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Connect AI assistants to Canva with the AI Connector

You can connect AI assistants like Claude, ChatGPT, and Cursor to Canva. Once connected, your AI assistant can create designs with Canva AI, autofill templates, find existing designs, and export them as PDFs or images.

Check your plan eligibility

The AI Connector is available with:

• Canva Pro

• Canva Teams

• Canva Business

• Canva Nonprofit

Connection methods

Choose the method that works best for your AI assistant:

  • Apps/Connectors - ChatGPT App, Claude Connector
  • Manual Configuration - Claude Desktop, Cursor, Claude Code

Before you start

The AI Connector lets AI assistants connect to Canva's API. To use the Canva AI Connector, you'll need:

  • An AI assistant that supports Model Context Protocol (MCP):
    • ChatGPT
    • Claude Desktop
    • Claude Code
  • A Canva account with an eligible plan (see eligibility above)

Note: For detailed setup instructions, check the Canva MCP Server documentation. Each AI tool has specific configuration steps.

Once you're set up, return here to confirm the connection and explore usage tips.

Connect through ChatGPT

Turn on Canva in ChatGPT

  1. Open ChatGPT and select Settings.
  2. Go to Apps & Connectors.
  3. Find Canva and follow the prompts to connect.

Turn off Canva in ChatGPT

  1. Go to Settings and select Apps & Connectors.
  2. Find Canva and select Manage.
  3. Select Disconnect.

Use Deep Research with Canva

You can enable Canva as a data source inside supported AI assistants.

  1. In a chat, select ➕ Plus.
  2. Enable Canva Deep Research.
  3. Select Sources, then toggle Canva on.

Connect through Claude

Turn on Canva in Claude

  1. Open Claude and go to Settings.
  2. Select Connectors.
  3. Find Canva in the list and select it.
  4. Follow the prompts to connect your Canva account.
  5. In a new chat, select the settings icon.
  6. In the Connectors section, toggle Canva on.

Turn off Canva in Claude

To temporarily disable Canva in a chat:

  1. Start a new chat and select the settings icon.
  2. In the Connectors section, toggle Canva off.

To completely disconnect your account:

  1. Go to Settings and select Connectors.
  2. Find Canva and select ⋯ (More).
  3. Choose Disconnect and confirm.

Disconnect Canva AI Connector

To remove the connection:

How to disconnect the Canva MCP server

If you no longer want your AI assistant to connect with Canva, you can remove the MCP integration from your Canva settings. This stops any further requests from being sent to Canva via the MCP server.

  1. Go to Settings, then select Your Profile.
  2. Select Integrations connected to Canva.
  3. Select Disconnect next to Canva AI Connector.

Admin controls for teams

If you're using Canva Teams, Nonprofits, Education, or Enterprise, your admin controls AI Connector access.

Admin settings

  • Canva AI Connector is classified as a third-party integration
  • Admins can enable/disable it under Controls and Permissions
  • When disabled, team members can't connect AI assistants
  • The server uses the same permissions as the Connect API

Manage team access

How to manage Canva MCP server access

Admins can control whether team members can use the Canva MCP server by updating access permissions in the Admin Dashboard. This setting applies across your organization.

  1. Go to your Admin Dashboard.
  2. Go to Controls and Permissions.
  3. Find Third-party integrations.
  4. Toggle Canva AI Connector access on or off.

Note: When enabled, the AI Connector can access design metadata, create and edit designs, and use autofill features (if available in your plan). Review your data governance policies before enabling.

Security and data access

When enabled, the Canva AI Connector can:

  • Access design metadata and folders
  • Create and edit designs
  • Autofill templates (if included in your plan)

For Enterprise and Education teams:

  • Review your data governance policies before enabling
  • Consult your IT team or compliance lead if unsure
  • Limit access to approved users where needed

Connect API alignment

The Canva AI Connector uses the same endpoints as the Canva Connect API. Over time, it'll support the full suite of Connect API functionality, including content autofill, design creation, and editing features.

If your organisation isn’t comfortable with granting access to all Connect API capabilities, we recommend disabling the AI Connector in your admin Controls and Permissions settings.

Can’t connect to the AI Connector

What can cause this

  • Your plan doesn't include the AI Connector (check your plan eligibility)
  • Your admin has disabled third-party integrations
  • You're logged into the wrong Canva account
  • Node.js 22.16+ isn't installed

What to do

  1. Check your plan type. To use the AI Connector, you can switch to an eligible plan.
  2. Ensure your admin has enabled third-party integrations (Enterprise/EDU/Teams)
  3. If you have an eligible plan, confirm you’re logged into the correct Canva account.
  4. Make sure Node.js 22.16+ is installed and functioning.
  5. Contact your admin to check if third-party integrations are enabled.

Getting access denied

What can cause this

  • Your admin may have disabled the Canva AI Connector
  • Your account may not have access to certain features (like autofill)

What to do

  1. Contact your admin to enable the Canva AI Connector.
  2. Check whether your account has access to the features you’re attempting to use.

FAQs

What can I do with AI Connector?

Your AI assistant can search designs, autofill templates, export files, and more. See Use Canva in your AI assistant for all available actions and examples.

Can I use it on multiple AI assistants?

Yes. You can set up multiple assistants or clients using the same Canva account.

Is this the same as the Developer MCP Server?

No. This connector is designed for everyday creative use, not developer tools. Want to dive deeper? Check out the Canva Developer MCP Server technical guide for an AI-assisted developer experience when creating Canva apps and integrations.

Why do I see fewer tools in Claude than before?

Good news! Nothing has been removed! Canva's design tools in Claude have been simplified into two tools: read_design and edit_design. All the same capabilities are still there, plus new ones. If the updated tools aren't showing yet, try disconnecting and reconnecting the Canva connector in Claude.

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