Aftereffects MCP server

mcp-aftereffects

English | 日本語

An MCP server that enables AI to control Adobe After Effects.

You can connect MCP-compatible clients such as Claude Code or Claude Desktop to a running instance of After Effects, allowing the AI to handle everything from project inspection and editing to rendering.

There is no need to provide detailed instructions on how to operate After Effects. Simply explain what you want to achieve in natural language, and the AI will check the project status and perform the necessary operations.

Windows / macOS · After Effects 2024–2026 · Node.js 24+

[!CAUTION]

This tool directly manipulates After Effects projects via AI.

The AI can read project contents and modify compositions, layers, effects, keyframes, and more.

Additionally, information the AI reads from the project may be sent to the AI service you are using. This may include composition names, layer names, expressions, keyframes, footage file paths, etc.

If using this for projects under NDA or unreleased works, please check the data retention policy of the AI service you are using and the logs of your MCP client beforehand.

For first-time use, we recommend trying it with a backup or a test .aep file rather than a critical project.

Capabilities

With mcp-aftereffects, you can request the AI to perform After Effects tasks.

• Inspect project contents
• Investigate compositions and layers
• Edit layers and properties
• Add or modify keyframes
• Edit effects and masks
• Edit text and shapes
• Set expressions
• Save projects
• Create and restore project backups
• Render frames to preview changes

For example, you can give instructions like these:

"Import this Illustrator file and create some nice-looking text motion."

"Apply the revisions mentioned in this PDF."

"Point out any issues in this AEP."

Even for complex tasks, the AI can combine necessary operations while checking the project status.

Requirements

• Windows or macOS
• Adobe After Effects 2024 / 2025 / 2026
• Node.js 24 or higher
• MCP-compatible client (Claude Code, Claude Desktop, etc.)

No plugins or panels need to be installed within After Effects.

After Effects Settings

In After Effects Preferences, please turn ON the following:

Preferences → Scripting & Expressions → "Allow Scripts to Write Files and Access Network"

If this setting is OFF, the AI will not be able to perform operations correctly.

For macOS

Upon first use, macOS may request permission for the client to control After Effects.

If it is not permitted, go to:

System Settings → Privacy & Security → Automation

and allow your MCP client or terminal to control After Effects.

Quick Start

No installation is required on the After Effects side.

First, launch After Effects and open the project you wish to operate on.

Next, register mcp-aftereffects with your MCP client.

Claude Code

claude mcp add aftereffects -- npx -y @kumoproductions/mcp-aftereffects

Claude Desktop

Add the following to your MCP configuration file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "aftereffects": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@kumoproductions/mcp-aftereffects"]
    }
  }
}

Shortened. The full README is on GitHub.