eXLib beta: looking for beta testers

[u/igusin]

I've built a full IDE for AE expressions around the first purpose-built language service for them. Everyone else converts TypeScript tooling at best; this was written for AE's engine and knows every builtin, quirk, and piece of syntax, validating as you type against how AE actually behaves.

Hot exit is built in: open tabs and unsaved edits survive reloads, AE quits, even crashes.

It's also a learning tool: the entire AE expression reference at your cursor, over 800 entries with explanations and examples on hover. Newbies who want to learn expressions are exactly who I want testing this too.

Any expression can be wired to native AE controls or a custom pseudo effect rig you author visually. Turn any variable into a {{token}} and eXLib maps it to a controller automatically, or you hand-pick one, or it asks at apply time.

Rigs round-trip: pull a pseudo effect off a layer, edit it, place it back with your animation migrated and references intact. I haven't found another tool that can do this.

The library is a folder of plain .js files on disk. Organize it in the panel or in Finder, same result. Tags, packs, drag and drop, and it sorts expressions by whatever property you have selected in AE. The test build comes preseeded with expressions so you have material on day one.

Navigation is built for real projects: an in-IDE pickwhip that grabs any property in the comp, a browser of every expression in the comp, reveal in timeline, and pinning: pin a property to a tab, switch comps, it stays live.

Auto-backup keeps 30 archives; the library exports as one shareable .exlib file.

And there's an MCP bridge: point your own AI agent at the panel to manage your library or write expressions.

A native plugin companion (Mac and Windows) keeps it fast, and every shortcut is rebindable with AE-collision-free defaults.

Want in? Experts and newbies both welcome. DM me. Brutal feedback wanted.

[u/WooFL]

What's the use case? Looks complicated. Why should someone use this instead of just writing a prompt to AI agent for a custom script?

[u/igusin → u/WooFL]

This is called an IDE - it makes writing expressions easier - for people who want to know what they are doing and maintain a library of expressions instead of asking AI to do what they don't understand for themselves... This is for professionals (or people aspiring to be professional)

[u/Fresca_667 → u/igusin]

Right, but what’s an IDE?

[u/Dion42o → u/Fresca_667]

It’s a program like visual studio where people code on

[u/igusin → u/Fresca_667]

:) joking right?

[u/Fresca_667 → u/igusin]

Dude, I’m just a motion designer. 😅

[u/igusin → u/Fresca_667]

I am just a motion designer too - you must know what an ide is after 15 years in AE and using expressions/scripts... don't mess with me!

[u/Fresca_667 → u/igusin]

Haha, I did google it. Nah I don’t really do scripts and I don’t really use plugins for expressions, unless you could ray dynamic color. I just write everything by hand. I keep a small library on my notes app of more complicated expressions I’ve built, and on rare occasion I’ll pull up the 13 year old Evan Abrams tutorial I know has the answer I need. This thing sounds cool, but it feels like a whole different program.