Explore Operator
Introduction

Getting started

Welcome to Operator

Describe the change you want. Operator works inside After Effects to help you build, animate and refine your project — with editable layers, keyframes and expressions you can keep working on.

Start here

  1. Install Operator. Add the panel to After Effects. Installation
  2. Connect your AI. Sign in with a supported account or use an API key. Connect your AI
  3. Try a small change. Make your first title and animate it. Your first prompt

Operator includes the components needed for Claude Code and Codex. There is no separate command-line installation.

What can I ask it to do?

  • Create titles, shapes and layouts, then refine their motion.
  • Adjust timing, easing, colors and effects.
  • Rename and organize layers or project items.
  • Build expressions and explain existing ones.
  • Inspect a project before making a change.

Start with one clear task. Review the result in After Effects, then tell Operator what you would like to change next.

Two useful things to notice

The active comp pill. The small composition label above the chat shows the comp Operator has detected. Before sending a request, make sure it names the comp you intend to work in. To change the target, open that comp in After Effects and return to Operator. The pill is an indicator, not a composition picker.

Your selected layers. Select the layers in After Effects before writing your prompt. Operator receives selection context, so you can say, “Fade in only the selected layers over 12 frames.” Be explicit about what should stay unchanged, too.

Find your way around

  • New chat starts a fresh conversation; it does not reset your After Effects project.
  • Open the sidebar from the Operator logo to find recent chats.
  • Open the profile menu → Settings → AI to manage your connection and custom instructions.
  • Use profile menu → Keyboard shortcuts for the shortcuts available in the panel.

Stay in control

Understand checkpoints and undo

Operator is independent, not affiliated with or endorsed by Adobe Inc. "After Effects" is a trademark of Adobe Inc.

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