Checkpoints

Checkpoints automatically save your After Effects project state as Atom works. If something goes wrong or you want to try a different direction, restore to any previous point instantly.

How Checkpoints Work

Atom captures checkpoints automatically:

  • Before each change – A hidden checkpoint saves the project state before Atom applies any script
  • After each change – A visible checkpoint appears in the chat timeline after successful changes

You don’t need to do anything. Checkpoints happen in the background as you work.

Restoring a Checkpoint

Click any checkpoint bubble in the chat timeline to restore your project to that state.

If you have unsaved changes when restoring, Atom asks what to do:

  • Save first – Saves the project and creates a checkpoint before reverting
  • Discard – Reverts without saving current changes
  • Cancel – Stays where you are

Editing Messages

When you edit a previous message and re-run it, Atom automatically restores the checkpoint associated with that message before applying the new request. This keeps your project in sync with the conversation.

Branching

Branching creates a new conversation from any previous message. The original conversation stays intact, and the new branch starts from the checkpoint at that point.

What Gets Saved

Checkpoints capture the full After Effects project state—compositions, layers, properties, keyframes, expressions, and effects. It’s equivalent to saving and reopening the project file.

Disabling Checkpoints

Checkpoints are enabled by default. To disable:

  1. Open Settings (gear icon)
  2. Scroll to Features
  3. Toggle Checkpoints off

With checkpoints disabled, the timeline won’t show checkpoint bubbles and you won’t be able to restore previous states. Undo groups still work normally.