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Platform integration

Canva MCP servers, CLI and API

Canva has two official MCP servers. The Canva AI Connector lets an assistant search, create, edit, comment on and export your designs on every plan, Free included; the Dev MCP server only helps developers build Canva apps [1][3][4]. The official @canva/cli is also for app developers [5].

InterfaceStatusDetail
Native AICanva AICanva's in-product AI. Not reviewed.[1]
Official MCP serverMCP · OfficialThe AI Connector runs on the Canva MCP server. The Dev MCP server serves docs and tools for building Canva apps and cannot reach your designs.[1][2][3][4]
Official CLICLI · OfficialCreates, previews and uploads Canva apps, and starts the Dev MCP server. canva api calls Canva's REST APIs with your CLI login.[5]
Official APIAPI · OfficialThe AI Connector uses the Connect API's permissions; the CLI's canva api commands call the same REST APIs.[3][5]
Community MCPMCP · None found0 community or third-party servers in our directory.

What an assistant can do

Canva lists each AI Connector tool with its rate limit and plan [6]. A selection:

  • Designs (all plans): search-designs, get-design-content, generate-design, create-design, copy-design, merge-designs [6]
  • Editing (all plans): start-editing-transaction, perform-editing-operations, then commit-editing-transaction or cancel-editing-transaction [6]
  • Export (all plans): export-design to PDF, PNG, JPG, PPTX, MP4 and other formats [6][1]
  • Assets, images and folders (all plans): upload-asset-from-url, generate-image, remove-background, create-folder, move-item-to-folder [6]
  • Comments (all plans): comment-on-design, reply-to-comment, list-comments [6]
  • Pro and above: resize-design, autofill-design, brand kits and brand templates [6]

The Dev MCP server

The Dev MCP server runs on your computer through the Canva CLI and needs git, npm and Node.js v24 or later [4]. For your designs, Canva points you to the AI Connector [4].

Copied from the documentation · source [4]
claude mcp add canva-dev -- npx -y @canva/cli@latest mcp

How to connect

Claude: Settings, Connectors, find Canva and sign in. In a new chat, switch Canva on under the settings icon, Connectors [7].

Canva also documents setup for ChatGPT, Gemini and Microsoft Copilot [3].

CLI: install from npm and sign in with canva login [5].

Copied from the documentation · source [5]
npm install -g @canva/cli@latest
canva login

Plans and limits

  • The AI Connector works on all Canva accounts, Free and Education included [3]. Free gets a limited resize-design trial [2][6].
  • Free exports are standard quality. Pro adds lossless PNG, transparent backgrounds and premium elements; designs with premium elements can fail with license_required [6].
  • Per-tool limits are 10 to 100 requests a minute, within a default cap of 300 a minute per user across all their MCP clients [6].
  • Edits only work on designs and assets you can edit in Canva [2].
  • On Teams, Business, Nonprofit, Education and Enterprise, an admin decides whether the connector is allowed; turning it off stops existing connections [3].
  • Canva says it will add usage limits [3].

Approvals

  • The Canva docs checked state no default approval settings. Canva's Claude guide says to adjust Canva tool access in Claude's settings where available [7].
  • The published tool list has no delete tool [6].
  • Switch Canva off per chat, or disconnect it in Settings, Connectors [7].

Canva entries in the directory

  • Design & thumbnails

    Let authorised assistants work with Canva designs and branding assets

    ForVlog thumbnails, social graphics

    Free plan listedCloudSome setup
    MCP · OfficialCLI · Via relatedAPI · Via related
    Details and sources
    Type
    Official platform integration
    Cost note
    Core free; some Pro or higher features
    Runs
    Hosted
    Watch out
    Resizing and brand-kit functions can require paid plan
    Made by
    Canva official (Canva)
    Sources
    canva.dev/docs/apps/mcp
    Canva MCP and API guideOfficial page
  • Design & thumbnails

    Generate and edit thumbnails, brand assets and short creative visuals

    ForAll creators

    Free plan listedCloudNo coding
    MCP · Via relatedCLI · Via relatedAPI · Via related
    Details and sources
    Type
    AI video app
    Cost note
    Freemium; premium AI quotas
    Runs
    Cloud
    Watch out
    Test thumbnail text legibility and brand consistency
    Made by
    Canva official (Canva)
    Sources
    canva.dev/docs/apps/mcp/access
    Canva MCP and API guideOfficial page

Sources

  1. About Canva MCP - Canva for AI assistants - Canva Developers SDK Documentation fetched 2 Nov 2026
  2. Access and permissions - Canva for AI assistants - Canva Developers SDK Documentation fetched 2 Nov 2026
  3. Connect Canva to an AI assistant - Canva Help Center fetched 2 Nov 2026
  4. Dev MCP server - Canva Developers SDK Documentation fetched 2 Nov 2026
  5. Canva CLI - Canva Developers SDK Documentation fetched 2 Nov 2026
  6. MCP tools and rate limits - Canva Developers SDK Documentation fetched 2 Nov 2026
  7. Connect your Canva account to Claude - Canva Help Center fetched 2 Nov 2026