yabai

Website

github.com

Categories

#Window Manager #OSX Tools #OSX Window Manager #Mac Tools

Contexts

Website

contexts.co

Categories

#Mac #Window Manager #Note Taking #Productivity

yabai features and specs

• Efficient Window Management
  Yabai provides advanced tiling window management for macOS, greatly increasing productivity by allowing users to manage windows through keyboard shortcuts and layouts, minimizing the need for mouse interactions.
• Highly Customizable
  The software offers extensive configuration options, enabling users to personalize their window management experience according to their specific workflow and preferences.
• Open Source
  Being open source, Yabai is free to use and modify, allowing the community to contribute to its development and enhancement. This fosters a collaborative environment for improving the software.
• Supports Scripting
  Yabai supports scripting through AppleScript or shell commands, enabling users to automate complex workflows and integrate Yabai with other tools and applications seamlessly.
• Lightweight
  Yabai is designed to be a lightweight window manager, which means it consumes minimal system resources, ensuring that your Mac continues to run smoothly even with numerous active windows.

Possible disadvantages of yabai

• Steep Learning Curve
  For beginners, the configuration and use of Yabai can be daunting, requiring a significant amount of time and effort to fully understand and utilize its capabilities effectively.
• Requires SIP Disablement
  To utilize some of Yabai's more advanced features, users need to partially disable System Integrity Protection (SIP), which can reduce the overall security of the macOS system.
• Potential Compatibility Issues
  As macOS updates and changes, compatibility issues may arise, potentially breaking functionality. Users may need to wait for updates from the developer community to resolve these issues.
• Limited Official Support
  As an open-source project, Yabai does not come with official support channels. Users must rely on community forums and documentation, which may not always provide immediate or comprehensive assistance.
• Complex Configurations
  Setting up Yabai to fit specific needs can be complex and time-consuming, especially for users who are not familiar with scripting or advanced configuration files.

Contexts features and specs

• Intuitive Interface
  Contexts offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface that makes it easy for users to switch between different tasks and applications seamlessly.
• Productivity Enhancement
  With rapid window switching and organization, Contexts helps enhance productivity by reducing the time spent on finding and managing open applications.
• Keyboard Shortcuts
  The app supports customizable keyboard shortcuts, allowing users to navigate their open applications and tasks more efficiently.
• Compatibility
  Contexts is highly compatible with macOS and integrates well with other macOS workflows and applications.
• Search Functionality
  It provides a powerful search functionality that lets users quickly find and switch to any open window using just a few keystrokes.

Possible disadvantages of Contexts

• Limited to macOS
  Contexts is only available for macOS, which limits its utility for users who work across multiple operating systems such as Windows or Linux.
• Learning Curve
  While the interface is intuitive, new users may still require some time and practice to fully master the keyboard shortcuts and become accustomed to the workflow.
• Cost
  Contexts is a paid application, which might be a deterrent for users looking for free alternatives or those who are budget-conscious.
• Resource Usage
  Some users have reported that the application can be resource-intensive, which might affect the performance of older or less powerful Mac machines.
• Feature Limitations
  While it excels in window management, Contexts lacks some advanced features found in other productivity tools, such as integration with task management or project planning software.

Yabai Demonstration

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The Art of Discovering Bounded Contexts by Nick Tune

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