run-script

THE RISK

High Risk

Why run-script needs a policy

Script execution in professional software like After Effects is inherently an Execute-category action because it runs code whose effects depend on script arguments and implementation. Even read-only scripts can cause unintended consequences (resource consumption, side channels, information disclosure).

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'run-script' and description states it runs 'a read-only script in After Effects'. The verb 'run' indicates code execution.

Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access run-script gives an agent:

POLICY

How to control run-script

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 run-script:

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "run-script": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "run-script_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 10,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

run-script stays usable, but rate-capped — a runaway agent can't fire it dozens of times 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.

RATE-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 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 Write apply-effect-template Apply a predefined effect template to a layer in After Effects

All 30 After Effects MCP Server tools →

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Go deeper

High-risk tools in After Effects MCP Server → Every high-risk tool this server exposes, in one view.
All high-risk MCP tools → Every high-risk tool across the catalogue, and the policy pattern that contains them.
The MCP Attack Database → Documented attack patterns against MCP deployments — and the policies that stop them.
Agent sandbox → Bounding what an agent can execute and where the boundary should sit.
Least privilege for MCP → Granting agents the minimum tool surface the task needs.
Rate Limiting MCP Tool Calls: A Practical Guide →
MCP Security: Why Prompt Guardrails Aren't Enough →

FAQ

Questions about run-script

What does the run-script tool do? +

Run a read-only script in After Effects. It is categorised as a Execute tool in the After Effects MCP Server MCP Server, which means it can trigger actions or run processes. Use rate limits and argument validation.

How do I enforce a policy on run-script? +

Register the After Effects MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for run-script: 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 run-script? +

run-script is a Execute tool with high risk. Execute tools should be rate-limited and have argument validation enabled.

Can I rate-limit run-script? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the run-script 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 run-script completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for run-script. 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 run-script? +

run-script 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 →