Claude
Connect Claude to your live After Effects project with Prism. Copy your MCP URL from the panel, paste it into Claude, and get real editable keyframes back. No terminal, no code.
Yes, Claude can drive After Effects. You install the Prism MCP panel, copy your personal MCP URL from it, and paste that URL into Claude once. From then on Claude can read your open composition and write real, editable layers and keyframes into it.
What you need first
| After Effects | 2024, 2025 or 2026, on macOS or Windows |
| Claude | Any current version with MCP support |
| Prism | A plan (Free works) and the MCP panel installed |
| Time | About two minutes |
Connect Claude to After Effects
PRISM-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX and covers two devices.Where to paste it in Claude
Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector, then paste the URL the panel shows.
This works in Claude Desktop and on the web. There is no config file to edit and no terminal step.
What to ask first
Once Claude is connected, start with something small and checkable:
- "Tell me about my current composition." — proves the read path
- "Stagger these layers by two frames and ease them out." — proves the write path
- "Transcribe this audio layer into subtitles." — proves Prism AI
More in your first prompts.
If it does not work
| What you see | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Claude cannot reach Prism | The panel is closed. It has to be open in After Effects |
| It connects but sees no composition | No comp is active — open one |
| The URL is rejected | It was copied before clicking Connect. Click Connect, then copy |
| It asks for your license again | The key is not activated on this device |
The longer list is in troubleshooting.
Common questions
Do I pay for Claude and Prism separately?
Yes, and that is deliberate. You keep your own Claude subscription and Prism never resells model access — which is exactly why AI actions have no cap on Pro. See your AI client.
Does Claude see my project files?
No. Your .aep files, footage and comps stay on your machine. Only the
structure of the open composition and the instruction you asked for make a
round trip.
Can I use Claude and another client at the same time?
Yes. The same URL works in every client, so you can add it to as many as you like and switch whenever you want.
Can I undo what Claude does?
Yes. Every action lands as one step in After Effects history, so a single undo reverts it, and anything destructive is preceded by a restore point.
Related
- Your AI client — every client that works, and why you keep your own
- Quickstart — the whole setup in five minutes
- Prism MCP — what the MCP tab does
- First prompts — what to ask on day one
ChatGPT
Connect ChatGPT to your live After Effects project with Prism. Copy your MCP URL from the panel, paste it into ChatGPT, and get real editable keyframes back. No terminal, no code.
Gemini
Connect Gemini to your live After Effects project with Prism. Copy your MCP URL from the panel, paste it into Gemini, and get real editable keyframes back. No terminal, no code.