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mcp-aftereffects

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Import project JSON

ae_project_import_json
Destructive

Rebuild an After Effects project from a JSON export: append or clear first, with optional dry-run validation before applying changes.

Instructions

Rebuild the project from JSON (produced by ae_project_export_json). Supports clearFirst, dryRun (validate-only), skipValidation.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
jsonNoInline JSON document (object, not string). Mutually exclusive with `inPath`.
dryRunNoIf true, validate the document and return a plan without touching AE. Useful for debugging malformed exports.
inPathNoAbsolute path to a JSON document produced by ae_project_export_json. Mutually exclusive with `json`.
instanceNoAfter Effects instance to address for this call, when several are running (AfterFX.exe -m): an instance id (its AE_MCP_INSTANCE at launch, or the `name` given to instance.start) or the name of the project file it has open. Omit to use this server's default (AE_MCP_INSTANCE, else the single live instance). ae_context and ae_do instance.list show what is live.
clearFirstNoRemove all existing items from the current project before importing. Default: false (appends).
skipValidationNoSkip Node-side schema validation. Only use if you trust the input and want to hand broken data to AE for diagnosis.

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. Changed1 schema field changedv0.3.1
    • addedInput schema / properties / instance
      Added value: +{
+  "description": "After Effects instance to address for this call, when several are running (AfterFX.exe -m): an instance id (its AE_MCP_INSTANCE at launch, or the `name` given to instance.start) or the name of the project file it has open. Omit to use this server's default (AE_MCP_INSTANCE, else the single live instance). ae_context and ae_do instance.list show what is live.",
+  "type": "string"
+}
  2. First observedv0.1.0

TDQS

A3.5/5.0
Behavior2/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Annotations already declare destructiveHint=true, and the schema fully documents clearFirst's destructive behavior and skipValidation's risk. The description's recitation of parameter names adds no behavioral context beyond the structured data, and says nothing about auth, instance defaults, or failure semantics.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Front-loads the core action and provenance in one clause, then lists flags tersely. Slightly fragmentary ('Supports ...'), but nothing wasted.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a six-parameter mutation tool with no output schema, the description plus the fully-covered schema and the destructiveHint annotation cover what an agent needs to invoke it. It stops short of describing return/plan output or rollback behavior after a destructive clearFirst import.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 100%, so all six parameters (including the mutually-exclusive json/inPath pair and the instance addressing) are already fully documented in the schema. The description only restates three flag names, adding no meaning beyond 'dryRun (validate-only)' which the schema itself states.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

States a specific verb+resource ('Rebuild the project from JSON') and explicitly identifies the producing sibling (ae_project_export_json), which no sibling tool list otherwise resolves. An agent can tell this is the inverse of the export tool.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The pairing with ae_project_export_json implies when to reach for this (round-tripping an export), and 'dryRun (validate-only)' hints at a pre-flight use. But there is no explicit when-not or guidance on choosing between inline `json` vs `inPath`, leaving usage to inference.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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