01Why it exists
The Effects & Presets panel means scrolling through nested categories, hunting for an effect you know exists but can't remember where it lives — and it breaks your flow every time you reach for it.
Apply puts a fast, searchable launcher a keystroke away. Type a few letters, hit enter, and the effect is on your selected layer.
02How it works
Open the launcher
Hit the hotkey from anywhere in After Effects.
Type to search
Fuzzy search across every built-in and third-party effect you have installed.
Apply
Hit enter to drop it on your selected layer. No panel switching.
Build shortcuts
Pin the effects you reach for most so they're one keystroke away, permanently.
03Features
Free
That's it.
- Search and apply any installed effect
- Fuzzy search across categories
- Works with third-party plugins
- Pin favorite effects to instant hotkeys
- Recent and most-used effect history
- No account, no license
04Details
- Compatibility
- After Effects 2023 to 2026
- Platform
- Windows and macOS
- License
- Free, no license required
- Install
- Signed ZXP, drop-in panel
- Download and run the ClutchApply installer (signed ZXP).
- Launch After Effects. Find it under Window > Extensions > Clutch Apply.
- That's it — no sign-in, no account, no license to enter.