yabai

Website

github.com

$ Details

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Categories

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

i3

Website

i3wm.org

$ Details

Categories

#Window Manager #Linux #Open Source #Utilities

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.

i3 features and specs

• Efficient Window Management
  i3 allows for highly efficient window management using a tree data structure, making it easy to snap windows into grids and manage multiple applications simultaneously.
• Lightweight
  i3 is deliberately simplistic and lightweight, which allows it to run efficiently on older hardware or systems with limited resources.
• Customizability
  Users can extensively customize keybindings and behavior through a plain text configuration file. This allows for a personalized workflow.
• Keyboard-Centric
  i3 is designed to be used primarily through keyboard shortcuts, which can lead to increased productivity for advanced users.
• Scriptability
  i3 supports various scripting languages through its IPC (Inter-process Communication) interface, enabling automation of complex workflows.
• Community and Documentation
  i3 has strong community support and extensive documentation, making it easier for new users to learn and troubleshoot issues.

Possible disadvantages of i3

• Steep Learning Curve
  New users may find i3 difficult to learn and configure, especially if they are accustomed to traditional desktop environments.
• Lack of GUI Configuration Tools
  i3 relies heavily on manual edits to text files for configuration, lacking user-friendly graphical interfaces for setup and customization.
• Limited Out-of-the-Box Features
  i3 does not come with many built-in features available in more comprehensive desktop environments, such as app launchers or system tray support, requiring additional setups.
• Compatibility Issues
  Some applications may not play well with tiling window managers like i3, requiring workarounds or alternative software choices.
• Minimal Default Appearance
  Without customization, i3 offers a very minimalistic and barebones visual experience, which may not be appealing to all users.

Yabai Demonstration

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