Claude Code Plugins

Community-maintained marketplace

Feedback

curriculum-validate-cc

@pauljbernard/content
0
0

Validate IMS Common Cartridge 1.3 packages against spec, check manifest schema, verify file references, validate QTI assessments, and ensure LMS compatibility. Use when validating CC packages before delivery. Activates on "validate Common Cartridge", "check CC package", "verify IMS CC", or "CC validation".

Install Skill

1Download skill
2Enable skills in Claude

Open claude.ai/settings/capabilities and find the "Skills" section

3Upload to Claude

Click "Upload skill" and select the downloaded ZIP file

Note: Please verify skill by going through its instructions before using it.

SKILL.md

name curriculum-validate-cc
description Validate IMS Common Cartridge 1.3 packages against spec, check manifest schema, verify file references, validate QTI assessments, and ensure LMS compatibility. Use when validating CC packages before delivery. Activates on "validate Common Cartridge", "check CC package", "verify IMS CC", or "CC validation".

Common Cartridge Validation

Validate IMS Common Cartridge 1.3 packages for specification compliance, structural integrity, and LMS compatibility before delivery.

When to Use

  • Validate CC package before delivery to customer
  • Check package after creation
  • Verify package will import successfully
  • Debug CC import failures
  • Quality assurance for CC packages
  • Pre-import validation

Required Inputs

  • CC Package: .imscc file (ZIP format)
  • Validation Level: quick, standard, thorough
  • Target LMS (optional): Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard for platform-specific checks

Validation Checks

Level 1: Structure Validation (Quick, 1-2 minutes)

File Structure:

  • ✓ Package is valid ZIP file
  • ✓ imsmanifest.xml exists at root
  • ✓ imsmanifest.xml is valid XML
  • ✓ No OS-specific files (.DS_Store, Thumbs.db, __MACOSX)
  • ✓ No hidden files or directories

File References:

  • ✓ All files in manifest exist in package
  • ✓ No orphaned files (files not referenced in manifest)
  • ✓ File paths use forward slashes (not backslashes)
  • ✓ File names don't contain special characters

Level 2: Schema Validation (Standard, 3-5 minutes)

Manifest Schema:

  • ✓ Valid against IMS CC 1.3 XSD schema
  • ✓ Required elements present (metadata, organizations, resources)
  • ✓ Namespace declarations correct
  • ✓ Schema version specified (1.3.0)
  • ✓ Identifier attributes unique

Metadata:

  • ✓ Schema type: "IMS Common Cartridge"
  • ✓ Schema version: "1.3.0"
  • ✓ LOM metadata structure valid
  • ✓ Title, description present
  • ✓ Copyright information included

Organizations:

  • ✓ At least one organization defined
  • ✓ Default organization specified
  • ✓ Structure is "rooted-hierarchy"
  • ✓ All item identifiers unique
  • ✓ All identifierref values reference existing resources

Resources:

  • ✓ All resource identifiers unique
  • ✓ Resource types valid for CC 1.3
  • ✓ href attributes point to existing files
  • ✓ Dependencies reference existing resources

Level 3: Content Validation (Thorough, 5-10 minutes)

QTI Assessments:

  • ✓ Assessment metadata valid (assessment_meta.xml)
  • ✓ QTI 2.1 XML valid against schema
  • ✓ Item types supported
  • ✓ Response processing defined
  • ✓ Scoring configured
  • ✓ Feedback present (optional but recommended)

LTI Tools:

  • ✓ LTI configuration XML valid
  • ✓ Launch URL present and valid format
  • ✓ Secure launch URL (HTTPS) present
  • ✓ Vendor information included
  • ✓ Privacy level specified
  • ✓ Platform extensions valid

Discussion Topics:

  • ✓ Discussion XML valid against schema
  • ✓ Title and text present
  • ✓ Discussion type valid (threaded, side_comment)
  • ✓ Grading configuration valid (if graded)

Web Links:

  • ✓ Web link XML valid
  • ✓ URL present and valid format
  • ✓ Target specified

Web Content:

  • ✓ HTML files are valid HTML5
  • ✓ No broken internal links
  • ✓ Images referenced exist
  • ✓ CSS files valid
  • ✓ JavaScript files don't have syntax errors

Level 4: Accessibility Validation (Thorough)

WCAG 2.1 AA Compliance:

  • ✓ All images have alt text
  • ✓ Color contrast ratios meet AA standards
  • ✓ Headings use semantic HTML (h1, h2, etc.)
  • ✓ Links have descriptive text
  • ✓ Forms have labels
  • ✓ Tables have headers
  • ✓ No keyboard traps
  • ✓ ARIA labels where appropriate

Level 5: LMS-Specific Validation (Optional)

Canvas-Specific:

  • ✓ course-settings.xml valid against Canvas schema
  • ✓ Assignment groups configured
  • ✓ Module requirements valid
  • ✓ LTI tool placements valid

Moodle-Specific:

  • ✓ Activity types supported
  • ✓ Grading scales compatible
  • ✓ Resource types recognized

Blackboard-Specific:

  • ✓ Content types compatible
  • ✓ Assessment types supported

Workflow

1. Extract Package

# Extract .imscc to temporary directory
unzip course.imscc -d /tmp/cc-validate-XXXXX

# Verify structure
ls -la /tmp/cc-validate-XXXXX/

Expected structure:

course/
├── imsmanifest.xml         # Required at root
├── course-settings.xml     # Optional
├── lessons/
├── assessments/
├── discussions/
├── lti-tools/
├── resources/
└── web-links/

2. Validate Manifest Schema

# Validate against IMS CC 1.3 XSD
xmllint --noout --schema imscc_v1p3_imscp_v1p2.xsd imsmanifest.xml

# Check for well-formed XML
xmllint --noout imsmanifest.xml

Common Schema Errors:

  • Missing namespace declarations
  • Invalid element nesting
  • Required attributes missing
  • Invalid resource types

3. Validate File References

# Pseudocode for reference validation
manifest = parse_xml("imsmanifest.xml")

# Get all file references from manifest
referenced_files = []
for resource in manifest.resources:
    referenced_files.append(resource.href)
    for file in resource.files:
        referenced_files.append(file.href)

# Check all references exist
for file_path in referenced_files:
    if not exists(file_path):
        error(f"Missing file: {file_path}")

# Check for orphaned files
package_files = list_all_files()
for file in package_files:
    if file not in referenced_files and file != "imsmanifest.xml":
        warning(f"Orphaned file (not in manifest): {file}")

4. Validate QTI Assessments

# For each QTI assessment
for assessment in assessments/*; do
    # Validate assessment metadata
    xmllint --noout --schema assessment_meta.xsd $assessment/assessment_meta.xml

    # Validate QTI 2.1 XML
    xmllint --noout --schema qtiasiv2p1.xsd $assessment/assessment.xml

    # Check item types
    check_qti_item_types $assessment/assessment.xml
done

QTI Validation Checks:

  • Item types: choice, text_entry, matching, ordering
  • Response processing exists
  • Correct response defined
  • Point values specified
  • Feedback present

5. Validate LTI Tools

# For each LTI tool
for tool in lti-tools/*; do
    # Validate LTI XML
    xmllint --noout --schema blti_v1p0.xsd $tool

    # Check required fields
    check_lti_fields $tool
done

LTI Validation Checks:

  • Launch URL present
  • Launch URL uses HTTPS (recommended)
  • Title present
  • Vendor information complete
  • Privacy level specified
  • Platform extensions valid

6. Generate Validation Report

Common Cartridge Validation Report
===================================

Package: bio-101-2025.imscc
Validation Date: 2025-11-06T13:30:00Z
Validation Level: Thorough

SUMMARY
-------
Overall Status: PASS ✓
Total Checks: 87
Passed: 85
Warnings: 2
Errors: 0

DETAILED RESULTS
----------------

[✓] Structure Validation (12 checks)
  ✓ Package is valid ZIP
  ✓ imsmanifest.xml exists at root
  ✓ imsmanifest.xml is valid XML
  ✓ No OS-specific files
  ✓ All referenced files exist
  ✓ No orphaned files
  ... (6 more)

[✓] Schema Validation (25 checks)
  ✓ Valid against IMS CC 1.3 XSD
  ✓ Required elements present
  ✓ Namespace declarations correct
  ✓ All identifiers unique
  ... (21 more)

[✓] QTI Assessment Validation (18 checks)
  ✓ 3 assessments found
  ✓ All assessment metadata valid
  ✓ All QTI 2.1 XML valid
  ✓ Response processing defined
  ✓ Scoring configured
  ... (13 more)

[⚠] Accessibility Validation (15 checks)
  ✓ All images have alt text
  ✓ Color contrast ratios meet AA
  ⚠ 2 links have non-descriptive text ("click here")
  ⚠ 1 video missing captions
  ... (11 more)

[✓] LTI Tool Validation (8 checks)
  ✓ 2 LTI tools configured
  ✓ All launch URLs valid
  ✓ All use HTTPS
  ✓ Vendor information complete
  ... (4 more)

WARNINGS (2)
------------
1. lessons/lesson-1-2.html: Link text "click here" is not descriptive (line 42)
2. resources/videos/cell-division.mp4: Video missing caption track

RECOMMENDATIONS
---------------
1. Update link text to be descriptive ("View cell diagram" instead of "click here")
2. Add WebVTT caption file for video: resources/videos/cell-division.vtt
3. Consider adding more feedback to QTI questions (optional)

PACKAGE DETAILS
---------------
Course ID: bio-101-2025
Course Title: Introduction to Biology
Lessons: 8
Assessments: 3 (QTI 2.1)
Discussion Topics: 2
LTI Tools: 2
Resources: 47 files (images, videos, PDFs)

Package Size: 14.2 MB
Extracted Size: 15.8 MB

IMPORT COMPATIBILITY
--------------------
Canvas: ✓ Compatible
Moodle: ✓ Compatible
Blackboard: ✓ Compatible
D2L Brightspace: ✓ Compatible
Schoology: ✓ Compatible

NEXT STEPS
----------
1. ✓ Package is ready for delivery
2. Address 2 accessibility warnings (optional but recommended)
3. Test import in target LMS before final delivery
4. Generate import instructions for customer

Report generated by: curriculum.validate-cc v1.0.0

CLI Interface

# Quick validation (structure only)
/curriculum.validate-cc --package course.imscc --level quick

# Standard validation (structure + schema)
/curriculum.validate-cc --package course.imscc --level standard

# Thorough validation (all checks)
/curriculum.validate-cc --package course.imscc --level thorough

# With target LMS checks
/curriculum.validate-cc --package course.imscc --level thorough --target-lms canvas

# Generate detailed report
/curriculum.validate-cc --package course.imscc --level thorough --report-file validation-report.txt

# JSON output for automation
/curriculum.validate-cc --package course.imscc --level thorough --format json --output validation.json

# Validate multiple packages
/curriculum.validate-cc --packages "*.imscc" --level standard

# Help
/curriculum.validate-cc --help

Output Formats

Text Report (Default)

Human-readable validation report with:

  • Summary section (pass/fail, counts)
  • Detailed results by validation category
  • Warnings and errors with line numbers
  • Recommendations for fixes
  • Import compatibility matrix

JSON Output

{
  "package": "bio-101-2025.imscc",
  "validation_date": "2025-11-06T13:30:00Z",
  "level": "thorough",
  "summary": {
    "status": "pass",
    "total_checks": 87,
    "passed": 85,
    "warnings": 2,
    "errors": 0
  },
  "structure_validation": {
    "status": "pass",
    "checks": 12,
    "passed": 12
  },
  "schema_validation": {
    "status": "pass",
    "checks": 25,
    "passed": 25
  },
  "qti_validation": {
    "status": "pass",
    "checks": 18,
    "passed": 18,
    "assessments": 3
  },
  "accessibility_validation": {
    "status": "warning",
    "checks": 15,
    "passed": 13,
    "warnings": 2,
    "issues": [
      {
        "type": "warning",
        "file": "lessons/lesson-1-2.html",
        "line": 42,
        "message": "Link text 'click here' is not descriptive",
        "recommendation": "Use descriptive text like 'View cell diagram'"
      },
      {
        "type": "warning",
        "file": "resources/videos/cell-division.mp4",
        "message": "Video missing caption track",
        "recommendation": "Add WebVTT caption file"
      }
    ]
  },
  "lti_validation": {
    "status": "pass",
    "checks": 8,
    "passed": 8,
    "tools": 2
  },
  "compatibility": {
    "canvas": true,
    "moodle": true,
    "blackboard": true,
    "d2l_brightspace": true,
    "schoology": true
  }
}

XML Output

<validation-report>
  <package>bio-101-2025.imscc</package>
  <summary status="pass">
    <total-checks>87</total-checks>
    <passed>85</passed>
    <warnings>2</warnings>
    <errors>0</errors>
  </summary>
  <structure-validation status="pass"/>
  <schema-validation status="pass"/>
  <qti-validation status="pass"/>
  <accessibility-validation status="warning">
    <issue type="warning" file="lessons/lesson-1-2.html" line="42">
      Link text 'click here' is not descriptive
    </issue>
  </accessibility-validation>
  <lti-validation status="pass"/>
</validation-report>

Common Issues and Fixes

Issue 1: Invalid Manifest Schema

Error:

Element '{http://www.imsglobal.org/xsd/imsccv1p3/imscp_v1p1}manifest':
Missing child element(s). Expected is ( {http://www.imsglobal.org/xsd/imsccv1p3/imscp_v1p1}organizations ).

Cause: Missing required <organizations> element

Fix:

<manifest>
  <metadata>...</metadata>
  <organizations>
    <organization identifier="org-1" structure="rooted-hierarchy">
      <item identifier="root">
        <title>Course Title</title>
      </item>
    </organization>
  </organizations>
  <resources>...</resources>
</manifest>

Issue 2: Orphaned Files

Warning:

Orphaned file (not in manifest): resources/images/unused-diagram.png

Cause: File exists in package but not referenced in manifest

Fix Options:

  1. Add file to manifest if needed
  2. Remove file from package if unused
  3. Add to resource dependencies

Issue 3: Broken File References

Error:

Missing file: lessons/lesson-5.html (referenced in manifest)

Cause: Manifest references file that doesn't exist

Fix:

  • Add the missing file to package
  • Or remove reference from manifest
  • Check file path spelling (case-sensitive)

Issue 4: Invalid QTI

Error:

QTI validation failed: assessments/quiz-1/assessment.xml
Element 'correctResponse': This element is not expected.

Cause: QTI XML doesn't conform to QTI 2.1 schema

Fix:

  • Validate QTI against schema
  • Use curriculum.export-qti skill to generate valid QTI
  • Check IMS QTI 2.1 specification

Issue 5: LTI Launch URL Issues

Error:

LTI tool 'Virtual Lab' has HTTP launch URL (HTTPS recommended)

Cause: LTI tool uses insecure HTTP URL

Fix:

<blti:launch_url>http://example.com/launch</blti:launch_url>
<!-- Change to: -->
<blti:secure_launch_url>https://example.com/launch</blti:secure_launch_url>

Integration with Other Tools

Before Validation:

  1. Package created with curriculum.package-common-cartridge

After Validation: 2. If validation passes → deliver to customer 3. If validation fails → fix issues and re-validate 4. For LMS testing → use cc-validator agent

Workflow:

# 1. Create package
/curriculum.package-common-cartridge --materials "curriculum/" --output "course.imscc"

# 2. Validate package
/curriculum.validate-cc --package "course.imscc" --level thorough

# 3. If pass, test in LMS
/agent.cc-validator --action "test" --package "course.imscc" --lms-targets "canvas,moodle"

# 4. If all tests pass, deliver
cp course.imscc published/bio-101-2025.imscc

Best Practices

When to Validate

✅ Always validate:

  • Before delivering to customer
  • After package creation
  • After fixing validation errors
  • Before testing in LMS

✅ Quick validation good for:

  • During iterative development
  • Quick sanity checks
  • CI/CD pipelines

✅ Thorough validation good for:

  • Final QA before delivery
  • Customer-facing packages
  • High-stakes courses

Validation Levels

Level Time Use Case
Quick 1-2 min Development, CI/CD
Standard 3-5 min Pre-testing validation
Thorough 5-10 min Final QA, delivery

Handling Warnings

Accessibility Warnings:

  • High priority - impacts users with disabilities
  • Fix before delivery when possible
  • Document if cannot fix

Orphaned Files:

  • Medium priority - wastes storage
  • Remove unused files
  • Low impact on functionality

Missing Feedback:

  • Low priority - optional but helpful
  • Add feedback when time permits
  • Improves learning experience

Exit Codes

  • 0: Validation passed (no errors)
  • 1: Validation failed (errors found)
  • 2: Validation passed with warnings
  • 3: Invalid package format (not .imscc)
  • 4: Cannot extract package (corrupted ZIP)
  • 5: Missing imsmanifest.xml

Performance

Typical Validation Times:

Package Size Quick Standard Thorough
Small (<5 MB, 5-10 lessons) 30 sec 1-2 min 3-5 min
Medium (5-20 MB, 10-30 lessons) 1 min 3-5 min 5-10 min
Large (20-100 MB, 30+ lessons) 2-3 min 5-10 min 10-20 min

References

See Also

  • curriculum.package-common-cartridge - Create CC packages
  • curriculum.export-qti - Generate QTI 2.1 assessments
  • cc-validator agent - Automated LMS testing
  • PRODUCTION_GUIDE.md - Complete CC workflows