Coming from GNOME: window management on a Mac
Super key overview, half tiling, dynamic workspaces. What GNOME users miss on a Mac, the closest macOS equivalents, and how to get a calmer layout.
GNOME users moving to a Mac usually miss three things: the Activities overview on one key, Super and an arrow for half tiling, and workspaces that appear as you need them.
The closest Mac equivalents
| In GNOME | On a Mac |
|---|---|
| Activities overview (Super) | Mission Control: ⌃ ↑ or swipe up |
| Super and Left or Right | fn ⌃ ← or → on macOS 15 |
| Super and Up (maximise) | fn ⌃ F |
| Dynamic workspaces | Spaces, added in Mission Control |
| Super and Page Up or Down | ⌃ ← and → between Spaces |
| Tiling extensions | A window manager such as ClutterFreeMac |
If you used a tiling extension
Many GNOME users add tiling through extensions. On a Mac, ClutterFreeMac fills that role as a normal app with a settings window. Its strip of columns will feel familiar if you tried PaperWM, which began as a GNOME extension. See PaperWM for Mac.
Questions
What is the Mac equivalent of GNOME Activities?
Mission Control, opened with `⌃` `↑` or a swipe up with three or four fingers.
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