After Effects MCP Server — Claude Code MCP server: setup
Connects Adobe After Effects to an MCP client for project, composition, layer, animation and render control. Useful when an agent must edit AE work.
claude mcp add --env AFTEREFFECTS_APP_NAME=<AFTEREFFECTS_APP_NAME> --env AFTEREFFECTS_ALLOWED_DIRS=<AFTEREFFECTS_ALLOWED_DIRS> --env AFTEREFFECTS_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS=<AFTEREFFECTS_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS> --transport stdio aftereffects -- npx -y adobe-mcp-aftereffectsWhat After Effects MCP Server does
After Effects MCP Server lets an MCP client control Adobe After Effects through its ExtendScript interface. The available operations cover project items and footage, composition setup, layer creation and transforms, text, masks, effects, expressions, keyframes, markers and Render Queue tasks.
The server runs on the same computer as After Effects. It needs After Effects 2023 or newer plus Node.js 18 or newer. File access is limited to the home directory or paths listed in AFTEREFFECTS_ALLOWED_DIRS. After Effects must allow scripts to write files and use the network; macOS also asks for automation permission on the first request.
What it helps with
- create compositions from defined settings
- add and arrange text, shape, camera or light layers
- edit keyframes, expressions and layer timing
- apply effects and change their controls
- save a frame or manage a render task
Example prompts for the agent
- Create a composition with the requested size and duration, then add a text layer.
- Find the named layers, change their position, and animate the change with keyframes.
- Inspect the project for missing fonts and prepare the composition for rendering.
How to install After Effects MCP Server
Platform CLI
claude mcp add --env AFTEREFFECTS_APP_NAME=<AFTEREFFECTS_APP_NAME> --env AFTEREFFECTS_ALLOWED_DIRS=<AFTEREFFECTS_ALLOWED_DIRS> --env AFTEREFFECTS_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS=<AFTEREFFECTS_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS> --transport stdio aftereffects -- npx -y adobe-mcp-aftereffectsReplace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
codex mcp add aftereffects --env AFTEREFFECTS_APP_NAME=<AFTEREFFECTS_APP_NAME> --env AFTEREFFECTS_ALLOWED_DIRS=<AFTEREFFECTS_ALLOWED_DIRS> --env AFTEREFFECTS_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS=<AFTEREFFECTS_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS> -- npx -y adobe-mcp-aftereffectsReplace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"aftereffects": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"adobe-mcp-aftereffects"
],
"env": {
"AFTEREFFECTS_APP_NAME": "<AFTEREFFECTS_APP_NAME>",
"AFTEREFFECTS_ALLOWED_DIRS": "<AFTEREFFECTS_ALLOWED_DIRS>",
"AFTEREFFECTS_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS": "<AFTEREFFECTS_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"servers": {
"aftereffects": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"adobe-mcp-aftereffects"
],
"env": {
"AFTEREFFECTS_APP_NAME": "<AFTEREFFECTS_APP_NAME>",
"AFTEREFFECTS_ALLOWED_DIRS": "<AFTEREFFECTS_ALLOWED_DIRS>",
"AFTEREFFECTS_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS": "<AFTEREFFECTS_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
gemini mcp add -e AFTEREFFECTS_APP_NAME=<AFTEREFFECTS_APP_NAME> -e AFTEREFFECTS_ALLOWED_DIRS=<AFTEREFFECTS_ALLOWED_DIRS> -e AFTEREFFECTS_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS=<AFTEREFFECTS_SCRIPT_TIMEOUT_MS> aftereffects npx -y adobe-mcp-aftereffectsReplace <…> with your own values
Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to add an MCP server to Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, VS Code, Gemini CLI and more
Questions about After Effects MCP Server
How do I install After Effects MCP Server in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add adobe-mcp-aftereffects -- npx -y adobe-mcp-aftereffects.
What does After Effects MCP Server do?
It exposes Adobe After Effects controls to an MCP client, including projects, compositions, layers, text, effects, animation, masks and rendering through ExtendScript.
What does the server require?
Use After Effects 2023 or newer and Node.js 18 or newer. Files must be under the home directory or a path allowed by AFTEREFFECTS_ALLOWED_DIRS.
