A Guide to Window Management: Tools, Techniques, and Philosophies

Finding the right window management solution is a deeply personal journey, as it sits at the core of how we interact with our computers. Workflows vary, and so do the tools and techniques people use to stay organized and productive. From simple snapping utilities to complex tiling managers and custom-built scripts, the ideal setup is the one that seamlessly fits your needs.

macOS: A Rich Ecosystem of Tools

macOS users have a wealth of options, blending native features with powerful third-party applications.

• Native Features: Many users rely heavily on macOS's built-in functionalities. Multiple Desktops (Spaces) are fundamental for separating workspaces, while Hot Corners provide a quick, mouse-based way to switch between apps and windows.
• Popular Third-Party Apps:
  • Moom: Frequently mentioned as an awesome and powerful tool for users who want fine-grained control over window positioning and custom layouts.
  • Magnet: A popular choice for those who want simple, intuitive window snapping by dragging windows to the edges or corners of the screen.
  • Rectangle: An open-source alternative to Magnet, offering similar functionality and serving as a base for custom modifications.
  • Witch: An app from Many Tricks (the creators of Moom) that enhances the Cmd-Tab app switcher, allowing users to switch directly to specific windows instead of just applications.

Custom and DIY Solutions

For those who find off-the-shelf software lacking, creating a personalized solution is a viable path. One developer modified an old version of Rectangle to create an app that shows dropzones directly at the mouse cursor, allowing them to "flick" a window into place without extra movement. Another wrote a custom app to enable moving windows with Command + Ctrl + Mouse Drag and resizing with Command + Shift + Ctrl, a common feature on Linux desktops that they brought to macOS.

Tiling Window Managers

For users who prefer an organized, keyboard-centric workflow where windows never overlap, tiling window managers are the answer. Notion was highlighted as a "tabbed, static tiling window manager," embodying the philosophy of "a place for everything and everything in its place." This approach minimizes mouse usage and ensures the screen real estate is always used efficiently.

Alternative Philosophies and Hardware Solutions

Not everyone is looking for a complex software solution. Some perspectives include:

• More Monitors: A straightforward and popular strategy is to increase screen real estate with multiple monitors. This physically separates applications, reducing the need for digital window management.
• Single-Task Focus: Some are perfectly content with the default floating window environment, often using just one application full-screen at a time and switching between them as needed.
• Developer-Centric Tools: Some tools, like Waveterm, are terminals that come with their own built-in session and window management features, catering specifically to a developer's workflow.

Ultimately, the discussion shows there is no single "best" way to manage windows. The ideal choice depends on your operating system, your reliance on the mouse versus the keyboard, and whether your workflow benefits from structured tiling or flexible floating windows.