Brightspace MCP Server

MCP server for D2L Brightspace. Multi-auth, 26+ tools, MCP Resources, Prompts, and web dashboard.

Local serverstdio

What is the Brightspace MCP server?

Most file and storage access work still happens through a UI a human drives. Brightspace MCP server moves it into the conversation instead. MCP server for D2L Brightspace. Multi-auth, 26+ tools, MCP Resources, Prompts, and web dashboard.

The short version

📖 Full documentation site →

Getting it running

Installation goes through your MCP client rather than a global install: point it at brightspace-mcp on npm and it is fetched when the client starts. The copy-paste blocks for Claude Desktop, Claude Code and Cursor are further down this page.

The tools it exposes

The server publishes 14 tools. What each one is for:

  • check_auth — Verify authentication and show the active user identity
  • list_my_courses — List all enrolled courses
  • get_my_grades — Get grades for a course
  • get_assignments — List assignments and dropbox folders
  • get_assignment_files — Download and read instructor-posted assignment files
  • get_upcoming_due_dates — List assignments due in the next N days
  • get_feedback — Read instructor feedback on submitted assignments
  • get_syllabus — Fetch the course syllabus
  • get_course_content — Browse modules and topics (includes topic IDs)
  • get_topic_file — Download and read a content topic file (DOCX, PDF, HTML, plain text)
  • get_announcements — List course announcements
  • get_discussions — Browse discussion forums and threads

What it needs from you

Configuration is passed through the environment: BRIGHTSPACE_CONFIG, BRIGHTSPACE_API_TOKEN, BRIGHTSPACE_COOKIE, BRIGHTSPACE_TOTP_SECRET. Treat anything key-shaped as a real credential — scope it to the minimum the server needs, and rotate it if it ever lands in a shared config.

Things to watch

  • It runs with your machine's permissions. That is convenient and also the reason to think about what you point it at before you approve a tool call.
  • With 14 tools registered it takes up a noticeable share of the context window; turn it off in projects that never touch Brightspace.
  • Missing credentials fail quietly in some clients — if no tools show up, check the environment block first.
  • Keep per-call confirmation enabled while you learn its behaviour; it is the cheapest safeguard you have.

How it compares

Among the file and storage access options, the useful question is rarely "what can it do" but "what does it cost you to run" — permissions, credentials, and how much of your context its toolset consumes. Brightspace's toolset — check_auth, list_my_courses, get_my_grades and 11 more — is a fair guide to whether it matches your workflow. It is maintained by JhostinAleck; worth a glance at recent repository activity before you build anything load-bearing on it.

This entry was verified against Brightspace's own documentation before publication; SyncDev keeps the directory reviewed rather than auto-generated.

Available tools

ToolWhat it does
check_authVerify authentication and show the active user identity
list_my_coursesList all enrolled courses
get_my_gradesGet grades for a course
get_assignmentsList assignments and dropbox folders
get_assignment_filesDownload and read instructor-posted assignment files
get_upcoming_due_datesList assignments due in the next N days
get_feedbackRead instructor feedback on submitted assignments
get_syllabusFetch the course syllabus
get_course_contentBrowse modules and topics (includes topic IDs)
get_topic_fileDownload and read a content topic file (DOCX, PDF, HTML, plain text)
get_announcementsList course announcements
get_discussionsBrowse discussion forums and threads
get_calendar_eventsList calendar events in a date range
get_rosterGet the full course roster

How to install the Brightspace MCP server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "brightspace": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "brightspace-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "BRIGHTSPACE_CONFIG": "your-value",
        "BRIGHTSPACE_API_TOKEN": "your-value",
        "BRIGHTSPACE_COOKIE": "your-value",
        "BRIGHTSPACE_TOTP_SECRET": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Add to claude_desktop_config.json, then restart Claude Desktop.

Configuration

VariableDescriptionRequired
BRIGHTSPACE_CONFIGConfiguration value read at startup.Optional
BRIGHTSPACE_API_TOKENCredential the server authenticates with.Yes
BRIGHTSPACE_COOKIEConfiguration value read at startup.Optional
BRIGHTSPACE_TOTP_SECRETCredential the server authenticates with.Yes

Example prompts to try

  • Use Brightspace to check auth.
  • Use Brightspace to list my courses.
  • Use Brightspace to get my grades.

Frequently asked questions

It connects Brightspace to MCP-compatible AI assistants such as Claude and Cursor, exposing 14 tools (check_auth, list_my_courses, get_my_grades, and more) that the assistant can call on your behalf. Instead of copying data back and forth by hand, the assistant works with Brightspace directly.