How can an AI agent control After Effects?

An MCP-compatible AI agent can use DCC-MCP to inspect projects and automate compositions, layers, keyframes, effects, and previews. The agent selects the correct application instance or integration, discovers available tools, and reads their parameter definitions before acting and checking the result. These typed tools declare their inputs, outputs, and parameter types.

After Effects MCP and After Effects CLI

The After Effects MCP endpoint and After Effects CLI workflow share the same DCC-MCP adapter and tool catalog. Use dcc-mcp-cli with --dcc-type aftereffects to limit tool searches to After Effects. Tools declare their inputs, outputs, and parameter types so arguments can be checked before a call.

dcc-mcp-cli search --query "inventory compositions and source footage" --dcc-type aftereffects

What can an AI agent do in After Effects?

• inventory compositions and source footage.
• build a bounded motion-graphics treatment.
• validate frame range, missing media, and preview output.

Capabilities change with the adapter version and loaded Skills. Search and describe tools first instead of guessing current tool names from this page.

Safe operating flow

1. Install and follow the public dcc-mcp Skill.
2. Inspect the existing CLI, adapter, and live hosts; obtain consent before installing software or changing system state.
3. Use health, dcc-types, and list to verify the Gateway and target instance.
4. Search and describe tools for the actual After Effects task, then follow every returned next_step.
5. Make one bounded change and verify it through host state, files, previews, logs, or rendered output.

dcc-mcp-cli health
dcc-mcp-cli dcc-types
dcc-mcp-cli list

Copyable prompt

Use the dcc-mcp Skill to connect to my After Effects session. Inspect the existing CLI, adapter, and live instance first; ask before installing software or changing system state. Search for and describe typed tools related to "build a bounded motion-graphics treatment", then follow every returned next_step. Do not delete, overwrite, or publish existing work. Make the smallest verifiable change, then check the result against this requirement: "validate frame range, missing media, and preview output". Report the instance, tool, result, and evidence path.

Current availability and official source

The current catalog lists aftereffects as the adapter identifier. Catalog definitions do not establish host acceptance; run dcc-mcp-cli dcc-types, then discover and describe the live instance's tools before operating.

• After Effects adapter repository: source of truth for installation, compatibility, host-specific capabilities, and troubleshooting.
• All AI + DCC control guides: return to every public application and pipeline integration.
• Agent workflow: shared discovery, call, validation, and diagnostic steps.

This page describes the shared Agent workflow. Each integration's repository owns its installation, API, and compatibility details.