After Effects MCP Server

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MCP server for Adobe After Effects enabling remote control via the Model Context Protocol.

How to install ↓ Compare GitHub source repository ↗

Category: Other #165 of 230
Stars: ★ 728 Popular
Transport: stdio (local process)
Runtime: Node.js 14+
Credentials: No credential needed
License: MIT
Last commit: 6 months ago ⚠
Tools: 14

48FMRS · D

This server provides a comprehensive set of After Effects control tools, suitable for experienced users to integrate AI into video editing. It requires After Effects 2022+ and local setup, which may be a barrier for beginners.

Strongest · Security and permissions 12/20 Weakest · Reliability 8/20

Reliability

8/20

Security and permissions

12/20

Maintenance

10/20

Documentation

10/20

Setup experience

8/20

Why each score

Reliability 8/20: Source code shows MCP server initialization, tool registration, and ExtendScript bridging. Build scripts and install-bridge exist, but no test suite is present, and README claims some features (e.g., create-composition) that exist in tool list but lack detailed error handling. Since no execution verification and error paths are incomplete, score is capped at 8.
Security and permissions 12/20: The server allows arbitrary script execution in After Effects via ExtendScript (run-script) without confirmation or permission restrictions. It does not handle external credentials or network requests, but the main risk is potential unsafe operations within AE environment. No malicious code or default dangerous actions found. Score 12 because permission and confirmation mechanisms are incomplete.
Maintenance 10/20: Repository has MIT license, recent commits, not archived, with 19 open issues. But no release versions or obvious security response channel found. Maintenance is active but governance gaps exist. Score 10.
Documentation 10/20: README provides detailed installation, configuration, and usage examples, lists tools and parameters, but lacks troubleshooting guide and detailed parameter descriptions for each tool. Docs are usable but have hidden assumptions. Score 10.
Setup experience 8/20: Requires manual clone, install dependencies, build, install bridge panel, and configure MCP client. Steps are clear but involve multiple manual operations, and depends on After Effects version and Node.js environment. Since no CI or tests verify the installation process, score capped at 8.

Static review · not runListed 2026-08-07

Read the FMRS scoring method →

Fit and risk

What it can accessRuns commands or code

Best for

Users who want to integrate AI into their video editing workflow
Creators who want to automate After Effects operations without deep programming
Users of MCP-compatible clients like Claude Desktop

Not for

Users without After Effects 2022 or later
Not suitable for those who want to run in the cloud or without local After Effects
Not for users needing real-time video preview or complex timeline operations

Required permissions

Requires access to the local file system to read configuration files
Requires communication with After Effects to execute commands

Risks and side effects

Requires running After Effects and Node.js locally, which may consume significant system resources
Commands may fail if the bridge panel is not open in After Effects
Executing scripts within After Effects carries security risks; avoid untrusted scripts

Setup

Before you start

Runtime：Node.js 14+

Clone the repository: git clone https://github.com/Dakkshin/after-effects-mcp.git && cd after-effects-mcp
Install dependencies: npm install
Build the project: npm run build
Install the After Effects panel: npm run install-bridge
Configure your MCP client (e.g., Claude Desktop or Cursor) with the server command and arguments.
Start the server: npm start
Open After Effects, go to Window > mcp-bridge-auto.jsx to open the bridge panel, and ensure the 'Auto-run commands' checkbox is enabled.

claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "AfterEffectsMCP": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": [
        "PATH/TO/after-effects-mcp/build/index.js"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Shown for Claude Desktop. Other clients may use a different file or key (VS Code uses "servers") — the configurator below converts it.

.vscode/mcp.json

{
  "servers": {
    "AfterEffectsMCP": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": [
        "PATH/TO/after-effects-mcp/build/index.js"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Goes in your project's .vscode/mcp.json (VS Code uses a "servers" key).

Terminal

claude mcp add AfterEffectsMCP -- node PATH/TO/after-effects-mcp/build/index.js

Run it in a terminal; replace any <…> placeholders with your own values first.

Generate and validate client config

Check that it works

After starting the server via the client config and opening the MCP Bridge Auto panel in After Effects (with Auto-run commands enabled), tools like create-composition, run-script, and setLayerKeyframe should appear in the client's tool list; calling get-help and getting the command list confirms the connection.

Troubleshooting

1. Ensure After Effects 2022 or later is installed and running.
2. Verify Node.js version is v14 or higher.
3. Ensure you have run 'npm run install-bridge' to install the panel.
4. Check that the server path in your MCP client configuration is correct.
5. Open the bridge panel in After Effects (Window > mcp-bridge-auto.jsx) and ensure 'Auto-run commands' is enabled.
6. Check server logs for error messages.

Things to try

Once connected, you can ask your AI assistant things like:

Create a composition named My Composition, 1920x1080, 30 fps, 10 seconds long
Add a position keyframe to the selected layer so it moves from left to right
Apply a wiggle expression to this layer's opacity
Delete the last layer in the current composition

Tools 14

create-composition writes

Create a new composition in After Effects with custom settings such as name, dimensions, frame rate, duration, and background color.

run-script destructive

Run a JavaScript script inside After Effects.

get-results read-only

Get results of script execution.

get-help read-only

Get help for available commands.

setLayerKeyframe writes

Add a keyframe to a layer property.

setLayerExpression writes

Add or remove expressions from layer properties.

setLayerProperties writes

Set layer properties such as position, scale, rotation, opacity, blend mode, 3D status, etc.

batchSetLayerProperties writes

Apply properties to multiple layers at once.

Show 6 more tools

getLayerInfo read-only

Get layer info (e.g., position, 3D status).

createCamera writes

Create a camera layer.

createNullObject writes

Create a null object for animation control.

duplicateLayer writes

Duplicate a layer.

deleteLayer destructive

Delete a layer from the composition.

setLayerMask writes

Create or modify layer masks.

Use cases

Let an AI assistant create and modify After Effects compositions through natural language commands

Automate repetitive animation tasks like setting keyframes and expressions

Integrate AI-assisted features into video editing workflows

Supported clients

Claude Desktop

Cursor

Listed from the project's documentation, not tested by this site.

Overview

This MCP server allows AI assistants and other applications to control Adobe After Effects through a standardized protocol. It supports creating compositions, managing layers, setting keyframes and expressions, applying masks, and more. The server uses ExtendScript to interact with After Effects and requires a companion bridge panel.

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Source revision 88d5fbf08b7a Data synced 2026-10-12 Read the FMRS scoring method