aftereffects-mcp

 **Brought to you by [Brandkick](https://brandkick.pl)** - We grow brands like they're our own. --- # After Effects MCP Server A Model Context Protocol server for Adobe After Effects. Enables AI assistants to control After Effects through a WebSocket-based CEP panel. ## Requirements - Adobe After Effects 2021+ (versions 18.x - 26.x) - Node.js 18+ - pnpm ## Installation ```bash git clone https://github.com/Brandkick/after-effects-mcp.git cd after-effects-mcp pnpm install just setup ``` ## Configuration Add to Claude Code config (`~/.claude.json`): ```json { "mcpServers": { "aftereffects": { "command": "node", "args": ["/path/to/after-effects-mcp/build/index.js"] } } } ``` ## Usage 1. Claude Code starts the MCP server automatically 2. Open After Effects 3. Open the panel: Window > Extensions > MCP Bridge ## Setup: JPEG Output Template For `exportCompFrame` to work, create a JPEG output template in After Effects: 1. Create any composition 2. File > Export > Add to Render Queue 3. Click "Output Module" settings 4. Set Format to "JPEG Sequence" 5. Set Quality to 50-70% (faster previews, smaller files) 6. Optionally resize: check "Resize" and set to 50% or a fixed size like 960x540 7. Click the template dropdown (top of dialog) 8. Select "Save As New Template..." 9. Name it exactly: `JPEG Sequence` 10. Click OK This only needs to be done once per After Effects installation. ## MCP Tools | Tool | Description | | -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- | | `run-script` | Execute any command (see Commands below) | | `getHelp` | List all available commands | | `createComposition` | Create a new composition | | `setLayerKeyframe` | Set a single keyframe | | `setLayerKeyframes` | Set multiple keyframes (batch) | | `setLayerExpression` | Apply expressions to properties | | `setEffectKeyframes` | Animate effect properties (batch) | | `importFootage` | Import files into project | | `addToRenderQueue` | Queue composition for render | | `exportCompFrame` | Export single frame as PNG for visual verification | ## Commands All commands can be called via `run-script`. Use `getHelp` to see full documentation. ### Project - `getProjectInfo`, `newProject`, `saveProject`, `saveProjectAs`, `closeProject` - `createFolder`, `moveProjectItem`, `deleteProjectItem` - `importFootage`, `importPlaceholder`, `replaceFootage` ### Composition - `listCompositions`, `getActiveComposition`, `createComposition` - `setCompSettings` - Modify duration, work area, frame rate, motion blur ### Layers - `createTextLayer`, `createShapeLayer`, `createSolidLayer`, `addLayerToComp` - `getLayerInfo`, `setLayerProperties` - Name, transform, timing - `setLayerFlags` - Visibility, solo, shy, locked, motion blur, 3D - `deleteLayer`, `duplicateLayer`, `reorderLayer`, `precomposeLayer` - `setParentLayer`, `setTrackMatte` - `setTextProperties` - Font, size, color, justification ### Animation - `setLayerKeyframe`, `setLayerKeyframes` (batch) - `setLayerExpression` - `getKeyframes`, `deleteKeyframe`, `deleteKeyframes` (batch) - `setKeyframeEasing`, `setKeyframesEasing` (batch) - `copyKeyframes` ### Effects - `applyEffect`, `applyEffectTemplate` - `listEffects`, `listAvailableEffects`, `getEffectProperties` - `setEffectKeyframe`, `setEffectKeyframes` (batch) ### Time & Markers - `setLayerTime` - In/out point, start time, stretch - `enableTimeRemapping`, `setTimeRemap` - `addMarker`, `getMarkers`, `removeMarker` ### Camera & 3D - `createCamera`, `createLight` - `setCameraProperties`, `setLightProperties` - `set3DLayer`, `setMaterialOptions` ### Masks & Shapes - `addMask`, `setMaskPath`, `setMaskProperties`, `deleteMask` - `addShapePath`, `setShapePathVertices`, `addShapeModifier` ### Render - `addToRenderQueue`, `renderQueue`, `queueInAME` - `getRenderQueueStatus`, `clearRenderQueue` - `exportCompFrame` - Visual verification ### Utility - `getSelection`, `setSelection` - `beginUndoGroup`, `endUndoGroup`, `getUndoGroupStatus` - `getPropertyInfo`, `listFonts` ## MCP Resources | Resource | Description | | ------------------------------- | ---------------------------------- | | `aftereffects://compositions` | List all compositions | | `aftereffects://workflow-guide` | Visual verification workflow guide | ## Development ```bash just setup # Build and install CEP panel with debug mode just build # Build only just start # Start MCP server (for testing) just clean # Remove build directory ``` ## Architecture ``` Claude Code <--stdio--> MCP Server <--WebSocket:8765--> CEP Panel <--CSInterface--> ExtendScript ``` See [ARCHITECTURE.md](ARCHITECTURE.md) for design principles. ## Project Structure ``` after-effects-mcp/ ├── src/ │ ├── index.ts # MCP server, tool definitions │ ├── websocket-server.ts # WebSocket server │ ├── logger.ts # Logging utility │ ├── shared/ │ │ ├── commands.ts # Command registry (single source of truth) │ │ └── config.ts # Configuration and timeouts │ └── cep/ # CEP extension │ ├── CSXS/manifest.xml │ ├── index.html │ ├── js/main.js # WebSocket client │ └── jsx/modules/ # ExtendScript (modular) │ ├── 00-polyfills.jsx │ ├── 01-helpers.jsx │ ├── 10-project.jsx │ ├── 11-layer.jsx │ ├── 12-keyframe.jsx │ ├── 13-time.jsx │ ├── 14-render.jsx │ ├── 15-camera.jsx │ ├── 16-mask.jsx │ ├── 17-shape.jsx │ ├── 18-selection.jsx │ ├── 19-discovery.jsx │ └── 99-dispatcher.jsx ├── scripts/ │ ├── install-cep.js │ ├── build-jsx.ts # Concatenates JSX modules │ └── generate-cep-config.ts ├── tests/ ├── justfile └── package.json ``` ## License MIT