Reference
Use Operator from Claude Desktop
Operator Connect lets Claude Desktop use Operator's tools with your open After Effects project. It is optional — you can keep using Operator's own chat without setting it up.
After Effects and the Operator panel must stay open while you use the connection.
1. Download the desktop extension
In Operator, open profile menu → Operator Connect, then choose Download extension.
The file is named Operator.mcpb. This is the Claude Desktop extension. It does not replace the .zxp installed in After Effects.
2. Add it to Claude Desktop
Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Extensions. Add the downloaded Operator.mcpb and enable it, following the app's prompts.
Use the supported Claude Desktop app, not a browser chat. If its settings layout differs, follow the current extension-installation controls in that app.
3. Turn on the connection
Return to Operator Connect and turn on Connection.
Keep Allow connected apps to edit off for your first test. With it off, the connected app can inspect the project but cannot use Operator's edit operations.
4. Try a read-only request
Start a new conversation in Claude Desktop and ask:
Prompt
Use Operator to describe the active After Effects composition and its layers. Do not change anything.Check that the response describes the project you have open.
5. Allow edits when you are ready
Save a disposable project or a separate version of your work. Turn on Allow connected apps to edit, then ask for a small, clearly scoped change.
Edits still require an active Operator trial or valid license. If the device is being verified, wait for the check to finish, then send a fresh request. An edit that was refused is not automatically replayed.
Two separate controls
- Turn off Allow connected apps to edit to keep inspection available but block edits through Operator.
- Turn off Connection to disconnect the external app from Operator.
These controls govern Operator's connection. They do not change permissions for unrelated tools you have enabled in Claude Desktop.
Accounts, instructions and privacy
Claude Desktop uses its own AI account, settings and usage limits. Operator's custom instructions are not forwarded to it.
The link between the desktop extension and Operator runs locally on your computer. That does not make the AI conversation offline: Claude Desktop may send prompts and tool results to its provider under that app's settings and policies.
Operator is independent, not affiliated with or endorsed by Adobe Inc. "After Effects" is a trademark of Adobe Inc.