# ae_parent_layer

Set up a parent-child relationship between two layers for hierarchical animation control

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

## Facts

- Tool: `ae_parent_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_parent_layer",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why ae_parent_layer is rated Medium

The tool creates or modifies project structure (layer parenting) reversibly. While it affects animation behavior and rendering, the change can be undone and represents data modification rather than deletion, execution of external code, or financial transaction.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool modifies layer hierarchy by establishing parent-child relationships ('Set up a parent-child relationship between two layers'). This is a reversible structural change to the After Effects project that does not delete data or execute arbitrary code."

## Use case

AI agents use ae_parent_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_parent_layer": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "ae_parent_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_layer` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/ae/ae-create-layer.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
- …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