Amethyst

Overview of Amethyst

Amethyst is a powerful tiling window manager for macOS that brings the efficiency of Linux window management tools like xmonad to Apple's operating system. This free and open-source utility automatically organizes your application windows into non-overlapping tiles, maximizing screen real estate and eliminating the manual window resizing that plagues traditional desktop environments. Whether you're a developer juggling multiple code editors and terminals, a designer working with various creative tools, or a power user managing numerous applications simultaneously, Amethyst transforms your workflow by intelligently arranging windows based on customizable layouts. The tool integrates seamlessly with macOS's native Spaces feature while providing keyboard-driven navigation that dramatically enhances productivity for users who prefer keeping their hands on the keyboard, making it a valuable Accessibility Tool.

As a comprehensive Window Manager solution, Amethyst offers extensive customization through configuration files and supports multiple layout algorithms that automatically adapt to your workspace needs. The software requires macOS 10.15 or later and operates as a background application that intercepts window management commands to provide its tiling functionality. Unlike many macOS productivity tools that focus on individual applications, Amethyst takes a system-level approach to window organization, making it particularly valuable for users who work with multiple monitors or frequently switch between different workspace configurations throughout their workday.

How to Use Amethyst

Getting started with Amethyst involves downloading the application either directly from the official releases page or via Homebrew cask, followed by granting necessary accessibility permissions in System Preferences under Privacy & Security settings. After installation, users should disable the "Automatically rearrange Spaces based on most recent use" option in Mission Control preferences to ensure predictable keyboard navigation between workspaces. The window manager operates primarily through keyboard shortcuts using two main modifier key combinations (mod1 and mod2), with optional support for two additional modifiers (mod3 and mod4) for advanced users. Configuration can be managed through a YAML file in your home directory, allowing precise control over layouts, shortcuts, and window behavior to match your specific workflow requirements.

Core Features of Amethyst

1. Multiple Layout Algorithms – Supports Tall, Wide, Column, Row, BSP, and 10+ other arrangement patterns
2. Keyboard-Driven Navigation – Comprehensive shortcut system using modifier keys for all window operations
3. Custom Configuration – YAML-based settings file for personalized layout cycling and behavior tuning
4. Space Management – Seamless integration with macOS Spaces for multi-desktop workflows
5. Floating Window Mode – Temporary disable tiling for precise manual window positioning when needed

Use Cases for Amethyst

• Software developers managing multiple code editors and terminal windows
• Data analysts working with spreadsheets, visualization tools, and documentation
• Content creators organizing design software, browsers, and asset libraries
• Researchers comparing documents, data sets, and analysis applications
• System administrators monitoring multiple servers and management consoles
• Students organizing research materials, writing tools, and reference applications
• Remote workers managing communication apps alongside productivity software

Support and Contact

For questions, troubleshooting, or feedback, contact contact@ianyh.com or join the community on Gitter. Users can access installation guides, configuration tutorials, and community support through the official GitHub repository where contributors actively address issues and feature requests.

Company Info

Amethyst is an open-source project maintained by developer Ian Henderson and community contributors. For more information, visit the project homepage. The project welcomes contributions through GitHub to enhance functionality and fix bugs.

Login and Signup

Amethyst requires no account creation or signup. Download the software from the official releases page or via Homebrew cask, then start using it immediately without registration.