# mcp-aftereffects

Connects an AI agent to an open Adobe After Effects project so it can inspect comps, edit layers, save work, and render frames.

- MCP server · `type=mcp` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, Zed, Gemini CLI · ★ 132
- Author: kumoproductions
- License: MIT · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/kumoproductions/mcp-aftereffects
- Updated: 2026-10-23
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/mcp-aftereffects

## What it does

mcp-aftereffects connects an MCP client to a running Adobe After Effects session. The agent can inspect project structure, compositions, and layers, then change properties, effects, masks, text, shapes, keyframes, and expressions. It can save projects, create backups, and render frames for review.

The setup requires Windows or macOS, Adobe After Effects 2024, 2025, or 2026, Node.js 24+, and an MCP-compatible client. Turn on `Preferences → Scripting & Expressions → Allow Scripts to Write Files and Access Network` in After Effects; with this setting off, operations will not work correctly. On macOS, the client or terminal may also need permission to control After Effects.

A read-only configuration allows project inspection and frame rendering without edits. Project details such as comp names, expressions, keyframes, and footage paths may be sent to the AI service in use, so NDA work calls for a check of that service’s retention policy and the MCP client logs.

## Requirements
- Needs: Node.js (commands run via npx)

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

**Platform CLI**
```bash
claude mcp add mcp-aftereffects -- npx -y @kumoproductions/mcp-aftereffects
```

### Codex

**Platform CLI**
```bash
codex mcp add mcp-aftereffects -- npx -y @kumoproductions/mcp-aftereffects
```

### Cursor

**Config file**
File `.cursor/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "mcp-aftereffects": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "@kumoproductions/mcp-aftereffects"
            ]
        }
    }
}
```

### GitHub Copilot

**Config file**
File `.vscode/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "servers": {
        "mcp-aftereffects": {
            "type": "stdio",
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "@kumoproductions/mcp-aftereffects"
            ]
        }
    }
}
```

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini mcp add mcp-aftereffects npx -y @kumoproductions/mcp-aftereffects
```

## When to use it
- inspect an After Effects project
- spot issues in compositions and layers
- change effects, masks, or keyframes
- save a project and create a backup
- render a frame after an edit

## Example prompts
- Inspect the open After Effects project and list problems in its compositions and layers.
- Change the text layer and add keyframes for a motion effect.
- Create a project backup, then render a frame to review the changes.

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