Frequently asked questions
The questions new users ask most. If something is broken rather than confusing, jump to Troubleshooting instead.
Setup and accounts
Do I need a developer account or any coding experience?+
No. You will create a free account with at least one AI provider (Anthropic, OpenAI, or Google), generate an API key, and paste it into Settings. The whole setup takes about two minutes. After that, you talk to the panel in natural language.
How much do API calls cost?+
The AI providers charge for usage, but generating expressions and scriptlets is inexpensive, typically pennies a day for everyday use. Most providers ask you to add a few dollars in credits to get started.
Where are my API keys stored?+
Locally, on your machine, in the panel's localStorage. They are never sent to us. They are lightly obfuscated but not encrypted, so treat the panel like any other app you have signed into.
Can I use Sidekick without an internet connection?+
No. The panel calls the AI providers directly over HTTPS, so you need to be online for it to generate code. Once you have a generated expression or saved scriptlet, running and applying happens locally and works offline. A local-model option is on the wishlist.
Modes and workflow
What are the four modes for?+
Expression writes an expression onto the property you have selected. Scriptlet runs a quick action once or saves it to your Toolbar. Script creates a full .jsx for project-level work like batch rendering. Question just answers, no code applied. See Getting started for examples.
What's the difference between a scriptlet and a script?+
A scriptlet is a small, one-shot action you can save and re-run from the Toolbar (think "rename all selected layers"). A script is a full .jsx file for bigger jobs like batch rendering or auditing an entire project. Save a script and run it from File > Scripts > Run Script File….
How do I select things for the panel to work on?+
Click a layer, a property, or several properties in the timeline. The panel reads your AE selection automatically and shows it as a selection summary right under the mode selector. The AI uses that selection as context when generating code.
My selection keeps drifting while I tweak my prompt.+
Click + Load selection in the chat header. That pins your current AE selection so you can keep iterating on the prompt without losing focus. Click the ✕ to unpin when you are done.
Can I apply an expression to many layers at once?+
Yes. Cmd or Ctrl-click multiple properties in the timeline and ask something like wiggle all selected properties subtly. The Apply button shows a checklist of everything targeted so you can toggle individual properties off before applying.
Why does undoing a multi-target apply take so many presses?+
Each property currently lands in its own undo group, so undo requires one press per property. A batched-undo fix is on the roadmap.
Expression controls and rigging
How do "+ Add Slider" buttons work?+
When the AI generates an expression that depends on a control (a slider, color picker, angle, checkbox, etc.), it offers an + Add Slider (or similar) button in the chat. Click those first, they create the controls on your layer. Then click Apply to push the expression that references them.
Apply failed with a syntax error. What now?+
Read the AI's instructions printed below the code box. The most common cause is a missing control: the expression expects a Slider you have not added yet, or it references a layer name that does not exist in your comp. Add the missing piece and try again.
Apply does nothing when I click it. What's wrong?+
Make sure you have a property selected (like Position or Scale), not just a layer name. Apply needs a target property to write the expression onto.
Toolbar and saved scriptlets
Where do saved scriptlets live?+
On disk, inside your AE Scripts folder. Both Sidekick and the Toolbar read that file, so scriptlets you save in one panel show up in the other within about two seconds.
How do I edit or delete a saved scriptlet?+
Hover the scriptlet row in the Toolbar panel. Edit and delete buttons appear.
A scriptlet on my Toolbar failed. How do I see what went wrong?+
The row flashes red with a brief tooltip. The ⚡ Open Helper button at the bottom of the Toolbar also turns red. Click it to jump back to the chat, where the full error is shown in a banner.
Can I run any old .jsx snippet I have lying around?+
Yes. In the Toolbar's bottom row, click { } Quick run to paste and execute raw .jsx code without saving it.
Performance and behavior
The first prompt of the day feels slow. Is something wrong?+
No, this is normal. AI models cold-start, so the first call may take a few extra seconds. Follow-up prompts are snappy.
Can I switch models without changing my default?+
Yes. There is a model dropdown next to the Send button. Pick a different model for any single prompt without touching your Settings default.
How do I close the panel?+
Use AE's native panel × button at the top of the panel, or right-click the panel tab and choose Close Panel. The Toolbar's "Open Helper" button can open the chat but cannot close it.
Privacy and safety
Does Sidekick send my AE project to the AI?+
The panel sends a structured summary of your current selection and your prompt to the AI provider. It does not upload your .aep file, footage, or renders.
Can my API key be stolen by another extension?+
Keys live in CEP localStorage for the panel. They are lightly obfuscated, not encrypted. Don't share screenshots that show the Settings panel with key fields visible, and don't paste keys into untrusted websites or chat apps.
What happens if I rotate or revoke a key?+
Open Settings, paste the new key over the old one (or clear the field and paste). Revoked keys will start failing on the next call. Sidekick will surface the provider's error message.
Bugs, beta, and feedback
I found a bug or AE crashed. What should I report?+
Send us:
- Your prompt (copy and paste it)
- The mode you were in (Expression / Scriptlet / Script / Question)
- What you had selected when you submitted
- What you expected vs. what happened
- Which AI provider and model you were using
- A screenshot if possible
If AE crashed entirely, also include the last thing you clicked before the crash. The more concrete the repro, the faster we can fix it.
Is Sidekick still beta?+
Yes. Things may occasionally break, and your bug reports directly shape the next release.