// SCAN REPORT

Ae

226 tools. 180 can modify or destroy data without limits.

21 destructive tools with no built-in limits. Policy required.

Last updated: 4 Sept 2026

180 can modify or destroy data

46 read-only

226 tools total

Community server · catalogue entry checked 04/09/2026 · full schemas captured for 220 of 226 tools

How to control Ae ↓

TOOL MAP

What Ae exposes to your agents

Read (46) Write / Execute (159) Destructive / Financial (21)

Running more than one server? Check your whole stack →

MOST DANGEROUS TOOLS

Critical Risk

The most dangerous Ae tools

Destructive · Critical clear_render_queue Remove all items from the After Effects render queue. Destructive · High cancel_render Stop/cancel any currently running render in After Effects. Destructive · High clear_guides Remove all guides from a composition. Destructive · High clear_proxy Clear a footage item's proxy.

180 of Ae's 226 tools can modify, destroy, or commit something on every call — and an agent calls them with no built-in limits.

POLICY

How to control Ae

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Ae, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. These are the rules we recommend:

Deny destructive operations

{
  "cancel_render": {
    "deny_if": [
      {
        "conditions": [],
        "on_deny": "Blocked by default. Requires approval."
      }
    ]
  }
}

Destructive tools should never be available to autonomous agents without human approval.

Rate limit write operations

{
  "add_adjustment_layer": {
    "limits": [
      {
        "counter": "add_adjustment_layer_per_hour",
        "window": "hour",
        "max": 30,
        "scope": "grant"
      }
    ]
  }
}

Prevents bulk unintended modifications from agents caught in loops.

Cap read operations

{
  "ae_dialogs": {
    "limits": [
      {
        "counter": "ae_dialogs_per_minute",
        "window": "minute",
        "max": 60,
        "scope": "grant"
      }
    ]
  }
}

Controls API costs and prevents retry loops from exhausting upstream rate limits.

Create a free account and register Ae — nothing to install.
Add these rules — paste them, or build them visually. Tune the limits to your setup.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

ENFORCE POLICY ON AE →

Instant setup, no code required.

FULL CATALOGUE

All 226 Ae tools

DESTRUCTIVE 21 tools

EXECUTE 3 tools

Execute new_project Create a new After Effects project and optionally save it to disk. Execute run_jsx Run raw ExtendScript/JSX in After Effects. The script runs in the desktop app. Execute run_jsx_json Run JSX inside the shared JSON wrapper and return the parsed JSON payload.

WRITE 156 tools

Write add_adjustment_layer Add an adjustment layer. Write add_camera_layer Add a camera layer with optional point of interest. Write add_comp_marker Add a marker to a composition timeline. Write add_comps_to_render_queue Add multiple compositions to the render queue in a single call. Optionally apply render settings template, out Write add_effect Add an effect to a named layer by After Effects match name. Write add_footage_layer Add an imported footage item as a layer in a named composition. Write add_guide Add a guide to a composition (horizontal or vertical, at a given position). Write add_layer_marker Add a marker to a layer. Write add_layer_style Add a layer style (drop shadow, inner shadow, outer glow, inner glow, bevel, stroke, color overlay, gradient o Write add_light_layer Add a light layer. Write add_mask Add a rectangular or custom mask to a layer. Write add_mask_path_keyframe Add a keyframe to a mask path property. Write add_null_layer Add a null layer to a composition. Write add_property_to_mogrt Add a layer property to Essential Graphics when After Effects allows it. Write add_shape_group Add a new shape group (rectangle, ellipse, polygon, star, or path) to a shape layer. Write add_shape_layer Add a native shape layer with a rectangle or ellipse group to a named composition. Write add_shape_operator Add a common shape operator such as trim_paths, repeater, merge_paths, or offset_paths. Write add_solid_layer Add a native solid layer to a composition. Write add_text_animator Add a text animator with a range selector to a text layer. Write add_text_layer Add a text layer to a named composition and optionally save. Write add_to_render_queue Add a composition to the After Effects render queue and optionally set output module/path. Write ae_healthcheck Verify After Effects and aerender availability, temp scripting, and local render CLI version. Write ae_info Detect installed After Effects executables and return the paths this MCP will use. Write apply_render_template Apply a named render settings template and/or output module template to a render queue item. Write auto_orient_layer Set auto-orientation mode for a layer (off, along path, camera, or characters). Write bake_expression Sample a property over time and write keyframes, optionally disabling its expression afterward. Write batch_add_effect Add the same effect to multiple layers in a single call. Write batch_apply_ffx Apply an animation preset (.ffx file) to multiple layers. Write batch_keyframe_offset Shift all keyframes on specified layers (or all layers) by a time offset in seconds. Write batch_rename_layers Rename multiple layers using a pattern, find-and-replace, or a numeric sequence. Write batch_replace_footage Replace multiple footage items by mapping old filename patterns to new absolute file paths. Write batch_replace_text Find and replace text content across all text layers in one or more compositions. Write batch_set_expression Set the same expression on a property across multiple layers. Write batch_set_layer_property Set the same property value on multiple layers in a single call. Write batch_set_transform Set transform properties (position, scale, rotation, opacity, anchor point) across multiple layers in a comp, Write clone_layer_to_comp Copy a layer from a source composition into a different target composition using copyToComp(). Write close_project Close the current or provided project with an explicit save policy. Write collect_asset_report Return a JSON report of external assets, missing footage, proxies, and comp usage. Write collect_files Collect the project and all its footage into a folder (File > Collect Files). Saves a copy of the .aep with al Write copy_effect Duplicate an effect on the same layer (adds a second instance at the bottom of the stack). Write copy_effect_to_layer Copy an effect (by name or index) from a source layer to a destination layer, optionally in a different comp. Write copy_keyframes Copy keyframes from one property to another (same or different layer), with optional time offset. Write create_comp Create a composition in the current or provided project and optionally save. Write create_folder Create a folder in the After Effects project panel. Write duplicate_comp Duplicate a composition and optionally rename it. Write duplicate_item Duplicate a composition, folder, or footage item when supported by After Effects. Write duplicate_layer Duplicate a layer by name. Write duplicate_render_item Duplicate a render queue item (same comp, same settings). Write enable_effect Enable or disable (mute) an effect on a layer without removing it. Write enable_layer_style Enable or disable a specific layer style (Drop Shadow, Inner Glow, etc.) on a layer. Write enable_time_remap Enable time remapping on a layer and optionally set initial keyframes. Write export_frame Export a single frame from a composition as a PNG, JPEG, or TIFF image using aerender. Provide either time (se Write export_mogrt Export a composition as a Motion Graphics Template. Requires overwrite: true if target exists. Write import_file Import a file or image sequence into the current or provided project. Write import_folder Import files from a folder according to optional extension filters. Write import_placeholder Create a placeholder footage item. Write import_sequence Import a numbered image sequence into the current or provided project. Write import_solid Create a native solid footage item. Write interpret_footage Update common footage interpretation settings such as alpha mode, conform frame rate, and loop count. Write link_property_expression Link a layer property to another layer's property via a simple expression (e.g. thisComp.layer('Name').transfo Write lock_mask Lock or unlock a mask on a layer. Write move_items_to_folder Move project panel items into an existing folder. Write open_project Open an .aep project in After Effects. Write panel_create_comp [Panel mode] Create a new composition in the open After Effects project. Write panel_healthcheck Ping the Synthetic AE MCP CEP panel running inside After Effects. Returns AE version, current project path, an Write panel_set_layer_property [Panel mode] Set a transform property on a layer (Position, Scale, Rotation, Opacity). Write precompose_layers Precompose selected layers into a new composition. Write project_info Return structured information about the current or provided After Effects project. Write redo Redo the last undone operation in After Effects. Write rename_item Rename a project panel item by id or name. Write rename_layer Rename a layer. Write rename_mogrt_controller Rename an Essential Graphics controller by 1-based index. Write render_comp Render a composition with aerender.exe. This is the most reliable render path for automation. Write render_comp_range Render a composition frame range with aerender.exe for quick automated verification. Write render_project_queue Render the existing After Effects render queue with aerender.exe. Write reorder_effect Move an effect up or down in the effect stack by a given number of positions. Write reorder_layer Move a layer before, after, to beginning, to end, or to a specific index. Write replace_footage Replace the source file of a footage item by item name. Write reverse_keyframes Reverse the temporal order of all keyframes on a property. Write save_project Save the current or provided After Effects project in place. Write save_project_as Save the current or provided project to an explicit .aep path. Write set_3d_transform Set 3D transform properties on a layer, enabling 3D when needed. Write set_alpha_mode Set the alpha interpretation for a footage item (ignore, straight, premultiplied). Write set_audio_keyframes Set keyframe values on a layer's Audio Levels property for audio mixing automation (fade in/out). Write set_blending_mode Set a layer blending mode by enum name such as NORMAL, ADD, SCREEN, MULTIPLY. Write set_camera_dof Enable or disable depth-of-field on a camera layer and set focus distance, aperture, and blur level. Write set_camera_options Set common camera options: zoom, depth of field, focus distance, aperture, blur level. Write set_comp_bg_color Set the background color of a composition. Write set_comp_renderer Set the renderer for a composition (Classic 3D, CINEMA 4D Renderer, or GPU Accelerated). Write set_comp_work_area Set the work area in/out points of a composition without recreating it. Write set_effect_property Set an effect property value on a named layer. Write set_environment_layer Toggle the environment layer flag on a 3D layer (used for HDRI/environment maps). Write set_expression Set or disable an expression on a layer property. Write set_footage_color_profile Assign a color profile / ICC profile to a footage item. Write set_footage_fields Set field order for interlaced footage (off, upper-field-first, lower-field-first). Write set_footage_loop Set how many times a footage item loops (1 = no loop, 0 = loop indefinitely). Write set_footage_pixel_aspect Override the pixel aspect ratio of a footage item. Write set_frame_blend_mode Set frame blending mode on a layer. Write set_gradient_fill Add or update a gradient fill on a shape group. Write set_item_comment Set the comment string on a project item (footage, comp, or folder). Write set_item_label Set the label color index (0–16) of a project panel item. Write set_keyframe_ease Set temporal ease speed/influence for selected or all keyframes. Write set_keyframe_hold Convert keyframes to hold (step) interpolation on a property. Write set_keyframe_interpolation Set temporal interpolation for selected or all keyframes. Write set_keyframe_roving Enable or disable roving-through-space on spatial keyframes. Write set_keyframes Set multiple keyframes on a named layer property using an After Effects property path. Write set_layer_audio Set audio levels and mute state of a layer. Write set_layer_collapse Enable or disable 'Collapse Transformations / Continuously Rasterize' on a layer. Write set_layer_label Set the label color index (0–16) of a layer. Write set_layer_quality Set layer render quality (best, draft, or wireframe). Write set_layer_sampling Set layer sampling quality (bilinear or bicubic). AE 2022+ only; silently ignored on older versions. Write set_layer_style_property Set a property value inside a layer style (e.g. drop shadow distance, opacity, color). Write set_layer_switches Set common layer switches such as enabled, shy, solo, locked, guide, 3D, motion blur, and adjustment. Write set_layer_timing Set layer start/in/out/stretch timing. Write set_light_options Set common light options: intensity, color, cone angle/feather, shadow darkness/diffusion. Write set_mask_feather_opacity_expansion Set mask feather, opacity, and expansion. Write set_mask_mode Set a mask mode. Write set_mask_name Rename a mask on a layer. Write set_mask_path Set the shape vertices of a mask. Write set_material_options Set common 3D material options on a layer. Write set_merge_paths Add or set a Merge Paths operator on a shape group. Write set_mogrt_comment Set the comment/description on the Essential Graphics template for a comp. Write set_mogrt_controller_value Set the value of a property that is exposed as a controller in the Essential Graphics (MOGRT) panel. Write set_mogrt_name Set a composition Motion Graphics Template name. Write set_mogrt_property_range Set the min/max range (slider bounds) for a numeric Essential Graphics controller. Write set_output_module Configure the output module of a render queue item (format, channels, depth, color). Write set_preference Write an After Effects preference value (section + key). Write set_project_color_settings Set project bits per channel (8, 16, or 32) and optionally the working color space. Write set_project_settings Set project-level settings: color depth (8/16/32 bits), time display (timecode/frames), audio sample rate, and Write set_property_value Set a generic layer property value by After Effects property path. Write set_proxy Set a file proxy for a footage item. Write set_render_queue_output Set render queue output module template and/or output path for an item. Write set_render_settings Set render settings on a render queue item (quality, resolution, frame blending, motion blur). Write set_repeater Add or update a Repeater operator on a shape group (copies, offset, transform). Write set_rq_item_enabled Enable or disable (queue/dequeue) a render queue item. Write set_shape_fill Set or add the first fill in a shape layer. Write set_shape_stroke Set or add the first stroke in a shape layer. Write set_shape_vertices Set the vertices, inTangents, outTangents and closed state of a shape path property. Write set_spatial_tangents Set the spatial (bezier) in/out tangent handles for a specific keyframe of a position property. Write set_text_animator_property Set the animated value of a property (fill color, tracking, scale, opacity, position, blur) on an existing tex Write set_text_box Set box text dimensions and position on a text layer, or convert a point text layer to box text. Write set_text_justification Set the paragraph justification (left, center, right, full) of a text layer. Write set_text_layer Set the text content of a named text layer in a named composition. Write set_text_selector Configure the range selector on a text animator (start, end, offset, based on). Write set_text_style Set typography properties on a text layer: font, size, color, tracking, leading, stroke, justification. Write set_text_style_range Apply font, fontSize, fillColor, or strokeColor to a specific character range inside a text layer. Uses TextDo Write set_track_matte Set track matte type on a layer. The layer above it in the stack acts as the matte source. Write set_transform Set common transform properties on a named layer. Write set_trim_paths Set Trim Paths (start, end, offset) on a shape group. Adds the operator if not present. Write split_layer Split a layer at a given time, producing two layers (like Ctrl+Shift+D). Write toggle_expression Enable or disable an existing expression on a layer property. Write trim_comp_to_work_area Trim a composition to its work area (sets duration = work area duration). Write undo Undo the last operation in After Effects. Write update_comp_marker Edit the properties of an existing composition marker (comment, duration, chapter, url). Identify the marker b Write update_comp_settings Update common composition settings such as dimensions, duration, frame rate, background, work area, pixel aspe Write update_layer_marker Edit the properties of an existing layer marker (comment, duration, chapter, url). Identify the marker by inde

READ 46 tools

Read ae_dialogs List or close visible After Effects modal dialogs using Windows UI Automation. Read find_project_items Find project items by name, type, parent folder, or missing-footage state. Read get_ae_version Detect the running After Effects version, build number, and feature availability. Read get_all_property_values Read the current values of multiple properties on a layer in a single call. Read get_comp_info Return detailed composition settings, renderers, markers, and layer summaries. Read get_expression Read expression source, enabled state, and expression error for a layer property. Read get_expression_globals Extract all expressions from all layers in a comp, returning property path, expression text, enabled state, an Read get_layer_audio Read audio levels and mute state of a layer. Read get_layer_blend_mode Return the current blending mode of a layer as a string (e.g. 'BlendingMode.NORMAL', 'BlendingMode.MULTIPLY'). Read get_layer_info Return extended information for a single layer: all transform values (position, scale, rotation, opacity, anch Read get_layer_track_matte Read the current track matte type of a layer. Read get_preferences Read After Effects preferences (section + key). Returns the stored value. Read get_project_settings Read project-level settings: color depth, time display, audio sample rate, and expression engine. Read get_property_tree Inspect a layer property tree, optionally from a nested property path. Read get_property_value Read a layer property value by After Effects property path. Read get_recent_errors Return the most recent MCP/After Effects tool error captured by this server process. Read get_render_status Get the current status and progress of all items in the render queue. Read get_shape_vertices Read the vertices, inTangents, outTangents, and closed state of a shape path property. Read get_spatial_tangents Get the spatial (bezier) in/out tangent handles for all keys of a position (or spatial) property. Read get_text_document Read text document details from a named text layer. Read get_transform Read the current transform property values of a layer at a given time. Returns position, scale, anchorPoint, r Read list_comp_markers List all markers on a composition timeline. Read list_comps List compositions in the current project or in a provided .aep project. Read list_expression_errors List all layers and properties in a comp that have expression errors. Read list_guides List all guides in a composition. Read list_keyframes List keyframes for a layer property by After Effects property path. Read list_layer_effects List effects applied to a named layer. Read list_layer_markers List all markers on a layer. Read list_layer_styles List all layer styles applied to a layer. Read list_layers List layers in a named composition. Read list_lights_cameras List all camera and light layers in a composition with their settings. Read list_masks List masks on a layer. Read list_missing_footage List missing footage items in the current or provided project. Read list_mogrt_controllers List Essential Graphics controllers exposed by a composition. Read list_output_modules List the output modules configured on a render queue item. Read list_project_items List project panel items with folder/source metadata. Read list_render_queue List render queue items and output modules in the current or provided project. Read list_render_templates List available render settings templates and output module templates in After Effects. Read list_shape_groups List shape groups inside a shape layer. Read list_text_animators List all text animators on a text layer. Read panel_get_project_info [Panel mode] Get the open After Effects project info: file path, item count, active item, bit depth. Read panel_list_comps [Panel mode] List every composition in the open After Effects project — id, name, dimensions, duration, frame Read panel_list_layers [Panel mode] List layers in a composition. Defaults to the active comp. Read relink_missing_footage Relink missing footage by matching filenames against one or more search roots. Read sequence_layers Sequence a list of layers in time so each starts after the previous ends (or with an overlap). Read validate_render_output Validate that a rendered output exists and is non-empty enough for automated smoke checks.

EXPLORE

Related servers

Other MCP servers with similar tools — same risk classification, starter policies for each.

FAQ

Questions about Ae

Can an AI agent delete data through the Ae MCP server? +

Yes. The Ae server exposes 21 destructive tools including cancel_render, clear_guides, clear_proxy. These permanently remove resources with no undo. PolicyLayer blocks destructive tools by default so they never reach the upstream server.

How do I prevent bulk modifications through Ae? +

The Ae server has 156 write tools including add_adjustment_layer, add_camera_layer, add_comp_marker. Set a rate limit in your policy -- for example, 10 calls per hour prevents an agent from making more than 10 modifications per hour. PolicyLayer enforces this at the gateway, before calls reach Ae.

How many tools does the Ae MCP server expose? +

226 tools across 4 categories: Destructive, Execute, Read, Write. 46 are read-only. 180 can modify, create, or delete data.

How do I enforce a policy on Ae? +

Register the Ae MCP server in PolicyLayer, apply the suggested rules above (adjust the limits to your use case), and point your AI client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL instead of the server directly. Your agents keep the same tools; PolicyLayer evaluates every call against policy before it executes. Nothing to install, live in minutes.

Ae