after-effects-cep-panel

Develops and debugs CEP HTML/JS panels for Adobe After Effects with ExtendScript bridges.

4|Updated Feb 5, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/ki2pixel/After-Effects-Scripts-Plugins-Bundle --skill after-effects-cep-panel-ki2pixel
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: after-effects-cep-panel
Source: https://github.com/ki2pixel/After-Effects-Scripts-Plugins-Bundle/tree/main/.windsurf/skills/after-effects-cep-panel
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/ki2pixel/After-Effects-Scripts-Plugins-Bundle --skill after-effects-cep-panel-ki2pixel

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Building and maintaining CEP (Common Extensibility Platform) extensions for Adobe After Effects involves complex manifest configuration, client-host communication, and Python bridge integration that is difficult to debug without structured guidance. ## Core Features & Use Cases - CEP Panel Development: Guides creation of manifest.xml, client HTML/CSS/JS interfaces, and ExtendScript host logic for After Effects panels. - Hybrid 2.0 Bridge Integration: Implements PyShiftBridge/PyShiftAE communication patterns with adaptive transport (named pipes, sockets, mailbox JSON fallback) and validated Python handlers. - Debugging & Diagnostics: Provides complete checklists for manifest validation, installation verification, console testing, and common failure resolution. - Use Case: When your CEP extension does not appear in After Effects or client-host communication fails, use this Skill to systematically validate the manifest, installation path, and evalScript calls. ## Quick Start Help me debug why my CEP extension panel is not appearing in After Effects after installation.

Frequently Asked Questions about after-effects-cep-panel

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I create a CEP extension panel for After Effects?

Create a directory with CSXS/manifest.xml declaring the AEFT host, a client folder with index.html and CSInterface.js, and a host folder with ExtendScript logic. Install it in the Adobe CEP extensions folder and enable debug mode in After Effects.

How to communicate between CEP client JavaScript and ExtendScript?

Use csInterface.evalScript() from the client to call host ExtendScript functions with JSON-serialized parameters. For host-to-client messaging, dispatch CSXSEvent objects with typed event names and JSON payloads.

Why is my CEP extension not showing up in After Effects?

Missing panels usually result from invalid manifest XML, wrong installation path, or disabled debug mode. Validate the manifest syntax, confirm the extension folder is under Adobe/CEP/extensions, enable debugging in After Effects, and restart the application.

Can CEP panels call Python scripts from After Effects?

Yes, through a bridge architecture like PyShiftBridge using named pipes or sockets with a mailbox JSON fallback. The ExtendScript host sends requests to a Python daemon that routes them to registered handlers with argument validation and coercion.

What After Effects versions support CEP extensions?

CEP extensions with manifest version 5.0 support After Effects 2023 (v24.0) and later, with host version ranges like [13.0,99.9] covering broader compatibility. CEP Runtime 6.0+ is required on the system.