xmonad on a Mac: the closest options
xmonad does not run on macOS. Which Mac window managers feel closest, how its master and stack layout maps across, and what a scrolling strip changes.
xmonad does not run on macOS. It manages X11 windows on Linux and BSD. On a Mac, the window manager has to work through macOS's own windows, so the options are apps built for that.
Closest matches
| If you liked | On a Mac |
|---|---|
| The master and stack layout | Amethyst, which was inspired by xmonad |
| Workspaces bound to keys | AeroSpace |
| Keyboard everything | Any of these, or ClutterFreeMac with H J K L |
Master and stack, as a strip
In xmonad the master window takes the big area and the rest share the stack. On a ClutterFreeMac strip, give your main window a wide column (⌃ ⌥ R to cycle widths) and put related windows in one column as a stack with ⌃ ⌥ ]. Nothing is squeezed: windows that do not fit wait on the strip. See master and stack explained.
Questions
Can I run xmonad on a Mac?
Not as your Mac's window manager. It works with X11 on Linux and BSD. Amethyst offers similar layouts on macOS.
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