---
ref: tool:canva/generate-design
name: Generate a design
company: company:canva
workflows: []
access: [mcp]
tags: [capability:design-assets, category:design, has:mcp]
docs: https://www.canva.dev/docs/apps/mcp/tools/generate-design/
updated: 2026-09-26
---

# Generate a design

Generates design candidates from a natural-language brief and returns each candidate's id, preview link and thumbnails.

Show the candidates to the user rather than picking one, then call
`create-design-from-candidate` with the chosen `candidate_id` and the job id
to turn it into an editable design with an edit link.

## Set up

Use the first option your agent supports.

### MCP (official, remote)

Add this server to your agent's MCP settings, then sign in when asked.

```json
{ "mcpServers": { "canva": { "url": "https://mcp.canva.com/mcp" } } }
```

Call the MCP tool `generate-design`.

Server URL: https://mcp.canva.com/mcp

Before doing anything else, make one read-only call to confirm access.

## Rules

- Ask the user before anything that sends messages, costs money, or changes data.
- Never print API keys.