ae-script-runner

Adobe After Effects ExtendScript Runner For VS Code

A Visual Studio Code extension that allows you to run Adobe After Effects ExtendScript code directly from VS Code without leaving your editor.

Just a quick vibe code project

Features

• 🚀 One-Click Execution: Run scripts with Cmd+R (macOS) or Ctrl+R (Windows)
• 🔍 Auto-Detection: Automatically detects installed After Effects versions
• 🎯 Version Selection: Choose specific AE versions via Command Palette
• 💾 Smart File Handling: Works with saved files, unsaved files, and temporary scripts
• 🧹 Auto-Cleanup: Temporary files are automatically cleaned up after execution
• 🛠 Cross-Platform: Supports both macOS and Windows

Installation

Method 1: Command Palette (Recommended)

1. Open VS Code
2. Press Cmd+Shift+P (macOS) or Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows) to open Command Palette
3. Type "Install Extension from Location" and select this extension folder
4. The extension will be installed and activated automatically

Method 2: Manual Installation

1. Copy this extension folder to your VS Code extensions directory:
   • macOS: ~/.vscode/extensions/
   • Windows: %USERPROFILE%\.vscode\extensions\
2. Restart VS Code
3. The extension will be activated automatically

Usage

Quick Start

1. Open any .jsx or .js file containing ExtendScript code
2. Press Cmd+R (macOS) or Ctrl+R (Windows)
3. Your script will be sent to After Effects automatically!

Example Script

// Create a new composition
var comp = app.project.items.addComp("My Comp", 1920, 1080, 1, 10, 30);

// Add a solid layer
var solidLayer = comp.layers.addSolid([1, 0, 0], "Red Solid", 1920, 1080, 1);

// Show a message
alert("Script executed successfully!");

Commands

Access these commands via Cmd+Shift+P (macOS) or Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows):

AE: Run ExtendScript in After Effects

• Shortcut: Cmd+R / Ctrl+R
• Executes the current file or selection in After Effects

AE: Choose After Effects Version (macOS only)

• Opens a picker to select which After Effects version to target
• Shows all detected installations
• Includes auto-detect option (recommended)

Configuration

Settings

Configure the extension through VS Code settings (Cmd+, / Ctrl+,):

aeScriptRunner.saveBeforeRun

• Type: Boolean
• Default: true
• Description: Automatically save files before execution

aeScriptRunner.tempFile

• Type: String
• Default: ${workspaceFolder}/.vscode/ae-temp-script.jsx
• Description: Path for temporary files when document is unsaved

aeScriptRunner.executeFile

• Type: String
• Default: "" (empty)
• Description: Always execute this specific file instead of current document

aeScriptRunner.macAfterEffectsBundle (macOS only)

• Type: String
• Default: "auto"
• Description: Bundle identifier for After Effects version targeting
• Options:
  • "auto" - Auto-detect (recommended)
  • "com.adobe.AfterEffects.application" - After Effects 2025+
  • "com.adobe.AfterEffects" - After Effects 2024
  • "com.adobe.aftereffects" - Legacy versions

aeScriptRunner.winAfterEffectsExe (Windows only)

• Type: String
• Default: "C:/Program Files/Adobe/Adobe After Effects 2025/Support Files/AfterFX.exe"
• Description: Path to AfterFX.exe executable

Example Settings

{
  "aeScriptRunner.saveBeforeRun": true,
  "aeScriptRunner.macAfterEffectsBundle": "auto",
  "aeScriptRunner.tempFile": "${workspaceFolder}/.vscode/ae-temp-script.jsx"
}

How It Works

macOS

Uses JavaScript for Automation (JXA) via osascript to communicate with After Effects:

• Activates After Effects if not already active
• Executes the script file using doScriptFile()
• Works reliably on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs

Windows

Uses the After Effects command-line interface:

• Calls AfterFX.exe -r scriptPath to execute scripts
• Requires After Effects to be installed in standard location or configured path

Supported After Effects Versions

Automatically Detected Versions (macOS)

• After Effects 2025+: com.adobe.AfterEffects.application
• After Effects 2024: com.adobe.AfterEffects
• Legacy versions: com.adobe.aftereffects

Windows Support

• After Effects 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
• Configurable executable path for custom installations

File Handling

The extension intelligently handles different file states:

1. Saved Files: Uses the file directly
2. Unsaved Changes: Attempts to save silently, falls back to temporary file
3. Untitled Documents: Always creates temporary file
4. Configured File: Uses executeFile setting if specified

Temporary files are automatically cleaned up after execution.

Troubleshooting

"Application can't be found" Error (macOS)

1. Check Installation: Ensure After Effects is installed in /Applications/
2. Try Version Picker: Run AE: Choose After Effects Version command
3. Manual Configuration: Set macAfterEffectsBundle in settings
4. Check Console: Open Developer Tools → Console for detailed error info

Script Not Executing (Windows)

1. Verify Path: Check winAfterEffectsExe setting points to correct executable
2. Run as Administrator: Some systems require elevated permissions
3. Check AE Version: Ensure compatible After Effects version

File Save Issues

• Extension handles save prompts automatically
• For persistent issues, disable saveBeforeRun and work with saved files only

Development

Building the Extension

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Package extension
npm run package

File Structure

ae-script-runner/
├── extension.js          # Main extension logic
├── package.json          # Extension manifest
└── README.md            # This file

Changelog

v1.0.0

• Initial release
• Auto-detection of After Effects versions
• Cross-platform support (macOS/Windows)
• Command palette integration
• Smart file handling with auto-cleanup
• Configurable settings

License

This extension is provided as-is for personal and commercial use.

Contributing

Found a bug or have a feature request? Open a PR!

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Enjoy scripting with After Effects directly from VS Code! 🎬✨