Aerospace Is Probably The Best
MacOS Tiling Manager I’ve Ever Used
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Managing multiple windows on a Mac can feel like playing a never-ending game of Tetris - constantly dragging, resizing, and hunting for that one window buried beneath layers of others. This feeling of constantly resorting to the mouse makes me itchy, and I've found the cure.
The typical solution?
Most Mac users resort to Mission Control, multiple desktops, or ultra-wide monitors. Some even try complex setups with multiple displays.
I’ve been there - from dual monitors to a massive 49-inch ultrawide, searching for the perfect setup. But these solutions often create more problems than they solve, adding complexity without addressing the core issue of efficient window management.
There's also Yabai, a more than capable solution, similar to what I'm about to show you next. But for me, Yabai is a bit complicated, the configuration is somewhat messy, and an overall feeling of lack of control instead of the opposite.
This is where Aerospace comes in.
Think of it as bringing the power of terminal-style window management to your entire macOS experience.
A Tmux for MacOS if you will.
As someone who had done everything in my power to configure my Tmux to the max, built plugins and added every possible tool to make my terminal setup close to perfect, it's embarassing to think I hadn't done anything about the mess outside of it.
With simple keyboard shortcuts (like Alt + vim keys for moving between tiles) and intelligent space management, Aerospace smooths (smoothens?) up your workflow.
What sets it apart is its intuitive approach - no complex configurations needed. Windows automatically tile themselves, spaces are easily managed with keyboard shortcuts, and you can even create custom layouts that persist across sessions.
Don't want your messaging app to be tiled like the others? No problem, Aerospace will catch it you with simple configuration. Want to pop a tile out to make it floating? Maybe through it back in? Resize, fullscreen, whatever it is, Aerospace does it, with ease.
Here’s how to get started:
Install Aerospace using the packacge manager of your choice. Given that you’re a Mac user (Or a very angry Linux user if you got this far).. brew install --cask nikitabobko/tap/aerospace and start with basic commands like Alt + arrow keys to move between windows.
Create different spaces for different tasks (like coding, note taking, and communication), and use Alt + number or any A-Z character if you haven’t changed the defaults, to switch between them.
The real game-changer is the ability to create “modes” - custom sets of keyboard shortcuts for different workflows.
From the original documentation by Felix Krause, creator of SketchyBar (a recommended Aerospace companion):
“Aerospace is designed to feel natural on macOS while bringing the power of tiling window management to your workflow. It’s not about forcing a Linux-style environment onto macOS, but rather enhancing the native experience.”
Want to take it further?
Pair Aerospace with SketchyBar for visual workspace management and Janky Borders for clear window focus indication. These additions transform macOS from a basic window management system into a productivity powerhouse that feels both powerful and natural to use.
Thanks for reading! As always, feel free to reply directly with thoughts, questions and ideas.
Have a great weekend!
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