Crossword Genius

Rules what an officer may do under canvas? (3,12)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ten commandments

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'do under canvas?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'rules what an officer' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'an' could be 'a' and 'a' is found in the answer.
'officer' could be 'nco' (abbreviation for non-commissioned officer) and 'nco' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'may' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for ten commandments that I've seen is " Orders from on high".)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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