apply-preset

THE RISK

Medium Risk

Why apply-preset needs a policy

The tool creates or modifies layer properties by applying a preset, which is a reversible change to project state. It does not execute arbitrary code, delete data, or move money. While it affects the composition, the effect is non-destructive and can be undone in After Effects. The medium severity reflects that misuse could unintentionally alter the visual output of a composition, but the change is easily reverted.

From the tool's definition Tool description states it will 'Apply an After Effects .ffx preset file to a layer,' which modifies the layer's effects and properties. The action is reversible (presets can be removed or adjusted).

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access apply-preset gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control apply-preset

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and After Effects MCP Server, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for apply-preset:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "apply-preset": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "apply-preset_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

apply-preset stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

Create a free account and register After Effects MCP Server — nothing to install.
Add this policy — paste it, or build it visually.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Free to start. No card required.

EXPLORE

Related tools and policies

More After Effects MCP Server tools

Destructive remove-effect Remove one specific effect (or all effects) from a layer. Execute run-bridge-test Run the bridge test effects script to verify communication and apply test effects Execute run-script Run a read-only script in After Effects Execute test-animation Test animation functionality in After Effects Write add-any-effect Add any After Effects effect to a layer by matchName or display name. Write add-marker Add a marker to a layer or composition at a specified time. Markers can include a comment, Write add-markers-bulk Add multiple layer or composition markers at once. Use this after analyze-audio-waveform t Write apply-effect Apply an effect to a layer in After Effects

All 30 After Effects MCP Server tools →

Write tools on other servers

M-Team MCP Server download_torrent YouTube MCP Server generate_video_title Android Forensics ADB MCP Server combine_reports 0xarchive web3_signup

Go deeper

The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Argument validation → Checking tool call arguments against schema and policy before they run.
Scoped token → Per-person credentials that grant a defined subset of servers and tools.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about apply-preset

What does the apply-preset tool do? +

Apply an After Effects .ffx preset file to a layer. It is categorised as a Write tool in the After Effects MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on apply-preset? +

Register the After Effects MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for apply-preset: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches After Effects MCP Server. Nothing to install.

What risk level is apply-preset? +

apply-preset is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit apply-preset? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the apply-preset rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block apply-preset completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for apply-preset. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides apply-preset? +

apply-preset is provided by the After Effects MCP Server MCP server (thellamainator/after-effects-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.

Enforce policy on every After Effects MCP Server tool call.

Start from After Effects MCP Server, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.

CHECK YOUR STACK →