Coming from Pop!_OS: auto tiling on a Mac
Pop!_OS's COSMIC desktop tiles windows automatically with a toggle. What gives a Mac the same automatic arrangement, and what to expect from the keys.
Pop!_OS, from System76, has automatic tiling built into its desktop: turn it on and new windows split the screen, with keys to move focus and windows. macOS has no automatic tiling, but apps add it.
On a Mac
| Pop!_OS | On a Mac |
|---|---|
| Auto tiling toggle | A tiling app such as AeroSpace or Amethyst, or ClutterFreeMac's strip |
| Super and arrows to move focus | ⌃ ⌥ and arrows in ClutterFreeMac |
| Floating exceptions | Per app Always float rules |
| Workspaces | Spaces |
One difference worth knowing: automatic tiling divides the screen, so every new window shrinks the others. A scrolling layout gives each window a column at a sensible width and lets the strip run past the edge. If you liked Pop's tiling but not how small windows got, see scrolling vs tiling.
Questions
Does macOS have auto tiling like Pop!_OS?
No. Window manager apps add it: AeroSpace and Amethyst tile, and ClutterFreeMac arranges windows on a scrolling strip.
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