# ae_create_layer

Create a layer of specified type (solid, shape, text, null) in the active composition with customizable properties

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `ae_create_layer`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-create-layer

## Facts

- Tool: `ae_create_layer`
- Server: Ae (`ae-mcp-server`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae.md
- Install: `npx -y ae-mcp-server`
- Homepage: https://www.npmjs.com/package/ae-mcp-server
- Risk category: Write (Medium risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Rate-limited

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "ae_create_layer",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why ae_create_layer is rated Medium

Creating a layer in After Effects is a reversible modification operation. It adds new data (a layer object) to the composition but does not delete, execute arbitrary code, or cause irreversible changes. The user can undo layer creation or delete it later. This fits the Write category (creates or modifies data reversibly).

From the tool's own definition: "Tool description states it will 'Create a layer' with 'customizable properties' in the active composition. This is explicitly a creation operation that modifies the composition by adding new elements."

## Use case

AI agents use ae_create_layer to create or update resources in Ae, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Ae environment.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Rate-limited**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Ae:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "ae_create_layer": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "ae_create_layer_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Ae (34)

- `ae_delete_layer` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-delete-layer.md
- `ae_remove_effect` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-remove-effect.md
- `ae_add_expression` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-add-expression.md
- `ae_render_preview` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-render-preview.md
- `ae_select_layers` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-select-layers.md
- `ae_check_connection` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-check-connection.md
- `ae_get_composition_info` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-get-composition-info.md
- `ae_get_effect_info` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-get-effect-info.md
- `ae_get_layer_info` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-get-layer-info.md
- `ae_get_render_queue_info` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-get-render-queue-info.md
- `ae_get_screenshot` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-get-screenshot.md
- `mcp_health_check` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/mcp-health-check.md
- `mcp_performance_metrics` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/mcp-performance-metrics.md
- `mcp_system_diagnostics` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/mcp-system-diagnostics.md
- `ae_add_audio_markers` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-add-audio-markers.md
- `ae_add_keyframe` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-add-keyframe.md
- `ae_add_text_animator` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-add-text-animator.md
- `ae_animate_camera` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-animate-camera.md
- `ae_animate_property` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-animate-property.md
- `ae_apply_color_grading` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-apply-color-grading.md
- `ae_apply_effect` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-apply-effect.md
- `ae_apply_effect_preset` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-apply-effect-preset.md
- `ae_create_composition` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-create-composition.md
- `ae_create_null_controller` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-create-null-controller.md
- `ae_create_particle_system` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-create-particle-system.md
- `ae_duplicate_layer` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-duplicate-layer.md
- `ae_enable_motion_blur` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-enable-motion-blur.md
- `ae_export_video` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-export-video.md
- `ae_import_file` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-import-file.md
- `ae_parent_layer` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-parent-layer.md
- …and 4 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/ae.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

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Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=ae · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/ae