AE MCP Server
Server Configuration
Describes the environment variables required to run the server.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| AE_USE_FILE_BRIDGE | Yes | Enables the file-based communication bridge for reliability between the MCP server and After Effects. | true |
Instructions
Guidance the server publishes about itself, which clients place ahead of the tool catalog so the model reads it before choosing anything.
This server publishes no instructions, or was last inspected before Glama recorded them.
Capabilities
Features and capabilities supported by this server
Protocol revision2025-11-25
| Capability | Details |
|---|---|
| tools | {} |
| resources | {} |
Tools
Functions exposed to the LLM to take actions
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| pingA | Test connectivity with After Effects CEP extension |
| get_ae_versionB | Get After Effects version information |
| create_projectC | Create a new After Effects project |
| open_projectC | Open an existing After Effects project file |
| save_projectC | Save the current After Effects project |
| close_projectC | Close the current After Effects project |
| get_project_infoB | Get information about the current After Effects project |
| import_footageC | Import footage (video, image, or audio) into the project |
| create_compositionB | Create a new composition in the current project |
| modify_compositionC | Modify properties of an existing composition |
| duplicate_compositionC | Duplicate an existing composition |
| delete_compositionC | Delete a composition from the project |
| list_compositionsB | List all compositions in the current project |
| get_composition_infoC | Get detailed information about a specific composition |
| add_solid_layerA | Add a solid color layer to a composition. Note: New layers are added on TOP (Layer 1). For backgrounds, create them last or use reorder_layers. |
| add_text_layerC | Add a text layer to a composition |
| add_shape_layerC | Add a shape layer to a composition with customizable properties |
| modify_layer_propertiesC | Modify transform properties of a layer |
| duplicate_layerC | Duplicate a layer within a composition |
| delete_layerC | Delete a layer from a composition |
| reorder_layersC | Change the order of layers in a composition |
| set_keyframeC | Set a keyframe for a layer property |
| apply_effectC | Apply an effect to a layer |
| add_null_layerC | Add a null object layer to a composition |
| add_adjustment_layerC | Add an adjustment layer to a composition |
| add_camera_layerC | Add a camera layer to a composition |
| add_light_layerC | Add a light layer to a composition |
| set_layer_parentC | Set parent-child relationship between layers |
| set_layer_blend_modeC | Set the blending mode of a layer |
| set_track_matteC | Set track matte for a layer |
| set_layer_3dC | Enable or disable 3D for a layer |
| modify_layer_3d_propertiesC | Modify 3D properties of a layer |
| set_layer_qualityC | Set the quality/sampling of a layer |
| set_motion_blurC | Configure motion blur for a layer |
| set_layer_visibilityC | Control layer visibility settings |
| set_time_remappingC | Enable time remapping for a layer |
| animate_time_remapC | Set time remap keyframes for a layer (automatically enables time remapping) |
| get_layer_infoC | Get detailed information about a layer |
| set_expressionC | Set an expression on a layer property |
| get_expressionC | Get the expression from a layer property |
| remove_expressionC | Remove an expression from a layer property |
| enable_expressionC | Enable or disable an expression on a property |
| batch_set_expressionsC | Set multiple expressions at once for better performance |
| convert_keyframes_to_expressionC | Convert keyframed animation to an expression |
| add_expression_controlC | Add an expression control effect to a layer |
| link_properties_with_expressionC | Link two properties together using an expression |
| add_wiggle_expressionC | Add a wiggle expression to a property |
| add_loop_expressionC | Add a loop expression to a property |
| execute_scriptC | Execute a custom ExtendScript in After Effects |
| save_expression_presetC | Save an expression as a preset for reuse |
| apply_expression_presetC | Apply a saved expression preset to a property |
| add_maskC | Add a mask to a layer |
| add_rectangular_maskC | Add a rectangular mask to a layer |
| add_elliptical_maskC | Add an elliptical mask to a layer |
| modify_mask_pathC | Modify the path of an existing mask |
| set_mask_propertiesC | Set properties of a mask |
| delete_maskC | Delete a mask from a layer |
| get_mask_infoC | Get information about masks on a layer |
| animate_mask_pathC | Animate a mask path with keyframes |
| add_shape_pathC | Add a path to a shape layer |
| modify_shape_pathC | Modify an existing shape path |
| create_shape_from_pathC | Create a shape layer from a custom path |
| convert_mask_to_shapeC | Convert a mask to a shape layer path |
| add_text_layer_advancedC | Add a text layer with advanced formatting options |
| modify_text_propertiesC | Modify text formatting properties |
| add_text_animatorC | Add a text animator to animate individual characters |
| convert_text_to_shapeB | Convert text layer to shape layer (create outlines) |
| create_text_on_pathC | Create text that follows a path |
| set_keyframe_advancedC | Set a keyframe with interpolation options |
| apply_easy_easeC | Apply Easy Ease to selected keyframes |
| set_keyframe_velocityC | Set velocity (speed graph) for keyframes |
| set_temporal_easeC | Set temporal ease (bezier handles) for keyframes |
| set_spatial_tangentC | Set spatial tangents for position keyframes (motion path) |
| set_keyframe_interpolation_typeC | Set interpolation type for keyframes |
| create_animation_curveC | Create an animation with custom curve |
| copy_keyframesC | Copy keyframes from one property to another |
| offset_keyframesC | Offset keyframes in time |
| scale_keyframe_timingC | Scale the timing of keyframes (stretch or compress animation) |
| reverse_keyframesC | Reverse the order of keyframes |
| apply_animation_presetC | Apply predefined animation presets |
| add_to_render_queueC | Add a composition to the render queue |
| start_renderB | Start rendering all items in the render queue |
| pause_renderB | Pause the current render process |
| stop_renderB | Stop the current render process |
| get_render_queueB | Get the status of all items in the render queue |
| clear_render_queueC | Remove all items from the render queue |
| export_frameC | Export a single frame from a composition |
| batch_renderB | Add multiple compositions to render queue with same settings |
| batch_executeA | Execute multiple commands in parallel. Commands are sent to After Effects simultaneously for faster processing. |
| batch_keyframesB | Set multiple keyframes at once for better performance |
| batch_create_layersA | Create multiple layers at once. IMPORTANT: Layers are created in order - first item becomes Layer 1 (top), last item becomes bottom layer. Create backgrounds LAST! |
| batch_modify_layer_propertiesC | Modify properties of multiple layers at once for better performance |
Prompts
Interactive templates invoked by user choice
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
No prompts | |
Resources
Contextual data attached and managed by the client
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Current Project | Information about the currently open After Effects project |
| Compositions | List of all compositions in the current project |
| Render Queue | Current render queue status and items |
TDQS
Scored across 92 tools
Most tools have distinct purposes, but some overlap exists, such as 'add_text_layer' and 'add_text_layer_advanced' or 'set_keyframe' and 'set_keyframe_advanced', which could cause confusion. However, descriptions help clarify differences, and the majority target specific actions on distinct resources like layers, masks, or compositions.
Tool names follow a highly consistent verb_noun pattern throughout, such as 'add_adjustment_layer', 'create_composition', and 'modify_layer_properties'. There are no deviations in style, making it easy to predict and understand the purpose of each tool.
With 92 tools, the count is excessive for an MCP server, making it overwhelming and difficult to navigate. While After Effects is a complex application, this many tools suggests poor scoping and could lead to inefficiency in tool selection and usage.
The tool set provides comprehensive coverage for After Effects operations, including creation, modification, animation, rendering, and project management. There are no obvious gaps; it supports full CRUD/lifecycle workflows for compositions, layers, masks, and effects, ensuring agents can handle complex tasks without dead ends.