name	curriculum-package-common-cartridge
description	Generate IMS Common Cartridge 1.3 packages with QTI assessments, LTI tool links, discussion forums, and full gradebook integration. Use when creating portable, interoperable LMS packages for Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard. Activates on "create Common Cartridge", "CC package", "IMS CC", or "interoperable LMS package".

Common Cartridge Package Generation

Create IMS Common Cartridge 1.3 packages with complete course structure, QTI 2.1 assessments, LTI tool integration, and gradebook setup for maximum interoperability across LMS platforms.

When to Use

Create portable LMS packages (works across Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard, D2L, Schoology)
Export courses with QTI 2.1 assessments (portable assessment format)
Include LTI tools in course packages
Set up gradebook categories and weights
Package courses with discussion forums
Need better interoperability than SCORM provides

Advantages Over SCORM

Feature	SCORM	Common Cartridge
Assessment Format	Embedded in content	QTI 2.1 (portable)
External Tools	No	LTI 1.1/1.3 support
Gradebook Setup	Basic scoring	Full categories & weights
Discussion Forums	No	Native support
Interoperability	LMS-specific wrappers	Platform-agnostic
Modern LMS Support	Declining	Preferred format

Use Common Cartridge when:

You need QTI assessments (portable across systems)
You want to embed LTI tools (e.g., YouTube, Google Docs, simulations)
You need full gradebook configuration
You want discussion forums in the package
You need maximum interoperability

Use SCORM when:

You need simple completion tracking
Legacy LMS requires it
Content is standalone module (not full course)

Required Inputs

Curriculum Materials: Lessons (HTML/Markdown), assessments (QTI 2.1), resources
Course Metadata: Title, code, description, dates, copyright
Gradebook Configuration: Assignment groups, weights, grading standards
Optional: LTI tools, discussion forums, prerequisites

Templates Available

All templates in /templates/common-cartridge/:

imsmanifest.xml - Main manifest (required)
course-settings.xml - Gradebook and course configuration
lti-tool.xml - LTI Basic 1.0/1.1 tool links
discussion-topic.xml - Discussion forums
assessment-meta.xml - QTI assessment metadata
web-link.xml - External web links

See /templates/common-cartridge/README.md for full documentation.

Workflow

1. Gather Course Components

Collect and organize:

Course Information: Title, code, description, dates, credits
Learning Objectives: Aligned to standards (TEKS, CCSS, NGSS, etc.)
Lessons: HTML files with content
Assessments: QTI 2.1 XML files (use curriculum.export-qti skill)
Multimedia: Images, videos, audio (optimized)
Resources: PDFs, documents, handouts
LTI Tools (optional): External tool configurations
Discussion Topics (optional): Forum prompts and settings

2. Structure Course Hierarchy

Define organizational structure:

Course: Introduction to Biology (BIO-101)
├── Module 1: Cell Structure
│   ├── Lesson 1.1: Cell Membranes
│   ├── Lesson 1.2: Organelles
│   ├── Lab Activity: Microscope Use (LTI tool)
│   ├── Discussion: Cell Theory Debate
│   └── Assessment: Module 1 Quiz (QTI)
├── Module 2: Genetics
│   ├── Lesson 2.1: DNA Structure
│   ├── Lesson 2.2: Replication
│   ├── Interactive Sim: DNA Replication (LTI)
│   ├── Discussion: Ethics of Genetic Engineering
│   └── Assessment: Genetics Test (QTI)
└── Final Exam (QTI)

3. Configure Gradebook

Set up assignment groups and weights:

<assignment_groups>
  <assignment_group identifier="grp-quizzes">
    <title>Module Quizzes</title>
    <group_weight>30</group_weight>
  </assignment_group>
  <assignment_group identifier="grp-discussions">
    <title>Discussions</title>
    <group_weight>20</group_weight>
  </assignment_group>
  <assignment_group identifier="grp-labs">
    <title>Lab Activities</title>
    <group_weight>20</group_weight>
  </assignment_group>
  <assignment_group identifier="grp-exams">
    <title>Exams</title>
    <group_weight>30</group_weight>
  </assignment_group>
</assignment_groups>

Total weights should sum to 100%.

4. Generate Package Structure

Create directory structure:

course-package/
├── imsmanifest.xml              # Main manifest (required)
├── course-settings.xml          # Course config (optional but recommended)
├── lessons/
│   ├── lesson-1-1.html
│   ├── lesson-1-2.html
│   ├── lesson-2-1.html
│   └── lesson-2-2.html
├── assessments/
│   ├── module-1-quiz/
│   │   ├── assessment_meta.xml
│   │   └── assessment.xml       # QTI 2.1
│   ├── module-2-test/
│   │   ├── assessment_meta.xml
│   │   └── assessment.xml
│   └── final-exam/
│       ├── assessment_meta.xml
│       └── assessment.xml
├── discussions/
│   ├── cell-theory-debate.xml
│   └── ethics-genetic-eng.xml
├── lti-tools/
│   ├── microscope-sim.xml
│   └── dna-replication-sim.xml
├── resources/
│   ├── images/
│   │   ├── cell-diagram.png
│   │   └── dna-structure.png
│   ├── videos/
│   │   └── cell-division.mp4
│   └── documents/
│       └── lab-safety-guidelines.pdf
└── web-links/
    └── khan-academy-biology.xml

5. Generate imsmanifest.xml

Use template with variable substitution:

<manifest identifier="bio-101-2025">
  <metadata>
    <schema>IMS Common Cartridge</schema>
    <schemaversion>1.3.0</schemaversion>
    <lomimscc:lom>
      <lomimscc:general>
        <lomimscc:title>
          <lomimscc:string>Introduction to Biology</lomimscc:string>
        </lomimscc:title>
      </lomimscc:general>
    </lomimscc:lom>
  </metadata>

  <organizations>
    <organization identifier="org-bio-101" structure="rooted-hierarchy">
      <item identifier="root">
        <title>Introduction to Biology</title>

        <!-- Module 1 -->
        <item identifier="mod-1">
          <title>Module 1: Cell Structure</title>

          <!-- Lesson 1.1 -->
          <item identifier="lesson-1-1" identifierref="res-lesson-1-1">
            <title>Lesson 1.1: Cell Membranes</title>
          </item>

          <!-- Quiz -->
          <item identifier="quiz-1" identifierref="res-quiz-1">
            <title>Module 1 Quiz</title>
          </item>
        </item>
      </item>
    </organization>
  </organizations>

  <resources>
    <!-- Webcontent Resource -->
    <resource identifier="res-lesson-1-1" type="webcontent" href="lessons/lesson-1-1.html">
      <file href="lessons/lesson-1-1.html"/>
      <file href="resources/images/cell-diagram.png"/>
    </resource>

    <!-- QTI Assessment -->
    <resource identifier="res-quiz-1" type="imsqti_xmlv1p2/imscc_xmlv1p3/assessment" href="assessments/module-1-quiz/assessment_meta.xml">
      <file href="assessments/module-1-quiz/assessment_meta.xml"/>
      <dependency identifierref="res-quiz-1-qti"/>
    </resource>

    <resource identifier="res-quiz-1-qti" type="associatedcontent/imscc_xmlv1p3/learning-application-resource" href="assessments/module-1-quiz/">
      <file href="assessments/module-1-quiz/assessment.xml"/>
    </resource>
  </resources>
</manifest>

6. Add QTI Assessments

Export assessments to QTI 2.1 format:

# Use curriculum.export-qti skill
/curriculum.export-qti --assessment-file "module-1-quiz.json" --output "assessments/module-1-quiz/" --version "2.1"

Ensure QTI compliance:

Item types: Multiple Choice, True/False, Fill-in-the-Blank, Essay, Matching, Ordering
Response processing
Feedback (correct/incorrect)
Scoring

7. Add LTI Tools (Optional)

Create LTI tool configurations:

<!-- lti-tools/microscope-sim.xml -->
<cartridge_basiclti_link>
  <blti:title>Virtual Microscope Simulator</blti:title>
  <blti:launch_url>https://virtualmicroscope.edu/launch</blti:launch_url>
  <blti:custom>
    <lticm:property name="lab_id">cell-structure</lticm:property>
  </blti:custom>
  <blti:extensions platform="canvas.instructure.com">
    <lticm:property name="privacy_level">public</lticm:property>
  </blti:extensions>
</cartridge_basiclti_link>

8. Add Discussion Forums (Optional)

Create discussion topic configurations:

<!-- discussions/cell-theory-debate.xml -->
<topic>
  <title>Cell Theory Historical Debate</title>
  <text texttype="text/html">
    <![CDATA[
      <p>Read the historical context of cell theory discovery. Then, discuss:</p>
      <ul>
        <li>Why was cell theory controversial in the 1800s?</li>
        <li>How did microscopy advances enable this discovery?</li>
      </ul>
    ]]>
  </text>
  <discussion_type>threaded</discussion_type>
  <require_initial_post>true</require_initial_post>
  <assignment identifier="assign-discussion-1">
    <points_possible>10</points_possible>
    <grading_type>points</grading_type>
  </assignment>
</topic>

9. Package as .imscc

# Create ZIP archive
cd course-package
zip -r ../bio-101-2025.imscc *

# Verify structure
unzip -l ../bio-101-2025.imscc | head -20

Required files:

imsmanifest.xml (must be at root)
All resources referenced in manifest

File naming:

Use lowercase, hyphens (not spaces)
Consistent naming convention
No special characters

10. Validate Package

# Validate CC 1.3 compliance
/curriculum.validate-cc --package bio-101-2025.imscc

Validation checks:

Manifest schema validity (IMS CC 1.3 XSD)
All file references exist
QTI 2.1 compliance
LTI configuration validity
Resource types correct
No orphaned files

11. Test Import

Test in target LMS platforms:

Canvas:

1. Go to Course Settings → Import Course Content
2. Select "Common Cartridge 1.x Package"
3. Upload .imscc file
4. Choose content to import (all or selective)
5. Wait for import to complete
6. Verify: modules, lessons, assessments, gradebook

Moodle:

1. Go to Course Administration → Restore
2. Upload .imscc file
3. Select import options
4. Restore to course
5. Verify content and settings

Blackboard:

1. Control Panel → Packages and Utilities → Import Package
2. Select .imscc file
3. Choose import options
4. Submit
5. Verify course content

CLI Interface

# Basic CC package
/curriculum.package-common-cartridge \
  --materials "curriculum-artifacts/" \
  --output "course.imscc" \
  --course-id "BIO-101" \
  --course-title "Introduction to Biology"

# With gradebook configuration
/curriculum.package-common-cartridge \
  --materials "curriculum-artifacts/" \
  --output "course.imscc" \
  --course-id "BIO-101" \
  --course-title "Introduction to Biology" \
  --gradebook-config "gradebook.json"

# With QTI assessments
/curriculum.package-common-cartridge \
  --materials "curriculum-artifacts/" \
  --qti-dir "assessments/" \
  --output "course.imscc"

# With LTI tools
/curriculum.package-common-cartridge \
  --materials "curriculum-artifacts/" \
  --lti-config "lti-tools.json" \
  --output "course.imscc"

# Full example
/curriculum.package-common-cartridge \
  --materials "curriculum-artifacts/" \
  --qti-dir "assessments/" \
  --lti-config "lti-tools.json" \
  --discussions "discussions/" \
  --gradebook-config "gradebook.json" \
  --course-id "BIO-101" \
  --course-title "Introduction to Biology" \
  --course-code "BIO-101" \
  --start-date "2025-01-15" \
  --end-date "2025-05-15" \
  --output "bio-101-2025.imscc"

# Optimize for specific LMS
/curriculum.package-common-cartridge \
  --materials "curriculum-artifacts/" \
  --optimize-for "canvas" \
  --output "course.imscc"

# Help
/curriculum.package-common-cartridge --help

Integration with Other Skills

Before Packaging:

Export QTI Assessments:

/curriculum.export-qti --assessment "quiz-1.json" --output "assessments/quiz-1/" --version "2.1"

Validate Content Accessibility:

/curriculum.review-accessibility --materials "lessons/" --standard "WCAG-2.1"

Check Pedagogical Soundness:

/curriculum.review-pedagogy --materials "curriculum-artifacts/"

After Packaging:

Validate CC Package:

/curriculum.validate-cc --package "course.imscc"

Test in LMS (cc-validator agent):

/agent.cc-validator --action "test" --package "course.imscc" --lms-targets "canvas,moodle,blackboard"

Output Artifacts

Primary Output:

course.imscc - Common Cartridge package (ZIP format)

Optional Outputs:

manifest-validation-report.txt - Validation results
package-structure.txt - Package contents listing
import-instructions.md - LMS-specific import instructions

Best Practices

File Organization

✅ Do:

Use clear, descriptive file names
Organize by content type (lessons/, assessments/, resources/)
Use lowercase with hyphens (not spaces)
Keep file paths under 255 characters

❌ Don't:

Use spaces in file names
Use special characters (except hyphens, underscores)
Create deeply nested directories (>5 levels)
Include absolute file paths

QTI Assessments

✅ Do:

Use QTI 2.1 format (most compatible)
Include response processing
Add feedback for correct/incorrect
Specify point values
Include metadata

❌ Don't:

Use proprietary assessment formats
Embed assessments in HTML (use QTI)
Forget to link assessments in gradebook

LTI Tools

✅ Do:

Use HTTPS launch URLs
Specify privacy level clearly
Test tool launch in target LMS
Include icon URLs
Document custom parameters

❌ Don't:

Use HTTP-only URLs (insecure)
Forget to configure privacy settings
Hardcode user information in URLs

Gradebook Setup

✅ Do:

Make weights sum to 100%
Group similar assignments
Specify grading standards
Link assessments to gradebook
Set reasonable due dates

❌ Don't:

Leave assignments unweighted
Create too many categories (4-6 ideal)
Forget to specify points possible

Metadata

✅ Do:

Include complete course information
Add keywords for searchability
Specify copyright/license
Include creation date
Document prerequisites

❌ Don't:

Leave metadata fields empty
Use vague course descriptions
Forget copyright information

Troubleshooting

Package Won't Import

Symptom: LMS rejects .imscc file

Causes:

Invalid manifest XML
Missing required files
Incorrect resource types
Schema validation failures

Solutions:

# Validate package
/curriculum.validate-cc --package course.imscc

# Check manifest syntax
xmllint --schema imscc_v1p3.xsd imsmanifest.xml

# Verify all files referenced exist
unzip -l course.imscc

Assessments Don't Display

Symptom: QTI assessments show as blank or error

Causes:

Invalid QTI 2.1 XML
Missing item files
Incorrect resource type in manifest

Solutions:

# Validate QTI
/curriculum.export-qti --validate assessment.xml

# Check resource type in manifest
grep "imsqti_xmlv1p2/imscc_xmlv1p3/assessment" imsmanifest.xml

Gradebook Not Configured

Symptom: Assignments don't appear in gradebook

Causes:

Missing course-settings.xml
Assignments not linked to groups
No assignment group weights

Solutions:

Ensure course-settings.xml is included
Link each assignment to assignment_group
Verify weights sum to 100%

LTI Tools Don't Launch

Symptom: Tool links show error or don't open

Causes:

Invalid launch URL
Missing privacy settings
Tool not configured in LMS

Solutions:

Test launch URL manually
Verify privacy_level is set
Configure tool provider in LMS first

Exit Codes

0: Package created successfully
1: Invalid course materials
2: Missing required inputs
3: QTI validation failed
4: Manifest generation failed
5: Packaging (ZIP) failed
6: Validation failed

References

IMS Common Cartridge 1.3 Specification
IMS QTI 2.1 Specification
IMS Basic LTI 1.0
Canvas CC Documentation
Templates: /templates/common-cartridge/README.md
Production Guide: PRODUCTION_GUIDE.md Section 3

curriculum-package-common-cartridge

Install Skill

SKILL.md

Common Cartridge Package Generation

When to Use

Advantages Over SCORM

Required Inputs

Templates Available

Workflow

1. Gather Course Components

2. Structure Course Hierarchy

3. Configure Gradebook

4. Generate Package Structure

5. Generate imsmanifest.xml

6. Add QTI Assessments

7. Add LTI Tools (Optional)

8. Add Discussion Forums (Optional)

9. Package as .imscc

10. Validate Package

11. Test Import

CLI Interface

Integration with Other Skills

Output Artifacts

Best Practices

File Organization

QTI Assessments

LTI Tools

Gradebook Setup

Metadata

Troubleshooting

Package Won't Import

Assessments Don't Display

Gradebook Not Configured

LTI Tools Don't Launch

Exit Codes

References

See Also