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After Effects MCP Server

MCP server for controlling Adobe After Effects through a local Node bridge and ScriptUI panel for compositions, layers, keyframes, expressions, masks, and effects.

by Dakkshin·added 2026-06-06·
Claude CodeClaude Desktop
HarnessClaude CodeClaude Desktop
Review first — review before installing

Open the source and read safety notes before installing.

Safety notes

  • After Effects MCP queues predefined commands to a local bridge directory and relies on an open After Effects ScriptUI panel to execute them.
  • The bridge can create compositions, text layers, shape layers, solid layers, cameras, null objects, masks, keyframes, expressions, effects, and layer property changes.
  • Layer duplication, layer deletion, expression changes, masks, timing edits, and batch property updates can materially alter an After Effects project.
  • The install script may copy files into Adobe application folders and may require elevated privileges on some systems.
  • Enabling After Effects scripting permissions can let scripts write files and access network resources, so keep the bridge limited to trusted projects.
  • Use only the predefined script list exposed by the MCP server; do not modify it to accept arbitrary scripts unless that risk is understood.

Privacy notes

  • Tool calls and results can expose composition names, project structure, layer names, layer properties, timing, expressions, effect names, masks, and local bridge file paths.
  • Project contents may include client work, unreleased media, brand assets, filenames, text layers, and animation details.
  • The command and result files in the local bridge directory can persist recent instructions and After Effects output.
  • MCP client logs and model context may retain prompts, layer names, generated expressions, and project metadata.

Prerequisites

  • Adobe After Effects 2022 or newer.
  • Node.js, npm, and a local checkout of the repository.
  • Permission to install the ScriptUI panel into the After Effects ScriptUI Panels folder.
  • After Effects scripting preferences reviewed, including whether scripts may write files and access the network.
  • A current project backup before allowing model-driven composition or layer edits.

Schema details

Install type
cli
Troubleshooting
No
Source repository stats
Scope
Source repo
Collection metadata
Estimated setup
20 minutes
Difficulty
advanced
Tool listing metadata
Disclosure
MIT-licensed source-install MCP server for Adobe After Effects. This entry is distinct from generic design or image tools because it controls After Effects through a local Node MCP server plus an ExtendScript ScriptUI bridge panel.
Full copyable content
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "AfterEffectsMCP": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["ABSOLUTE_PATH_TO_AFTER_EFFECTS_MCP/build/index.js"]
    }
  }
}

About this resource

Content

After Effects MCP Server connects Claude and other MCP clients to Adobe After Effects through a local Node.js MCP server and an ExtendScript ScriptUI bridge panel. The MCP server writes command files, the panel polls for those commands inside After Effects, and results are returned through a local result file.

Use it when a motion-design or video workflow needs Claude to create compositions, add layers, inspect project information, set keyframes, apply expressions, or adjust layer properties with predefined commands rather than open-ended script execution.

Source Review

These sources were reviewed on 2026-06-06. Prefer the live repository, README, license, package metadata, MCP server implementation, bridge panel script, install script, and sample MCP config for current setup and operating details.

Features

  • Create After Effects compositions with custom name, size, frame rate, duration, and background color.
  • List compositions and inspect project or layer information.
  • Create text layers with position, font, size, color, alignment, start time, and duration.
  • Create rectangle, ellipse, polygon, and star shape layers with fill, stroke, size, position, and timing settings.
  • Create solid or adjustment layers.
  • Create camera and null layers for animation control.
  • Set layer position, scale, rotation, opacity, blend mode, 2D or 3D mode, enabled state, timing, and track matte settings.
  • Add keyframes and expressions to layer properties.
  • Apply effects and effect templates.
  • Duplicate or delete layers.
  • Create or modify masks with feather, expansion, and opacity settings.
  • Batch apply layer properties to multiple layers.
  • Read bridge results through the get-results tool.

Installation

Clone and build the server:

git clone https://github.com/Dakkshin/after-effects-mcp.git
cd after-effects-mcp
npm install
npm run build

Install the After Effects bridge panel:

npm run install-bridge

Configure an MCP client to run the built server:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "AfterEffectsMCP": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["ABSOLUTE_PATH_TO_AFTER_EFFECTS_MCP/build/index.js"]
    }
  }
}

Open After Effects, enable the required scripting preference only if you trust the bridge workflow, then open the mcp-bridge-auto.jsx panel from the Window menu.

Use Cases

  • Generate a new composition layout from a design prompt.
  • Add text, shape, solid, camera, and null layers for a motion-graphics scene.
  • Adjust layer timing, opacity, position, scale, rotation, blend mode, and 3D state.
  • Add expressions or keyframes for procedural animation.
  • Inspect composition and layer metadata before planning edits.
  • Apply a sequence of predefined layer changes across multiple selected or named layers.
  • Prototype animation ideas while keeping commands constrained to a known script list.

Safety and Privacy

After Effects MCP Server changes local creative project files through Adobe's scripting system. Back up projects before experimenting, keep the bridge panel closed when not in use, and review commands that delete layers, alter expressions, change masks, or batch-edit many layers.

Because the bridge uses local command and result files, recent prompts, composition names, layer metadata, and generated expressions may remain on disk and in MCP client logs. Treat project details and media names as client or studio data.

Duplicate Notes

Existing catalog entries cover design handoff, image generation, and other creative tools. This entry covers the separate Dakkshin/after-effects-mcp project for controlling Adobe After Effects through a Node MCP server and ExtendScript bridge panel.

#adobe#after-effects#video#animation#creative

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