Brightspace vs Brightspace D2l MCP
A side-by-side look at the Brightspace and Brightspace D2l MCP MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Brightspace for education work as a local process; choose Brightspace D2l 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 Brightspace when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Education domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You have the keys it needs:
BRIGHTSPACE_API_TOKEN, BRIGHTSPACE_USERNAME, BRIGHTSPACE_PASSWORD, BRIGHTSPACE_TOTP_SECRET, BRIGHTSPACE_COOKIE, BRIGHTSPACE_NO_UPDATE_CHECK. - You want tools like
check_auth, list_my_courses, get_my_grades.
Choose Brightspace D2l MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Education domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
get_todo, get_upcoming_due_dates, get_my_courses.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Education | Education |
| Quality signal | 59/100 · Good | 55/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | Not declared | Not declared |
| Pricing | Not declared | Not declared |
| Required env vars | BRIGHTSPACE_API_TOKENBRIGHTSPACE_USERNAMEBRIGHTSPACE_PASSWORDBRIGHTSPACE_TOTP_SECRETBRIGHTSPACE_COOKIEBRIGHTSPACE_NO_UPDATE_CHECK | None listed |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 13 | 16 |
| Directory activity | 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 29 | 17 |
| Full listing | View Brightspace | View Brightspace D2l MCP |
Tools & capabilities
Brightspace tools 29
check_authVerify authentication and show the active user identitylist_my_coursesList all enrolled coursesget_my_gradesGet grades for a courseget_assignmentsList assignments and dropbox foldersget_assignment_filesDownload and read instructor-posted assignment filesget_upcoming_due_datesList assignments due in the next N daysget_feedbackRead the grade, instructor comments and per-criterion rubric results for an assignmentget_assignment_rubricShow an assignment's grading rubric (criteria, levels, points, descriptions)get_my_submissionsList and download the files you (or your group) submitted, even after the folder closesget_syllabusFetch the course syllabusget_course_contentBrowse modules and topics (includes topic IDs)get_topic_fileDownload and read a content topic file (DOCX, PDF, HTML, plain text)- +17 more on the listing page
Brightspace D2l MCP tools 17
get_todoPrioritized to-do list across every course: what's due soon, overdue, not open yet, and already doneget_upcoming_due_datesUpcoming deadlines with the real submission status of each assignmentget_my_coursesYour enrolled courses with names, codes and idsget_my_gradesGrade breakdown per course with points, percentages and instructor commentsget_assignmentsAssignments (dropboxes) and quizzes with due dates, status and rubricsget_assignment_filesReads the instructions, handouts and rubric files attached to an assignmentget_course_contentCourse modules, lecture slides, files and linksget_syllabusCourse syllabus and overviewget_announcementsRecent announcements (news) from your instructorsget_discussionsDiscussion forums, topics and postsget_rosterInstructors and TAs with contact info, optionally the full class listget_classlist_emailsEmail addresses for everyone in a course- +5 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.
Brightspace
{
"mcpServers": {
"brightspace": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"brightspace-mcp@latest"
],
"env": {
"BRIGHTSPACE_API_TOKEN": "YOUR_BRIGHTSPACE_API_TOKEN_HERE",
"BRIGHTSPACE_USERNAME": "YOUR_BRIGHTSPACE_USERNAME_HERE",
"BRIGHTSPACE_PASSWORD": "YOUR_BRIGHTSPACE_PASSWORD_HERE",
"BRIGHTSPACE_TOTP_SECRET": "YOUR_BRIGHTSPACE_TOTP_SECRET_HERE",
"BRIGHTSPACE_COOKIE": "YOUR_BRIGHTSPACE_COOKIE_HERE",
"BRIGHTSPACE_NO_UPDATE_CHECK": "YOUR_BRIGHTSPACE_NO_UPDATE_CHECK_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Brightspace D2l MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"brightspace-d2l-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"brightspace-d2l-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Brightspace is categorized under Education and uses a local stdio subprocess. Brightspace D2l MCP belongs to Education and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Brightspace for education work and Brightspace D2l 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.
Brightspace has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Brightspace D2l MCP has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. 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 brightspace and brightspace-d2l-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Brightspace has a quality signal of 59/100 (Good) with 1 views, 0 installs and 13 GitHub stars. Brightspace D2l MCP has 55/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 16 GitHub stars.