After Effects MCP Server

After Effects MCP Server

An MCP server that drives Adobe After Effects: projects and footage, compositions, layers, keyframes and expressions, effects, text, masks and the Render Queue. It runs on the machine where After Effects is installed and talks to it through ExtendScript, the scripting interface After Effects ships with.

Requires After Effects 2023 or later on macOS or Windows, and Node.js 18 or later.

Install

Claude Code:

claude mcp add aftereffects -- npx -y adobe-mcp-aftereffects

Any client that reads an mcpServers block (Claude Desktop, Cursor, Warp, …):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "aftereffects": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "adobe-mcp-aftereffects"]
    }
  }
}

On macOS the first call asks for permission to control After Effects (System Settings > Privacy & Security > Automation). In After Effects, turn on Settings > Scripting & Expressions > Allow Scripts to Write Files and Access Network, which file operations need.

Conventions

• Compositions are chosen with comp: { id } (item ids come from list_items), { name }, or omitted for the active composition.
• Layers are chosen with layers: { indexes: [...] } (1 = top, as in the Timeline), { names: [...] } or { selected: true }.
• Properties are a shortcut (position, scale, rotation, opacity, anchor_point, source_text, …) or a path of match names or names, such as ["ADBE Effect Parade", "Gaussian Blur", "Blurriness"].
• Positions are pixels from the composition's top-left; times are seconds; colours are "#RRGGBB" or "rgb(r,g,b)".
• Files must be inside your home folder or a directory in AFTEREFFECTS_ALLOWED_DIRS.

Tools

Area	Tools
Project	get_project_info, list_items, import_files (footage, sequences, layered files as compositions, projects), create_folder, manage_items (rename, move, label, delete), save_project, open_project (or a new project), tidy_project (remove unused, consolidate, reduce)
Compositions	create_comp, set_comp_settings (size, duration, frame rate, resolution, start timecode, background, motion blur, nesting, work area, Timeline switches), create_comp_from_items (New Comp from Selection), duplicate_comp, precompose, open_comp, run_comp_command (trim, crop, poster time, lift and extract work area, flowchart, reveal), add_comp_marker, edit_markers (composition and layer markers, cue points, labels), save_frame (PNG)
Layers	list_layers, add_layer (solid, null, adjustment, text, shape, camera, light, or a project item), set_layer_properties (switches, comment, quality and sampling, blending mode, Auto-Orient, label, timing, stretch), set_transform, parent_layers (or with jump), set_track_matte, arrange_layers, duplicate_layers (or copy to another composition), delete_layers, select_layers, switch_all_layers, open_layer, trim_layers, move_layers (align, nudge, Quick Offset, slip), split_layers, reframe_layers (fit, centre, flip), replace_layer_source, set_solid_settings, set_layer_styles, choose_layer_tool
Time	remap_layer_time (time remapping, freeze frames), stretch_layers (time stretch, keeping keyframes, conform frame rate), set_frame_blending, align_video_to_data
Project	get_project_info, list_items, import_files (footage, sequences, layered files as compositions, projects, data files), create_folder, manage_items (rename, move, label, delete), save_project, save_project_copy (.aep or XML .aepx), open_project (a project, a template or a new project), run_project_command (close, revert, open most recent, increment and save), tidy_project (remove unused, consolidate, reduce), set_project_settings (time display, frame count, colour depth, expression engine, thumbnails), find_project_items, select_project_items, set_item_comment, find_missing_dependencies (footage, effects, fonts), resolve_project_fonts, edit_project_metadata (XMP)
Footage	get_footage_info, interpret_footage (alpha, frame rate, fields, pulldown, pixel aspect, loop, copy an interpretation), replace_footage (file, sequence, placeholder, solid, layered comp), set_proxy, create_proxy, create_footage_item (placeholder or solid), reload_footage, open_footage (Footage panel, Finder or Explorer, Bridge, Edit Original), detect_scene_edits, paste_svg_as_shapes
Compositions	create_comp, set_comp_settings (size, duration, frame rate, background, motion blur, work area), duplicate_comp, precompose, open_comp, add_comp_marker, save_frame (PNG)
Layers	list_layers, add_layer (solid, null, adjustment, text, shape, camera, light, or a project item), set_layer_properties (switches, quality, blending mode, label, timing, stretch), set_transform, parent_layers, set_track_matte, arrange_layers, duplicate_layers (or copy to another composition), delete_layers
Animation	get_property, set_property, set_keyframes (interpolation and easing), remove_keyframes, set_expression, convert_expression_to_keyframes, set_expression_engine (JavaScript or Legacy ExtendScript)
Keyframes	edit_keyframes (Easy Ease, Auto and Continuous Bezier, Hold, ease speed and influence, motion path tangents, roving, labels, values, time-reverse), select_keyframes, go_to_keyframe, copy_animation (keyframes, reversed, expression only, or property links), separate_dimensions, sequence_layers, run_animation_command (keyframe selection, Keyframe Assistant and Reveal commands), manage_puppet (Puppet effect, pin tools, meshes)
Effects	list_effects, apply_effect (with property values), list_layer_effects, remove_effects (or turn off), apply_preset (.ffx)
Text	add_text_layer (point or paragraph, horizontal or vertical), set_text (Source Text and Character and Paragraph formatting, for the layer or a range of characters or paragraphs), get_text, find_fonts, set_font_options (favourites, font folder rescan), set_text_options (Path Options, More Options, per-character 3D), set_text_animator (animator properties, variable font axes, Range, Wiggly and Expression selectors), list_text_animators, remove_text_animators, convert_text_layers (Create Shapes or Masks from Text, Convert to Editable Text), show_text_panels
Effect controls	find_effects (the effect catalog by category, with each effect's controls and whether it is installed), set_effect_controls (apply any effect and set its controls by name, or edit an applied one; keyframes with time), get_effect_controls (types, values, menu choices, ranges), organize_effects (duplicate, reorder, copy to other layers)
Text	set_text (Source Text and Character and Paragraph formatting)
Masks	add_mask (rectangle, ellipse or path, with mode, feather, opacity, expansion), list_masks, set_masks (mode, lock, lock others, colour, RotoBezier, motion blur, feather falloff), manage_masks (delete, remove all, duplicate, select next or previous, hide locked, mask reference on an effect), set_bezier_path (mask or shape path vertices, first vertex, direction, free transform, variable-width feather points)
Shapes	list_shape_content, add_shape_content (groups, rectangle, ellipse, polystar, path, fill, stroke, gradients, and Merge Paths, Offset Paths, Pucker & Bloat, Repeater, Round Corners, Trim Paths, Twist, Wiggle Paths, Wiggle Transform, Zig Zag with their settings), set_shape_content (transform, blend mode, line cap and join, dashes, taper, wave, fill rule, composite, gradient points, operator settings), arrange_shape_content (delete, duplicate, move, group, ungroup, convert to Bezier path), create_shapes_from_vector_layer
Paint and roto	select_drawing_tool (shape, pen, mask feather, brush, clone stamp, eraser, Roto Brush and Refine Edge tools; Paint, Brushes and Content-Aware Fill panels), list_paint_strokes, set_paint_strokes (stroke and clone settings, keyframed), set_roto_brush (Roto Brush & Refine Edge settings)
3D	set_camera_options (zoom, F-Stop, depth of field, iris, highlights, Point of Interest), set_light_options (type, colour, intensity, cone, falloff, shadows, environment source), set_material_options (shadows, lights, reflections, transparency; environment layer), set_geometry_options (bevel, extrusion, curvature), set_comp_3d_settings (3D renderer, Draft 3D), set_3d_view (View > Switch 3D View, Reset, Look at, Create Camera from 3D View), run_camera_command (focus links, orbit null, stereo rig, cameras and lights from 3D models), set_camera_tool
Render	list_render_templates, queue_render (a span, one frame, or a pre-render), get_render_item, set_render_settings (template and every Render Settings option, log, notification), set_output_module (template or format, file and file name template, channels, depth, resize, crop, audio, post-render action; add or remove modules), render_queue (in After Effects or Adobe Media Encoder), manage_render_queue (remove, duplicate, turn on and off), control_render_queue (pause, continue, stop, panel, progress), configure_render_engine (Multi-Frame Rendering, Watch Folder)
Essential Graphics	set_essential_graphics (primary composition, template and control names), add_essential_graphics_controls (properties, dropdown menus, media replacement), add_protected_region (Responsive Design - Time), export_motion_graphics_template (.mogrt)
Render	list_render_templates, queue_render, render_queue (in After Effects or Adobe Media Encoder), manage_render_queue
Tracking	start_tracking (Track Motion, Track Mask, Track this Property, Mocha, Tracker panel, Motion Tracking workspace), apply_warp_stabilizer, apply_camera_tracker (3D Camera Tracker), get_tracking_data (track points, face measurements), set_track_point
Colour	get_color_management (and colour profiles), set_color_management (bit depth, working space, gamma, linearize, blending), set_display_color (display colour management, Simulate Output, Lumetri Scopes), apply_color_effect (grading, broadcast-safe, output simulation on an adjustment layer)
Application	purge_caches (Edit > Purge), run_edit_command (undo, redo, cut, copy, paste, select), get_aftereffects_info (version, system, GPU, preference values), set_application_settings (memory, GPU acceleration, documented preferences), manage_script_settings, quit_aftereffects
Interface	get_viewer_state, set_view_options (zoom, resolution, channels, exposure, Fast Previews, rulers, guides), run_view_command (grid, layouts, new or close viewer), edit_comp_guides, set_current_tool, go_to_time, show_panel, switch_workspace
Audio	set_audio_levels, remap_layer_speed (speed and pitch), run_audio_command (Convert Audio to Keyframes, Edit in Adobe Audition)
Automation	run_aftereffects_script_file (now, scheduled, or from File > Scripts), manage_motion_graphics_template
Collaboration	manage_team_project (status, create, open, share, get latest, resolve, convert, close)
Utility	aftereffects_status, run_menu_command, execute_aftereffects_code, help

help({ tool }) describes any tool's parameters.

How it stays out of your way

• No dialogs. Every script runs with After Effects' dialogs suppressed.
• One undo step per call. Each call that changes the project is one entry in Edit > Undo.
• Windows without COM. After Effects has no COM interface, so on Windows the server hands scripts to AfterFX.exe -r and reads the result back from a file. Set AFTEREFFECTS_EXE if After Effects is not in the default location.
• Timeouts say why. If After Effects does not answer within AFTEREFFECTS_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS (default 120 s), the error says a dialog is probably open. Raise it for long renders.
• No raw input in scripts. Every value a caller passes is validated and written into the script as a literal.

Configuration

Variable	Purpose
AFTEREFFECTS_APP_NAME	macOS: address a specific copy, e.g. Adobe After Effects 2025. By default the server addresses After Effects by its bundle id.
AFTEREFFECTS_EXE	Windows: path to AfterFX.exe.
AFTEREFFECTS_ALLOWED_DIRS	Extra directories for importing, saving and rendering (:-separated on macOS, ; on Windows).
AFTEREFFECTS_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS	How long to wait for After Effects. Default 120000.
AFTEREFFECTS_TARGET	Set to craft to route commands to EffectCraft.
EFFECTCRAFT_CONTROL_PORT	Port for EffectCraft bridge (default 9877).

ArtCraft (EffectCraft) Support

This server features transparent adapter support for Storytold's EffectCraft motion graphics application. When After Effects is not installed or running, or when AFTEREFFECTS_TARGET=craft (or ADOBE_TARGET=craft) is set, compatible tools route directly to EffectCraft's loopback bridge protocol (127.0.0.1:9877 by default or EFFECTCRAFT_CONTROL_PORT).

Development

npm test         # definitions, argument parsing, protocol, and the static script audit
npm run audit    # the audit alone, with findings listed
npm run check    # syntax check

src/data/effects.json is the effect catalog, built from the capability atlas with node scripts/update-effects.js <path to adobe-capability-atlas>.

The audit checks each generated script against After Effects' scripting object model (types-for-adobe, After Effects 26.0). Nothing is validated against After Effects itself yet.