after-effects

Overview

This skill automates After Effects by generating ExtendScript (.jsx) and executing it via osascript. It reads project state through query scripts, uses rule files for domain knowledge, and wraps all mutations in undo groups.

First-Time Setup

1. Run scripts/runner.sh with any query script to detect the AE version
2. If multiple AE versions are installed, the user must choose one — runner.sh will prompt
3. Ensure AE Preferences > Scripting & Expressions > "Allow Scripts to Write Files and Access Network" is enabled

Workflow

For every user request:

Step 1: Gather context (auto-run, no confirmation needed)

Use --background for all query scripts — this skips ae.activate() so AE doesn't steal focus:

bash scripts/runner.sh --background scripts/active-state.jsx

Then read /tmp/ae-assistant-result.json for active comp, selected layers, CTI.

If this is the first interaction or the project context is unknown, also run:

bash scripts/runner.sh --background scripts/project-overview.jsx

This returns a summary by default: folder tree with counts, all comps listed, footage grouped by file type. NOT every individual file.

To drill into a specific folder:

bash scripts/runner.sh --background scripts/project-overview.jsx '{"mode": "folder", "folderName": "Images"}'

Only use full mode when you actually need every item listed:

bash scripts/runner.sh --background scripts/project-overview.jsx '{"mode": "full"}'

Step 2: Drill down if needed (auto-run)

If the task targets a specific comp:

bash scripts/runner.sh --background scripts/comp-detail.jsx '{"compName": "Comp Name"}'

If the task targets specific layers:

bash scripts/runner.sh --background scripts/layer-detail.jsx '{"layerNames": ["Layer 1", "Layer 2"]}'

Omit compName to use the active comp. Omit layerNames to use selected layers.

Additional query scripts

Expression errors — scan for broken expressions:

bash scripts/runner.sh --background scripts/expression-errors.jsx
bash scripts/runner.sh --background scripts/expression-errors.jsx '{"compName": "Main Comp"}'

Font inventory — list all fonts used across the project:

bash scripts/runner.sh --background scripts/font-inventory.jsx

Project audit — comprehensive health check (unused footage, missing files, expression errors, duplicate solids, font issues, empty folders):

bash scripts/runner.sh --background scripts/project-audit.jsx
bash scripts/runner.sh --background scripts/project-audit.jsx '{"checks": ["unused", "missing", "expressions"]}'

Step 3: Load domain knowledge

Read the relevant rule file from rules/. Always read rules/extendscript-fundamentals.md — it contains ES3 constraints that apply to every generated script.

Step 4: Generate the action script

CRITICAL: Resolve the skill's real path first

Before writing or executing any action script, resolve the skill's real (non-symlinked) path. ExtendScript #include cannot follow symlinks, so you MUST use the real filesystem path.

Run this once at the start of each session:

SKILL_SCRIPTS="$(readlink -f ~/.claude/skills/after-effects-assistant/scripts 2>/dev/null || readlink ~/.claude/skills/after-effects-assistant/scripts)"
echo "$SKILL_SCRIPTS"

Use the resolved path ($SKILL_SCRIPTS) for all subsequent Write and Bash commands in this session.

Why this matters:

• ~/.claude/skills/ is typically a symlink — ExtendScript #include fails through symlinks
• Writing to the real scripts/ directory lets #include "lib/json2.jsx" resolve correctly
• The resolved path changes per machine, so never hardcode it

Every generated script MUST follow this template:

#include "lib/json2.jsx"
#include "lib/utils.jsx"

(function() {
    app.beginUndoGroup("AE Assistant: <action description>");
    try {
        var args = readArgs();
        var comp = getActiveComp();
        if (!comp) return;

        // ... action code ...

        writeResult({ success: true, message: "<what was done>" });
    } catch (e) {
        try { writeResult({ error: e.toString(), line: e.line, fileName: e.fileName }); }
        catch(e2) { writeError(e.toString(), "line:" + e.line); }
    } finally {
        app.endUndoGroup();
    }
})();

utils.jsx helpers available for generated scripts

Write the script using the Write tool, then execute with a short bash command:

1. Use the Write tool to write the script to $SKILL_SCRIPTS/ae-action.jsx (the resolved real path)
2. Execute it with bash:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/ae-action.jsx"

IMPORTANT: Do NOT use cat > file << 'SCRIPT' heredocs — they put the entire script in the bash command, cluttering the permission prompt. Always use the Write tool for the script content, then a short bash command to run it.

Step 5: Execute or confirm

Auto-run (no confirmation needed):

• All read-only queries (active-state, project-overview, comp-detail, layer-detail, expression-errors, font-inventory, project-audit)
• Non-destructive additions: adding a keyframe, adding an effect, creating a layer, creating a comp

Confirm before running (show the script and ask the user):

• Deleting layers or comps
• Removing keyframes
• Replacing footage
• Clearing expressions
• Render queue operations
• Project cleanup (removing unused items, consolidating solids)
• Any operation the user might not expect

Built-in action scripts

Before generating a custom ae-action.jsx, check if a built-in script already handles the task. These are permanent, tested scripts with args-based behavior:

True Comp Duplicator — deep-clone a comp with independent sub-comps (confirm before running):

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/true-comp-duplicator.jsx" '{"compName": "Main Comp", "suffix": " COPY"}'

Font Replace — find and replace fonts across the project. Always dryRun first:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/font-replace.jsx" '{"find": "Helvetica", "replace": "Inter-Regular", "dryRun": true}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/font-replace.jsx" '{"find": "Helvetica", "replace": "Inter-Regular"}'

Project Cleanup — remove unused footage, consolidate duplicate solids, remove empty folders. Always dryRun first:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/project-cleanup.jsx" '{"dryRun": true}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/project-cleanup.jsx"

Batch Rename — rename layers, comps, or project items in bulk:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/batch-rename.jsx" '{"target": "layers", "mode": "find-replace", "find": "Layer", "replace": "Element"}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/batch-rename.jsx" '{"target": "layers", "mode": "prefix", "prefix": "BG_"}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/batch-rename.jsx" '{"target": "layers", "mode": "sequence", "base": "Card", "start": 1}'

Layer Stagger — offset selected layers in time for cascade animations:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/layer-stagger.jsx" '{"offset": 0.1, "unit": "seconds", "direction": "forward"}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/layer-stagger.jsx" '{"offset": 2, "unit": "frames"}'

Expression Replace — find/replace text in expressions project-wide. Always dryRun first:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/expression-replace.jsx" '{"find": "comp(\"Old\")", "replace": "comp(\"New\")", "dryRun": true}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/expression-replace.jsx" '{"find": "comp(\"Old\")", "replace": "comp(\"New\")"}'

Organize Project — auto-sort project panel items into folders by type:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/organize-project.jsx" '{"structure": "by-type"}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/organize-project.jsx" '{"structure": "by-extension"}'

Batch Comp Settings — change fps, resolution, duration across multiple comps:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/batch-comp-settings.jsx" '{"scope": "all", "fps": 25}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/batch-comp-settings.jsx" '{"compNames": ["Comp 1", "Comp 2"], "width": 3840, "height": 2160}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/batch-comp-settings.jsx" '{"scope": "nested", "fps": 30, "duration": 10}'

Easing Presets — apply professional easing or bounce/elastic expressions:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/easing-presets.jsx" '{"preset": "smooth"}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/easing-presets.jsx" '{"preset": "snappy"}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/easing-presets.jsx" '{"preset": "bounce"}'

Anchor Point Mover — reposition anchor point with visual position compensation:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/anchor-point-mover.jsx" '{"position": "center"}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/anchor-point-mover.jsx" '{"position": "bottom-left"}'

Reverse Keyframes — reverse animation on selected properties:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/reverse-keyframes.jsx"

Select Layers — select layers by type, label, attribute, or name:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/select-layers.jsx" '{"type": "text"}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/select-layers.jsx" '{"hasExpressions": true}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/select-layers.jsx" '{"nameContains": "BG"}'

Layer Sort — reorder layers in timeline by name, position, in-point, type, or label:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/layer-sort.jsx" '{"sortBy": "name", "order": "ascending"}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/layer-sort.jsx" '{"sortBy": "position-y"}'

Smart Precompose — precompose with auto-trimmed duration:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/smart-precompose.jsx" '{"name": "My Precomp", "trimToContent": true}'

Copy Ease — copy easing from one keyframe and paste to others:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/copy-ease.jsx" '{"mode": "both"}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/copy-ease.jsx" '{"sourceLayer": "Logo", "sourceProperty": "Position", "sourceKeyIndex": 2}'

Relink Footage — batch-relink missing footage from search directories. Always dryRun first:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/relink-footage.jsx" '{"searchPaths": ["/Volumes/Projects/footage"], "dryRun": true}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/relink-footage.jsx" '{"searchPaths": ["/Volumes/Projects/footage"]}'

SRT Import — create timed subtitle text layers from an SRT file:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/srt-import.jsx" '{"srtPath": "/path/to/subs.srt", "fontSize": 48}'

Text Export/Import — export all text to CSV, edit externally, reimport:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/text-export-import.jsx" '{"mode": "export", "csvPath": "/tmp/text.csv"}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/text-export-import.jsx" '{"mode": "import", "csvPath": "/tmp/text.csv"}'

Batch Expression — apply, remove, enable, or disable expressions in bulk:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/batch-expression.jsx" '{"property": "opacity", "expression": "wiggle(2, 10)", "mode": "apply"}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/batch-expression.jsx" '{"mode": "remove"}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/batch-expression.jsx" '{"mode": "disable"}'

Randomize Properties — apply random values to transform properties:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/randomize-properties.jsx" '{"property": "rotation", "min": -15, "max": 15}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/randomize-properties.jsx" '{"property": "position", "minX": 0, "maxX": 1920, "minY": 0, "maxY": 1080}'

Un-PreCompose — extract layers from a precomp back into parent (confirm before running):

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/un-precompose.jsx" '{"precompLayerName": "Precomp 1"}'

Comp from CSV — generate comp variations from spreadsheet data (confirm before running):

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/comp-from-csv.jsx" '{"templateComp": "Lower Third", "csvPath": "/path/data.csv"}'

Render Queue Batch — add multiple comps to render queue (confirm before running):

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/render-queue-batch.jsx" '{"compNames": ["Final_16x9", "Final_9x16"], "outputPath": "~/Desktop/renders/"}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/render-queue-batch.jsx" '{"scope": "folder", "folderName": "Finals"}'

Explode Shape Layer — split shape groups into individual layers:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/explode-shape-layer.jsx" '{"layerName": "AI Import"}'

Incremental Save — save project with auto-incrementing version number:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/incremental-save.jsx" '{"comment": "before revisions"}'

Purge Cache — clear memory caches, disk cache, and free resources. dryRun to check size first:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/purge-cache.jsx" '{"dryRun": true}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/purge-cache.jsx"
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/purge-cache.jsx" '{"memory": true, "disk": false}'

Trim Comp to Content — trim/extend comp duration to exactly fit layer content:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/trim-comp-to-content.jsx"
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/trim-comp-to-content.jsx" '{"padding": 0.5}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/trim-comp-to-content.jsx" '{"recursive": true}'

Null from Layers — create a null at each selected layer's position, auto-parent:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/null-from-layers.jsx"
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/null-from-layers.jsx" '{"naming": "custom", "prefix": "Driver"}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/null-from-layers.jsx" '{"position": "comp-center"}'

Fit to Comp — scale selected layers to fit/fill comp dimensions:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/fit-to-comp.jsx" '{"mode": "fit"}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/fit-to-comp.jsx" '{"mode": "fill"}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/fit-to-comp.jsx" '{"mode": "stretch"}'

Label Layers — batch-set label colors on layers by type, name, or selection:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/label-layers.jsx" '{"label": 3, "target": "selected"}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/label-layers.jsx" '{"label": 1, "target": "text"}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/label-layers.jsx" '{"label": 5, "target": "all", "nameContains": "BG"}'

Blend Mode Set — set blending mode on selected layers:

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/blend-mode-set.jsx" '{"mode": "SCREEN"}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/blend-mode-set.jsx" '{"mode": "MULTIPLY"}'
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/blend-mode-set.jsx" '{"mode": "ADD"}'

Split Layer — split selected layers at CTI (confirm before running — modifies layer timing):

bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/split-layer.jsx"
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/split-layer.jsx" '{"time": 2.5}'

Step 6: Execute and read result

# Execute the action script (already written to $SKILL_SCRIPTS/ae-action.jsx in Step 4)
bash "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/runner.sh" "$SKILL_SCRIPTS/ae-action.jsx" '{"arg1": "value1"}'

Read /tmp/ae-assistant-result.json for the result.

Debugging failures

If a script fails, check these in order:

1. ~/.ae-assistant-log — runner.sh logs every execution, args, results, and errors here
2. /tmp/ae-assistant-error.txt — JXA-level errors (AE not responding, DoScriptFile failure)
3. ~/.ae-assistant-extendscript.log — ExtendScript-level logs from appendLog() in utils.jsx
4. AE Preferences — Ensure "Allow Scripts to Write Files and Access Network" is enabled

When an error occurs, read ~/.ae-assistant-log to understand what happened, fix the script, and retry.

MUST

• ALWAYS wrap mutations in app.beginUndoGroup() / app.endUndoGroup()
• ALWAYS use matchNames for property access, not display names (display names are localized)
• ALWAYS use 1-based indexing for layers and project items
• ALWAYS write action scripts to $SKILL_SCRIPTS/ae-action.jsx (the resolved real path, NOT /tmp/)
• ALWAYS use relative #include "lib/json2.jsx" and #include "lib/utils.jsx" (NOT absolute paths)
• ALWAYS wrap in an IIFE to avoid global scope pollution
• ALWAYS use var, never let or const (ES3)
• ALWAYS write results to /tmp/ae-assistant-result.json via writeResult()
• ALWAYS use getActiveComp() to get the active comp (handles the null/CompItem check and writes error)
• ALWAYS use --background flag for query scripts to avoid focus-steal

FORBIDDEN

• NEVER use ES5+ syntax: let, const, arrow functions, template literals, destructuring
• NEVER use Array.map, Array.filter, Array.reduce, Array.forEach (not in ES3)
• NEVER use JSON.parse or JSON.stringify without including json2.jsx
• NEVER write action scripts to /tmp/ — ExtendScript #include can't resolve paths from there
• NEVER use absolute paths in #include — they break through symlinks
• NEVER hardcode layer indices — use names, selection, or iteration
• NEVER run destructive operations without user confirmation
• NEVER assume a comp is active without checking
• NEVER use cat > file << 'SCRIPT' heredocs to write scripts — use the Write tool instead, then execute with a short bash command