Frustrating Search for Simple Window Management App
I'm trying to find a simple, easy to use, app that will allow me to choose the app I want to arrange, choose the 1st or 2nd monitor, and choose the part of the window (or full screen) that I want the app to open in. No keyboard shortcuts, no Apple script,…
I'm trying to find a simple, easy to use, app that will allow me to choose the app I want to arrange, choose the 1st or 2nd monitor, and choose the part of the window (or full screen) that I want the app to open in. No keyboard shortcuts, no Apple script, just a simple app that, for example, will always open safari on my second monitor in full screen. Why is this so difficult? I have Moom, Magnet, & BetterSnapTool, but I have been overwhelmed with complicated preference screens of all of them. Do any of you know of an app that presents 3 questions: Which app do you want to work with to assign a screen location? (presents a drop-down apps listing to the user, where you can choose the app) Which Monitor do you want to the app to open in? (presents a dialog box with a large button for each possible monitor, user clicks monitor he/she wants the app to open in) Which part of the screen do you want the app to appear in? (user drags a box, and clicks OK) If I knew how to write apps, I think I'd try to write one that did those three things, but was simple enough for my grandmother to use. Any suggestions on a windows management app that comes close? Thanks in advance!
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you don't need 3rd party software for this — macOS has the functionality baked in. - add the app to your dock - right-click it, and choose a display in the `Assign To` subheading - the app will open in the same size/position as it was when you last closed it optionally, you can then remove the app's icon from the dock if you don't want it there permanently.
Well, it's nice looking, but just about as confusing as every other app I've tried. For example, I choose Smart Profiles. It shows the screen below. I had no idea I was creating a workspace, for let's say there was a menu choice that asked if I wanted to create a workspace. It doesn't say how to save a profile anyplace I can find. It would be nice to see a "Save this profile", or "Save this as a profile". Do you know how I can save a profile?
😆 Totally agree! I love that developers work so hard to make the apps so customizable, but there are those of us who want as few bells and whistles as possible. Thanks for your reply!
Thanks! But "desktop on Display 2", for example, doesn't tell me much. I'm using an app called "SpaceJump" (https://www.getspacejump.com/) that allows me to name the displays and desktop, but it still isn't too intuitive. I've tried the macOS system many times, but always end up frustrated. But thanks for the reply!
Thanks! But "desktop on Display 2", for example, doesn't tell me much. I'm using an app called "SpaceJump" (https://www.getspacejump.com/) that allows me to name the displays and desktop, but it still isn't too intuitive. I've tried the macOS system many times, but always end up frustrated. But thanks for the reply!
Wow, looks very promising! I will check it out today, and yes - I think you nailed it about Moom's features being hard to find and use. Thanks for the Stay suggestion! 🍻
Thanks, and it works fine for a single monitor or two, but unless you know of a way, I can't set apps to open in different desktops. I can set Safari to open in a Built-in Monitor, Desktop 1 for example, but can't find a way to set it to open in Monitor 1, Desktop 2. Same with my external monitor...I can set an app to open on Desktop 3, but not Desktop 4. Spencer does, so I've been using that.
Thanks, but I just tried it. I'm thinking I need something that is out of my capabilities to set up, like Keyboard Maestro or Apple Script. Here is an example of what I would want, if I knew a way to do it: When I open Orion Browser, it ALWAYS opens on my Desktop 4, which is the second desktop, on my external monitor. I've tried Spencer, Lattix, and many others. Spencer and Lattix worked once or twice, but then it goes back to me opening Orion, and it opens on Desktop 1 on my built in monitor. Am I wishing for the impossible? I want to assign an app to a certain window, on a certain monitor, and onto a specific desktop space, 100% of the time. So far, Spencer and Lattix are the closest, but why they only last a few sessions is beyond me.
That being said, (my reply below this one) I'd like to suggest the solution I found and am using: Spencer (https://macspencer.app) I'm not affilated, or don't get any kickbacks for suggesting them, but this is what I know now: all I have to do is set up the apps I want, in the spaces I want, on the monitors I want...save it, and then call it up anytime I want. I have Safari in a full screen on Monitor 2, on Desktop 2, maximized. I have Orion Browser in a full screen on Monitor 2, on Desktop 3, maximized. And I have Proton Mail in a full screen on Monitor 1, on Desktop 1, maximized. When I turn on the computer, all I have to do is click up to the menubar, click on the "Safari, Orion, Proton Mail" layout that I've saved and choose, Restore Layout, and bingo! All three apps are opened as I left them. No keyboard shortcut required (although you can assign one, if you're into keyboard shortcuts), no applescript, nothing extra. 👵🏼 Something my grandmother could use! 😆 I hope this helps!
Try using Lattix, I would recommend it. I have used it and it has boosted my productivity.
Well, three weeks later, and still no solution. Oh, how I wish what you said is true, that macOS has the functionality baked in. I'll attach what I see when I right-click the dock. Where is Desktop 4 showing in those options? Your guess is as good as mine, yet I have Orion clearly opened on Desktop 4. I'm beyond frustrated, and think the only possibility to set it up, like with Keyboard Maestro or Apple Script or Automator, are what is needed, and I just don't have the skills, I guess.
EasySnaps window manager can sort of do this with smart profiles. You snap the app into the region you want it in then save the profile. When you open it back up with one command an overlay will pop up on each monitor for you to choose where to apply the profile. It does have other fancy stuff too but you can dm me and I’ll send you a license if you like the free trial. https://easysnaps.org/window-manager/ Edit: how to make a profile https://easysnaps.org/how-to/
Make sure this option is turned off. For a while, I was struggling with always repositioning apps after opening them until I found this!
Have you tried just using the built in macOS feature from the top comment here? Right clicking the dock icon and assigning it to a specific display is genuinely the simplest path if you just want an app to always open on monitor 2 in full screen.
i love rectangle. in the same boat like you, hate too many options
Stay by Cordless Dog is purpose-built for exactly this — you pick where each app's window should live on which monitor, it remembers, and it restores automatically. No keyboard shortcuts, no AppleScript, no grid palettes. Just "Safari always goes fullscreen on monitor 2" and it does. cordlessdog.com/stay — been around forever and still maintained. Moom's "Custom" snapshots do something similar but the feature is buried behind its shortcut-heavy UI, which sounds like what overwhelmed you.
What you are describing looks exactly like what I built some time ago: https://thelasso.app
Raycast has very powerful window management stuff.. try that?
Aerospace would be a potential candidate
Honestly, you should just use Rectangle. It is the absolute gold standard for window management on Mac. It's free, open-source, and does exactly what you need without bloating the menu bar or asking for crazy permissions. Sometimes simple is just better!
Honestly, same frustration here. I tried Magnet, Yabai, Amethyst, and stuff like that, but ended up just sticking with the free open-source Rectangle. It’s lightweight, handles like 90% of what I need pretty well, and doesn’t bug me at all. For me, sometimes simple is just better, y’know, no need to overcomplicate. If you’re fed up with memorizing shortcuts though, check out Loop—it’s free and open source on GitHub. Got this visual radial menu for snapping windows, super intuitive kinda thing. Eh, it sorta changed how I juggle screens for me, without wrecking my fingers.
Check out StackWM. It lets you create custom zones for you windows and then stack windows within those zones and easily scroll through them for the window you need. It’s cooler than I make it sound. stackwm.org
I’ve been using Rectangle for a while and it’s honestly the best balance between simplicity and functionality.
Rectangle
I made a window management app that lets you simply one click to let AI do the window management and context management for you, you can write your own custom instructions telling AI exactly where each app goes. and i'm working on a big update on the AI feature to give users even more freedom and features, might be worth a try. https://BetterStage.app