After Effects Mcp

ae-mcp

中文

ae-mcp 是一个后端无关的 MCP server，让 AI 客户端驱动 Adobe After Effects。v0.7.0 既支持外部 MCP 客户端，也提供一个完整的 CEP 面板产品：面板内可直接对话、审批工具调用、诊断连接，并一键安装本地依赖。

MCP client
  -> packages/core (ae_mcp, Python stdio MCP server, 31 ae_ tools)
  -> backend (packages/bridge, httpx)
  -> CEP panel Node host (plugin/host, Express, 127.0.0.1:11488)
  -> CSInterface.evalScript
  -> ExtendScript (plugin/jsx/runtime.jsx + jsx_templates/*.jsx)
  -> After Effects

packages/snapshot-mss 提供跨平台 mss 截图后端，用于 ae.snapshot / preview 相关能力。

v0.7.0 状态

• Python stdio MCP server 暴露 31 个 ae_ 工具，工具名使用下划线形式（例如 ae_ping、ae_previewFrame），内部仍映射到 ae.* verbs。
• CEP 面板不再只是连接配置器：它包含内嵌 AI 对话、composer 便捷选择条、四档审批、首跑向导、活动流、kill switch 和连接诊断。
• 内嵌后端有三类：Claude 订阅（默认；面板 spawn 系统 Node 跑 Claude Agent SDK sidecar，复用 claude 登录态，零 key / 零 token 落盘）、BYOK（用户自己的 Anthropic API key agent loop）、Codex（spawn codex app-server，复用 Codex 订阅）。
• OpenCode 在 v0.7.0 是外接 MCP 客户端，不是内嵌后端；内嵌 OpenCode 计划延后到 v0.7.1。
• 外部客户端可通过面板生成的 MCP config 接入：Claude Desktop、Claude Code、Cursor、OpenCode、OpenClaw、AstrBot、Gemini Antigravity 等。

OpenClaw、AstrBot 等 IM-bot 框架常驻或 Docker 化时，未必和 After Effects 在同一台机器。ae-mcp 默认通过 127.0.0.1:11488 打到 AE 面板，所以外接客户端必须与 AE 同机，或能访问该端口。

面板能力

• 内嵌聊天：Claude 订阅 / BYOK / Codex。
• Composer 选择条：模型（带成本标识，会话内切换不清空对话）、思考深度（后端原生 effort 档位）、快速模式、审批档。
• 审批四档：只读、手动、自动、免审。审批语义由工具 annotations 驱动，跨后端一致。
• 首跑向导：检测并安装 uv、Node、Claude CLI、ae-mcp；安装命令会先原文展示；登录会拉起可见终端；安装后不需要重启 AE。
• 活动流和 kill switch：可熔断所有 AI 操作。
• 连接诊断：检查 host、token、Python 客户端信号、AE project、ExtendScript ping，并检测 uv / node / claude。

Tool Surface

| 分类 | Tools | |---|---| | Project | ae_init, ae_overview, ae_layers, ae_readProps, ae_searchProject | | Mutation | ae_exec, ae_applyEffect, ae_createLayer, ae_setProperty, ae_moveLayer, ae_selectLayers, ae_setTime | | Read-typed | ae_getTime, ae_getProperties, ae_scanPropertyTree, ae_inspectPropertyCapabilities, ae_getExpressions, ae_validateExpressions, ae_getKeyframes | | Preview / capture | ae_previewFrame, ae_snapshot | | Rigging | ae_createRig | | Skill | ae_skillList, ae_skillCreate, ae_skillEdit, ae_skillDelete, ae_skillUse | | Checkpoint | ae_checkpoint, ae_revert | | Diagnostic | ae_ping, ae_status |

表达式工作流建议先跑 ae_validateExpressions，再做视觉检查。大改前建议使用 ae_checkpoint 或在 ae_exec 上传 checkpoint_label。

安装

ae-mcp 当前不在 PyPI。不要使用公共 PyPI 上的同名包作为安装来源。

开发 checkout 中安装 Python 三件套：

uv tool install --from packages/core ae-mcp --with packages/bridge --with packages/snapshot-mss

终端用户从发布 tag 安装：

uv tool install --from git+https://github.com/JUNKDOGE-JOE/after-effects-mcp@v0.8.1#subdirectory=packages/core ae-mcp --with git+https://github.com/JUNKDOGE-JOE/after-effects-mcp@v0.8.1#subdirectory=packages/bridge --with git+https://github.com/JUNKDOGE-JOE/after-effects-mcp@v0.8.1#subdirectory=packages/snapshot-mss

面板安装使用 ZXP 包：推荐 aescripts ZXP Installer，也可用 ExMan Cmd。安装后打开 Window -> Extensions -> ae-mcp。

内嵌后端额外要求：

• Claude 订阅：本机 Node >= 18，已安装并登录 Claude Code（claude）。
• BYOK：Anthropic API key。
• Codex：已安装并登录 Codex CLI（codex login）。

外部 MCP 客户端配置示例：

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ae": {
      "command": "ae-mcp",
      "env": {
        "AE_MCP_BACKEND": "ae-mcp",
        "AE_MCP_PLUGIN_URL": "http://127.0.0.1:11488"
      }
    }
  }
}

开发

仓库开发环境：

uv sync --all-packages --group dev
cd plugin\host
npm ci
cd ..\sidecar
npm ci
cd ..\panel
npm ci
npm run build
cd ..\..
.\scripts\install-plugin-dev.ps1

macOS 开发脚本存在，但 v0.7.0 主要验证面仍以 Windows + AE live 为准。

测试

非 live 测试：

uv run pytest

live 测试需要 AE 打开且 ae-mcp 面板运行：

$env:AE_MCP_LIVE_TESTS = "1"
$env:AE_MCP_BACKEND = "ae-mcp"
$env:AE_MCP_PLUGIN_URL = "http://127.0.0.1:11488"
uv run pytest packages/core/tests/live -o addopts='' -vv

模型矩阵 smoke（Claude sidecar + Codex app-server）：

node scripts/live-model-matrix.mjs

打包

发布 ZXP 需要 Adobe ZXPSignCmd 和证书密码：

.\scripts\package-zxp.ps1 -ZxpSignCmd C:\Tools\ZXPSignCmd.exe -CertPassword 

脚本会 staging plugin/、移除开发调试文件和 panel 源目录、安装 host/sidecar production dependencies、签名输出 release/ae-mcp-panel.zxp。完整发布流程见 [docs/RELEASE.md](docs/RELEASE.md)。

实现说明

ae-mcp 是独立实现，不包含其他产品的代码或资源文件。

第三方组件：

• plugin/client/CSInterface.js 是 Adobe CEP CSInterface v11，文件内保留 Adobe 原始许可声明。
• ae-mcp-snapshot-mss 使用 mss 和 Pillow 做屏幕截图。
• Python bridge 使用 httpx；CEP host 使用 Express；面板 UI 使用 React；Claude sidecar 使用 Claude Agent SDK。

开源协议

ae-mcp 项目代码使用 MIT License，见 [LICENSE](LICENSE)。

带有上游许可声明的文件，例如 Adobe CSInterface.js，按其文件内许可声明执行。

English

ae-mcp is a backend-agnostic MCP server for driving Adobe After Effects from AI clients. In v0.7.0 it supports both external MCP clients and a full CEP panel product: built-in chat, tool approvals, connection diagnostics, and one-click local setup.

MCP client
  -> packages/core (ae_mcp, Python stdio MCP server, 31 ae_ tools)
  -> backend (packages/bridge, httpx)
  -> CEP panel Node host (plugin/host, Express, 127.0.0.1:11488)
  -> CSInterface.evalScript
  -> ExtendScript (plugin/jsx/runtime.jsx + jsx_templates/*.jsx)
  -> After Effects

packages/snapshot-mss provides the cross-platform mss screenshot backend used by ae.snapshot / preview-related features.

v0.7.0 Status

• The Python stdio MCP server exposes 31 ae_ tools. MCP tool names use underscores, such as ae_ping and ae_previewFrame; internally they still map to ae.* verbs.
• The CEP panel is no longer just a connection configurator. It includes built-in AI chat, composer controls, four approval modes, a first-run wizard, an activity stream, a kill switch, and connection diagnostics.
• Embedded backends: Claude subscription (default; the panel spawns system Node to run a Claude Agent SDK sidecar, reusing the local claude login with no key/token stored), BYOK (Anthropic API key agent loop), and Codex (spawns codex app-server, reusing the Codex subscription).
• OpenCode is an external MCP client in v0.7.0, not an embedded backend. Embedded OpenCode is deferred to v0.7.1.
• External clients can connect through the panel-generated MCP config: Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, OpenCode, OpenClaw, AstrBot, Gemini Antigravity, and similar clients.

Long-running or Dockerized IM-bot frameworks such as OpenClaw and AstrBot may not run on the same machine as After Effects. ae-mcp reaches AE through 127.0.0.1:11488, so the external client must run on the AE machine or otherwise be able to reach that port.

Panel Features

• Built-in chat: Claude subscription / BYOK / Codex.
• Composer controls: model with cost badges, per-session model switching without clearing the conversation, native reasoning effort, fast mode, and approval mode.
• Approval modes: read-only, manual, auto, bypass. Tool annotations drive consistent behavior across backends.
• First-run wizard: detects and installs uv, Node, Claude CLI, and ae-mcp; shows commands verbatim before running; opens visible login terminals; no AE restart required after Python-side install.
• Activity stream and kill switch for stopping all AI operations.
• Diagnostics for host, token, Python client signal, AE project, ExtendScript ping, plus uv / node / claude detection.

Tool Surface

| Category | Tools | |---|---| | Project | ae_init, ae_overview, ae_layers, ae_readProps, ae_searchProject | | Mutation | ae_exec, ae_applyEffect, ae_createLayer, ae_setProperty, ae_moveLayer, ae_selectLayers, ae_setTime | | Read-typed | ae_getTime, ae_getProperties, ae_scanPropertyTree, ae_inspectPropertyCapabilities, ae_getExpressions, ae_validateExpressions, ae_getKeyframes | | Preview / capture | ae_previewFrame, ae_snapshot | | Rigging | ae_createRig | | Skill | ae_skillList, ae_skillCreate, ae_skillEdit, ae_skillDelete, ae_skillUse | | Checkpoint | ae_checkpoint, ae_revert | | Diagnostic | ae_ping, ae_status |

Expression workflows should run ae_validateExpressions before visual review. For risky edits, use ae_checkpoint or pass checkpoint_label to ae_exec.

Install

ae-mcp is not on PyPI. Do not use the public PyPI name as the install source.

Install the three Python packages from a development checkout:

uv tool install --from packages/core ae-mcp --with packages/bridge --with packages/snapshot-mss

End users install from the release tag:

uv tool install --from git+https://github.com/JUNKDOGE-JOE/after-effects-mcp@v0.8.1#subdirectory=packages/core ae-mcp --with git+https://github.com/JUNKDOGE-JOE/after-effects-mcp@v0.8.1#subdirectory=packages/bridge --with git+https://github.com/JUNKDOGE-JOE/after-effects-mcp@v0.8.1#subdirectory=packages/snapshot-mss

Install the panel from the ZXP package with aescripts ZXP Installer or ExMan Cmd. Then open Window -> Extensions -> ae-mcp.

Embedded backend requirements:

• Claude subscription: local Node >= 18 and a logged-in Claude Code CLI (claude).
• BYOK: an Anthropic API key.
• Codex: logged-in Codex CLI (codex login).

External MCP client config:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ae": {
      "command": "ae-mcp",
      "env": {
        "AE_MCP_BACKEND": "ae-mcp",
        "AE_MCP_PLUGIN_URL": "http://127.0.0.1:11488"
      }
    }
  }
}

Development

Repository development setup:

uv sync --all-packages --group dev
cd plugin\host
npm ci
cd ..\sidecar
npm ci
cd ..\panel
npm ci
npm run build
cd ..\..
.\scripts\install-plugin-dev.ps1

The macOS development script exists, but v0.7.0 validation is primarily Windows + AE live.

Test

Non-live:

uv run pytest

Live, with AE open and the ae-mcp panel running:

$env:AE_MCP_LIVE_TESTS = "1"
$env:AE_MCP_BACKEND = "ae-mcp"
$env:AE_MCP_PLUGIN_URL = "http://127.0.0.1:11488"
uv run pytest packages/core/tests/live -o addopts='' -vv

Model-matrix smoke for Claude sidecar + Codex app-server:

node scripts/live-model-matrix.mjs

Package

Packaging a release ZXP requires Adobe ZXPSignCmd and a certificate password:

.\scripts\package-zxp.ps1 -ZxpSignCmd C:\Tools\ZXPSignCmd.exe -CertPassword 

The script stages plugin/, strips development debug files and panel source, installs host/sidecar production dependencies, signs the package, and writes release/ae-mcp-panel.zxp. See [docs/RELEASE.md](docs/RELEASE.md) for the full release checklist.

Implementation Notes

ae-mcp is an independent implementation. It does not include code or asset files from other products.

Third-party components:

• plugin/client/CSInterface.js is Adobe CEP CSInterface v11 and retains Adobe's original license notice in that file.
• ae-mcp-snapshot-mss uses mss and Pillow for screen capture.
• The Python bridge uses httpx; the CEP host uses Express; the panel UI uses React; the Claude sidecar uses the Claude Agent SDK.

License

ae-mcp project code is MIT licensed. See [LICENSE](LICENSE).

Files carrying their own upstream license notices, such as Adobe CSInterface.js, are governed by those notices.

Source & license

This open-source MCP server is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

• Author: JUNKDOGE-JOE
• Source: JUNKDOGE-JOE/after-effects-mcp
• License: MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.