After Effects MCP Server
An MCP server for Adobe After Effects: build compositions, layers, keyframes and expressions through an agent
Medium risk
We rate an entry medium when the tool runs code, makes network calls or reads project files. Check what exactly it does before installing.
Why this level
- Runs scripts inside After Effects on your machine
- Changes your projects and compositions
Install
Manual install
git clone https://github.com/Dakkshin/after-effects-mcp.git
cd after-effects-mcp
npm install
npm run build
npm run install-bridgeBuild the project and install the bridge panel into After Effects.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
The server drives Adobe After Effects through ExtendScript and a bridge panel installed into the app. The agent creates compositions with a chosen size, frame rate and duration, adds text, shape, solid layers, cameras and null objects, and edits position, scale, rotation, opacity and blend modes. It can set keyframes, apply expressions and push properties to several layers at once. The bridge panel in After Effects polls a command queue and runs the requests.
Who it is for. For motion designers and editors who want to automate After Effects routines through an agent.
Good fit when
- You need to build a composition and layers from a description
- You need to place keyframes or expressions by rules
- You need to apply the same properties to many layers
Not a fit when
- You do not have After Effects 2022 or newer installed
- You cannot open the bridge panel and enable auto-run of commands
Example request
Create a 1920 by 1080 composition at 30 fps, add a text layer and animate its opacityLimitations
You need After Effects 2022 or newer and Node.js. The server installs from source: clone, npm install, build and install the panel via npm run install-bridge. Commands run only while the mcp-bridge-auto panel is open in After Effects with auto-run enabled.
How to disable. Remove the server entry from your MCP client config and close or remove the bridge panel in After Effects.
MCP
- Transport
- stdio
- Authentication
- not required
Security check
- Runs scripts inside After Effects on your machine
- Changes your projects and compositions
README in short
The README lists layer and animation features: compositions, text, shapes, solids, cameras, null objects, keyframes and expressions. Setup is from source, with npm run install-bridge copying scripts into After Effects. Control works while the mcp-bridge-auto panel is open with auto-run on. A table of available MCP tools is included. MIT licensed.
FAQ
How does the server talk to After Effects?
Through an ExtendScript bridge panel. It polls a command queue and runs the requests inside the app.
Is there a ready npx package?
The README installs from source: clone, build and run node build/index.js.
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