review-state actions such as answering, suspending, unsuspending, resetting, and relearning cards. Use this for scheduling and review flow, not for editing note content or reorganizing decks. Several operations mutate card state in Anki immediately; `find_due` and `check_status` are read-only. Select `operation`, then pass either `query`, `cardIds`, or `answers` as required for that action.manage_decksCreate, delete, list, inspect, move cards between, and configure Anki decks. Use this for deck-level organization, not for editing flashcard fields, note types, or study answers. Create, delete, move, and config operations mutate the collection; list and stats/config reads do not. Set `operation` first and supply the matching deck names, card IDs, target deck, or config ID.get_analyticsRead study analytics and review history for decks, the collection, or specific cards. Use this when the agent needs reporting or diagnostics, not when it needs to mutate Anki data. This tool is read-only but some scopes can return large payloads, so prefer the narrowest scope and explicit card IDs or timestamps when available. Choose `scope`, then provide the deck, cards, or review start timestamp required by that scope.manage_modelsList, create, and modify Anki note types, including fields, templates, and CSS styling. Use this for schema/template work, not for individual note content, decks, or review scheduling. All operations except `list` mutate the collection and can affect future rendering or compatibility of notes using that model. Pick `operation` first, then provide the model name plus the exact field, template, CSS, or creation inputs needed.anki_operationsRun general Anki utility operations: sync, version lookup, package import/export, profile listing, and media storage or retrieval. Use this for cross-cutting maintenance tasks that do not belong to flashcard, deck, model, or study workflows. Import, export, sync, and media writes have external side effects; version and profile reads do not. Select `operation`, then provide the relevant deck name, file path, filename, media payload, URL, or pattern.get_media_fileRetrieve one named Anki media file as base64 data and, for images, as MCP image content that compatible clients can inspect. Use this when an agent needs the actual contents of a referenced media asset, not when it only needs media names or storage operations; those belong in `anki_operations`. This tool is read-only and rejects path traversal. Pass a simple filename exactly as stored in Anki media.gui_add_cardsgui_answer_cardgui_browsegui_check_databasegui_current_card- +13 more on the listing page
Canvas Lms MCP tools 174
health_checkCheck if the Canvas API is reachable and the token is valid. Returns ok/error status.list_coursesList courses for the authenticated user. Use fields="slim" when enumerating courses for selection; switch to "full" once you have identified the target. slim returns id, name, course_code, term name, and workflow_state only. "full" (default) includes all Canvas fields plus `include` extras (teachers, total_students, syllabus_body, etc.). `state[]` narrows by course workflow state; `enrollment_state` narrows by the caller's enrollment state.get_courseGet details for a single course. Defaults to requesting `term` and `total_students`. Pass `include` to replace the default set with custom Canvas include[] fields (teachers, permissions, syllabus_body, sections, etc.).get_syllabusGet the syllabus HTML body for a course.create_courseCreate a new course in a Canvas account. Returns the created course object.update_courseUpdate an existing course. Only provided fields are changed; omitted fields are left as-is.list_assignmentsList all assignments in a course. Use fields="slim" when enumerating assignments for selection; switch to "full" once you've identified the target. slim returns id, name, due_at, points_possible, published, and course_id only. "full" (default) includes all Canvas fields plus `include` extras (submission, all_dates, overrides, score_statistics, etc.). Use `bucket` to filter by past/upcoming/overdue/etc. Other filters: `search_term`, `assignment_ids`, `order_by`.get_assignmentGet details for a single assignment by ID. Use `include` to request submission, overrides, all_dates, score_statistics, and other optional fields.list_assignment_groupsList assignment groups (categories like Homework, Exams) in a course. Use `include=assignments` to nest assignments under each group; other includes add submission, overrides, score_statistics, etc.create_assignmentCreate a new assignment in a course.update_assignmentUpdate an existing assignment in a course.delete_assignmentDelete an assignment from a course. This action is permanent.- +162 more on the listing page
Ready-to-paste client configs
Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.
Anki MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"anki-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@arielbk/anki-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Canvas Lms MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"canvas-lms-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"canvas-lms-mcp"
],
"env": {
"CANVAS_API_TOKEN": "YOUR_CANVAS_API_TOKEN_HERE",
"CANVAS_BASE_URL": "YOUR_CANVAS_BASE_URL_HERE",
"CANVAS_PSEUDONYMIZE_STUDENTS": "YOUR_CANVAS_PSEUDONYMIZE_STUDENTS_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Anki MCP is categorized under Education and uses a local stdio subprocess. Canvas Lms MCP belongs to Education and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Anki MCP for education work and Canvas Lms MCP for education.
Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client.
Anki MCP has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Canvas Lms MCP is listed as free. Auth: api key required. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.
Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add anki-mcp and canvas-lms-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Anki MCP has a quality signal of 59/100 (Good) with 2 views, 0 installs and 11 GitHub stars. Canvas Lms MCP has 67/100 (Great) with 2 views, 0 installs and 10 GitHub stars.