Canvas Dynamic Registration (LTI 1.3)

This guide explains how to connect Lab.Computer to Canvas LMS using Dynamic Registration. With a single URL, Canvas can register the Lab.Computer tool automatically—no manual entry of client IDs, redirect URIs, or JWK URLs.

After registration, students and instructors can open Lab.Computer from Canvas assignments, and grades can be sent back to the Canvas gradebook.

Alternative to manual setup

If you prefer to enter URLs and keys by hand, see Integrate Canvas with Lab.computer. Dynamic Registration is the recommended, simpler option when your Lab.Computer instance supports it.

What You Need

  • Canvas – An account with permission to manage Developer Keys (e.g. Account Admin or Root Admin).
  • Lab.Computer – Your Lab.Computer instance must be available over HTTPS at a stable URL (e.g. https://your-school.lab.computer).

Registration URL

Use this URL when registering in Canvas. Replace the domain with your own Lab.Computer domain:

https://<your-lab-computer-domain>/lti/register

Example: If your Lab.Computer URL is https://myschool.lab.computer, the registration URL is:

https://myschool.lab.computer/lti/register

You only need to enter this base URL. Canvas adds the required parameters when you use the Enter URL option.

Use the correct domain

The domain in the registration URL must be the same URL that students and instructors will use to access Lab.Computer. Canvas does not allow editing tool URLs after a key is created with Dynamic Registration, so the URL must be correct the first time.

How to Register in Canvas

  1. Log in to Canvas as an administrator (e.g. Account Admin or Root Admin).

  2. Open Developer Keys:

  3. Root account: Admin → Developer Keys

  4. Sub-account: Account → Developer Keys

  5. Click + Developer Key → + LTI Key.

  6. Choose Enter URL (or the option for dynamic registration). Do not choose Manual Entry.

  7. Enter your registration URL: 

    https://<your-lab-computer-domain>/lti/register
    Use the same domain that students and instructors will use to reach Lab.Computer.

  8. Submit. Canvas opens a window to complete registration. When it finishes, you will see a message that Lab.Computer was registered successfully and the window will close.

  9. Enable the new Developer Key in the list.

  10. If your institution requires it, enable LTI 1.3 for the account.

  11. Install the app in the course(s) or account where you want to use it:

  12. Go to Settings → Apps (or Integrations).
  13. Add an app and select the Lab.Computer key you just registered.

After Registration

  • Instructors can add Lab.Computer to an assignment (e.g. via External Tool / LTI) and choose the Lab.Computer app. See Instructor flow on Canvas.
  • Students open the assignment in Canvas and are taken to Lab.Computer; they are logged in automatically. See Student flow on Canvas.
  • Grades from Lab.Computer can be sent back to the Canvas gradebook when the assignment is configured for grading.

Troubleshooting

What you see What to try
"Missing openid_configuration or registration_token" Use the Enter URL option in Canvas and paste only the registration URL. Do not add anything after /lti/register. Start a new registration and try again.
"Failed to fetch OpenID configuration" or "Failed to create registration" Check that your Lab.Computer URL is correct and reachable from the internet over HTTPS. Try starting a new registration in Canvas (the previous attempt may have expired).
Registration seems to succeed but the key doesn't appear Refresh the Developer Keys page. Make sure you did not close the registration window before it finished. Try the registration again.
Students get an error when opening the assignment Confirm the Developer Key is Enabled and the app is installed in the course or account. Check that the same Lab.Computer URL was used for registration that students use to access the site.
Students are sent to the wrong URL after clicking the assignment The URL you used when registering in Canvas must match the URL where your Lab.Computer instance is actually hosted. Re-register using the correct URL if your instance was moved or the domain changed.

Need More Help?

  • For Canvas-specific steps (e.g. where to find Developer Keys in your Canvas version), see your institution's Canvas documentation or Canvas LTI 1.3 / Developer Keys guides.
  • For Lab.Computer setup or access issues, contact your Lab.Computer administrator or support.