AE MCP Server - Adobe After Effects Model Context Protocol Server

You can run an MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that lets AI assistants control Adobe After Effects through a reliable, file-based bridge. This makes it practical to create, modify, render, and batch-process compositions and layers with external AI clients while keeping After Effects responsive and secure.

How to use

You interact with the AE MCP Server by connecting an MCP client that talks to the server via a file-based bridge. The server writes commands as JSON files to a watched directory and CEP Extension inside After Effects picks up and executes those commands. You receive results back as response files. This setup supports creating and managing projects and compositions, manipulating layers and keyframes, rendering, and batch operations.

How to install

Prerequisites you need before installing the AE MCP Server are already present on your system: Node.js 16 or newer, npm, and either macOS or Windows. After Effects should be 2022 or newer.

Step 1 — Install and build the server components.

git clone <repository-url>
cd ae-mcp
npm install
npm run build

Step 2 — Install the CEP Extension into After Effects.

cd cep-extension
./install.sh  # macOS
# or manually copy to CEP extensions folder on Windows

Step 3 — Enable the Extension in After Effects.

Open After Effects
Window > Extensions > AE MCP Bridge
Ensure "Auto Process: ON" is enabled

Step 4 — Configure Your MCP Client to connect to the AE MCP Server. The following client configuration shows how to point your client at the local stdio server and enable file bridge mode.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ae-mcp": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/path/to/ae-mcp/dist/stdio-server-hybrid.js"],
      "env": {
        "AE_USE_FILE_BRIDGE": "true"
      }
    }
  }
}

Additional guides and examples

If you are using Claude Desktop or similar clients, you can configure the client to run the stdio server with the file bridge enabled. The actual server command may look like running Node with the path to the dist file, as shown in the example configuration above.

Troubleshooting

Common issues and quick fixes you can try if things don’t work as expected.

If the extension isn’t visible in After Effects, enable debug mode, restart After Effects, and re-open Window > Extensions > AE MCP Bridge.

Notes on architecture and workflow

The system uses a simple, reliable file-based bridge: AI Assistant <-> MCP Server <-> File System <-> CEP Extension <-> After Effects. Commands are written to a watched directory, CEP Extension runs scripts inside After Effects, and responses are written back for the AI client to consume.

Development

The project uses TypeScript for the MCP server and a CEP extension inside After Effects to apply commands. Build and test steps are available to verify command execution and rendering flows.

Available tools

create_project

Create a new After Effects project.

open_project

Open an existing project.

save_project

Save the current project.

get_project_info

Get information about the current project.

create_composition

Create a new composition with custom settings.

get_composition

Get composition details.

list_compositions

List all compositions in the project.

update_composition

Update composition settings.

create_solid_layer

Create a solid color layer.

create_text_layer

Create a text layer.

create_adjustment_layer

Create an adjustment layer.

create_null_layer

Create a null object layer.

create_shape_layer

Create a shape layer.

get_layer

Get layer information.

list_layers

List all layers in a composition.

update_layer_property

Update layer transform properties.

add_keyframe

Add keyframes to animate properties.

set_layer_parent

Set layer parenting.

add_to_render_queue

Add composition to render queue.

start_render

Start rendering the queue.

get_render_status

Check render progress.

set_render_settings

Configure render settings.

set_expression

Set an expression on a layer property.

get_expression

Get the expression from a layer property.

remove_expression

Remove an expression from a property.

enable_expression

Enable or disable an expression.

batch_set_expressions

Set multiple expressions at once.

add_wiggle_expression

Add a wiggle expression to a property.

add_loop_expression

Add a loop expression to a property.

link_properties_with_expression

Link two properties with an expression.

add_expression_control

Add expression control effects (slider, checkbox, etc.).

batch_create_comps

Create multiple compositions at once.

batch_import

Import multiple files.

batch_replace

Replace multiple items.

batch_process

Process multiple items with a script.