ae-mcp: MCP for Adobe After Effects
ae-mcp
An After Effects panel with an MCP server: an agent reads the project, builds animations, checks frames and saves scripts
- 96 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- MIT
Broad access
Why this level
- The agent runs ExtendScript and native code inside an After Effects project and can change or delete layers and compositions
- The chat working directory and diagnostic export sit in the project folder
Install
- Works in
Manual install
claude mcp add --transport http ae http://127.0.0.1:11488/mcpInstall the release ZXP first and open the ae-mcp panel in After Effects.
Access and checks
How we reviewBroad accessThe tool can change data, run commands or handle secrets.
- The agent runs ExtendScript and native code inside an After Effects project and can change or delete layers and compositions
- The chat working directory and diagnostic export sit in the project folder
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
ae-mcp is an open-source CEP extension that connects a running After Effects project to MCP. A chat with Claude, Codex or OpenCode is built into the panel, and an external MCP client connects at `http://127.0.0.1:11488/mcp`. The panel itself is the server, so no separate server process is needed. The agent reads projects, compositions, layers, properties and keyframes with pagination, sorting and filters, runs ExtendScript for general operations, and uses native AEGP tools for exact time and object locators. Composition frames export to PNG, can be sampled in a time grid and compared pixel by pixel. Checkpoints of saved projects and a `recoveryId` let the agent inspect a failed operation and restore state. Successful scripts go to a tool library where they can be pinned, archived, exported and imported. The panel offers action approvals, an activity timeline, conversation history and a diagnostic export. There are 16 public tools; the last three, `ae_instances`, `ae_workspace` and `ae_readJob`, serve multiple After Effects instances.
Who it is for. Motion designers and editors on After Effects who want to hand an agent the building of compositions, keyframes and expressions and verify results frame by frame.
Good fit when
- You want to build a composition with text and a fade-in, then check the keyframes
- You need to compare two animation variants pixel by pixel across frames
- The agent made a mistake and you need to restore the project to a checkpoint
- You want to save a repeated operation as a library tool
- You work with several open After Effects projects and need routing for each
Not a fit when
- After Effects is not installed: the server runs only together with a live panel
- The client is on a different machine: the default address listens on loopback only
- You need a final render: the README says rendering must run separately, outside an undo group
- You need Mac scenarios with background workers: they remain unverified
Example request
Create a composition with the text Hello AE that fades in and moves up to the center over one second. Read back the keyframes and check the animation with a six-frame preview.MCP
- Transport
- http, stdio
- Authentication
- not required
Limitations
The extension installs from the release ZXP file and works only while the `Window > Extensions > ae-mcp` panel is open; closing the panel disconnects MCP. The `ae_nativeExec` tool needs a separate native plug-in: an `.aex` file for Windows x64 or a `.plugin` for macOS arm64 (macOS 14 or later). The ZXP weighs about 60 MB and bundles the OpenCode runtime for Windows; on macOS OpenCode comes from PATH. The author notes that worker scenarios on Mac are unverified. Scripts run inside the project, so try them on a test copy and turn on panel approvals before the first edits.
How to disable. Close the ae-mcp panel and remove the extension from the Adobe extension manager. Delete the `ae` entry from the client configuration, for example with `claude mcp remove ae`.
FAQ
How do I connect ae-mcp to Claude Code?
Install the release ZXP, open the ae-mcp panel in After Effects and run `claude mcp add --transport http ae http://127.0.0.1:11488/mcp`. Then call `ae_status` to verify the connection.
Does the panel need to stay open?
Yes. The panel is the MCP server; closing it disconnects the client, and After Effects does not reopen automatically.
Can a failed edit be rolled back?
Yes. The tool creates checkpoints of saved projects and captures scripts that failed. With a `recoveryId` the project can be inspected, corrected or restored.
What is the native plug-in for?
For the `ae_nativeExec` tool, which works through AEGP and sets exact time and objects. It installs separately from the ZXP: `.aex` for Windows x64 and `.plugin` for macOS arm64.
Does it work with several projects?
Yes, since version 0.11. `ae_instances` discovers and launches instances, `ae_workspace` binds a project, and the `context_id` goes into later calls.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
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Comparison with similar tools
Cards that share the main search query, and how they differ.
| Tool | Official | Authentication | Repository stars | Main difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ae-mcp: MCP for Adobe After Effects (this card) | no | not required | 96 | |
| After Effects MCP Server | no | not required | 888 | an After Effects MCP server without a chat panel or a tool library |
| MCP for Adobe Premiere Pro: editing through an agent | no | not required | 525 | MCP for editing in Premiere Pro |
README in short
The README starts with a ready prompt for automatic installation into any client. It then describes the capabilities, a sample task with screenshots, the 0.11.x release notes and the install steps. The connection section shows the Streamable HTTP address and the stdio connector, and a diagram explains the CEP node host, ExtendScript, AEGP and read-only workers.