Canvas Instance so I can access and code in HTML/CSS/JS.

[Southcoast]

Hi!

Hope your well.

I'm looking to try install (or have access to a Canvas instance) so I can code frontend pages in HTML/CSS/JS and use it as a sandbox. Its for my own use to learn and develop at home. If anyone can help I would really appreciate it. I haven't use Github before and I don't have access to the Admin area on the Free Version.

Thanks!!

[RecycledElectro]

Instructure does not give out their code to Canvas for free. I think getting a copy of Canvas to run locally is expensive and has to be negotiated.

What are you planning to do with Canvas that you need to run it locally?

[Southcoast]

Hi RecycledElectro,

Thanks for the reply.

I am learning front end coding of pages in canvas and wanted to be able to do this within canvas lms. For example, I think the CSS file can be accessed as an admin. I’m just learning and would really like to do this within a Canvas setup where I can learn and work with the UI.

On GitHub it looks like you can install an open source version of canvas (I'm not sure) but that’s beyond my knowledge and skills. I have the free account but just need the admin part so I can start frontend coding and experimenting.

SC

[Chris_Hofer]

@Southcoast ...

As @RecycledElectro stated, there is no administrative pages within the free version of Canvas, Free For Teacher (FFT).  Administration pages are only available to schools who have chosen to the full paid version of Canvas.  As far as I know, individuals cannot purchase a paid Canvas environment on their own.

I'm not real familiar with the requirements for the open source version you found on GitHub, but maybe someone else here in the Community could shed some light on that for you.

Good luck!

[paul_fynn]

Hi @Southcoast 

I assume that you are already looking at the free version here Instructure Open Source and Github 

If you are looking for page (and other RCE) content in HTML, CSS via TinyMCE, and ways to 'hack' that, then there are a few informal collaborations going on within the community - you might find fellow enthusiasts, or hacks, or partial answers, in some of the following:-

Canvancements - Canvas Enhancements

Adding TinyMCE plugins to Canvas RCE 

Canvas HTML Editor Allowlist

CSS related links in Canvas Community

Happy hunting !!

[paul_fynn]

Happy hunting !!

[JamesSekcienski · Accepted solution]

@Southcoast 

To have access to the admin area to edit the theme for a side project/exploratory learning, you will need to utilize the open-source version of Canvas LMS or pay for a licensed Canvas set-up (probably not desired when you are experimenting).  Unfortunately, the free version does not provide any admin access to users.

I have run into difficulty getting the open-source version of Canvas LMS set-up before too, but it does look like they updated their documentation recently so perhaps it is easier now or maybe someone else from the Community has tips on getting started with setting it up.

Nonetheless, if you are just looking to experiment with modifying the CSS, you could try looking into making userscripts or a browser extension instead.  These would allow you to put your code in a separate file and then modify the interface for yourself while you access the website.  This way you can still experiment without the need for admin access and without the concern of impacting the experience for other users.  There are several examples of userscripts people from the Community have shared if you search for them.  @paul_fynn shared a link to Canvancements, which is a popular set of userscripts that were developed by @James. The code for the Canvas LMS Mods (Basic) browser extension is also open-source and can be viewed on GitHub: Creating a Chrome Extension to Use with Canvas LMS