What It Does
Compstronaut adds browser-style back and forward buttons to After Effects. Every time you switch compositions or jump to a different timeline position, Compstronaut records it in an interactive history panel. Click any entry to instantly return to that comp and timecode, or use keyboard shortcuts to navigate backward and forward through your session.
Key Features
Browser-style history. Every composition switch and timeline jump gets logged automatically. The panel shows your full navigation trail with comp names and timecodes. Click any entry to jump back instantly.
Keyboard-driven navigation. Assign global shortcuts for moving backward and forward in your session history. Works with or without the panel visible, designed for fast keyboard-first workflows.
Stream Deck integration. Version 1.1 adds dedicated Stream Deck support with custom buttons for timeline navigation, composition jumping, and settings access. Button states update in real-time to show when navigation is available. Pre-configured profiles are included for Stream Deck Classic, Mini, XL, and Plus models. Requires Stream Deck software 6.6+.
Control Groups integration. Works alongside the developer’s Control Groups extension. Navigation events triggered in Control Groups (like jumping to bookmarked locations or navigating via layers) are tracked in Compstronaut’s history. Both extensions share the same floating notification system for visual and audio feedback.
Session persistence. Your navigation history persists between After Effects sessions and across different project files. Useful for switching between projects without losing context.
Configurable tracking. Adjust the sensitivity for tracking timeline position changes. Track all CTI (current time indicator) movements or only composition switches. Set the maximum number of history entries up to 150.
Audio and visual feedback. Optional sound cues and mouse-linked notifications for each navigation action. Comes with a bundled sound effects pack (Kalimba Bottle) or use your own custom sounds. All audio and visual feedback can be toggled per-action.
SB Shortcut Manager support. Includes a native C++ companion plugin for advanced global shortcut handling. Enables extension control via definable keyboard shortcuts without touching the mouse.
Who It’s For
Motion designers working with complex projects that involve frequent composition switching and timeline navigation. Particularly useful for nested comp workflows, client revisions, or any project where you need to move between multiple comps and time positions quickly. Pairs well with Control Groups for a complete navigation upgrade.
Pricing
Compstronaut costs $9.99 for a single-user license. A free trial is available. The price includes the CEP panel, SB Shortcut Manager plugin, Stream Deck plugin with device profiles, and the Kalimba Bottle sound effects pack. Compatible with After Effects 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 on macOS 13+ and Windows 10+.
