Readit News logoReadit News
Posted by u/emadda a year ago
Show HN: Robata, macOS window selector: put it on the grillrobata.app...
Hello HN,

This is a macOS app that allows you to see all your open windows on each monitor and select the one you want.

It also lets you view the current state of things like email or chat windows, terminal processes, and more.

You can use "cmd" and the key above the tab key for alt-tab like behaviour.

You can also toggle the UI by resting a finger on the corner of your trackpad.

I also wrote some dev details here:

https://madebyenzo.com/#robata

lwouis · a year ago
Hi OP,

I'm the author of AltTab (https://alt-tab-macos.netlify.app/), a popular window switcher for macOS, imitating Windows famous alt+tab shortcut. I know for a fact how hard it is to implement what you did. It looks very nice, well done!

I see you ran into the issue of not being able to detect windows from other Spaces. Apple introduced it in macOS 12.2. If you're curious, you can see the vast efforts we've deployed trying to find a workaround: https://github.com/lwouis/alt-tab-macos/issues/1324. I wish some retro-engineering genius would solve this. We haven't been lucky so far. Of course Apple could fix this all in an instant with a new API, but that's very unlikely to happen.

Thank you

odux · a year ago
I am an occasional alt tab user and it is a great product. Thanks for building it. I am reasonably used to MacOS window management behavior but I still need something like alt tab once a while, that’s why it keeps running in the background.

I also really appreciate the partnership and open attitude your comment above demonstrates, and that to a potential‘competitor’.

emptiestplace · a year ago
Are you familiar with the change Apple made to app stack ordering where cmd+h no longer deprioritizes the window resulting in the wonderful cmd+h cmd+tab agghhhhhh cmd+h cmd+tab cmd+tab rage fest I haven't been able to stop inflicting upon myself every three seconds for years? I have yet to find a third-party app that fixes this. :)
whatever1 · a year ago
This is what I don't understand. Ok apple does not care or does not want to spend resources on the window management mess of MacOS for whatever reason (iOS is more important, MacOS does not bring services revenue etc)

Just open the API for the 3rd party developers to fix your mess!

Terretta · a year ago
> open the API for the 3rd party developers

Coincidentally, after 10 years, and 100 releases of 0.9, HammerSpoon just released 1.0 in August 2024:

Hammerspoon is a bridge between the operating system and a Lua scripting engine. What gives Hammerspoon its power is a set of extensions that expose specific pieces of system functionality, to the user.

You can write Lua code that interacts with macOS APIs for applications, windows, mouse pointers, filesystem objects, audio devices, batteries, screens, low-level keyboard/mouse events, clipboards, location services, wifi, and more.

http://www.hammerspoon.org/

ochronus · a year ago
These comments are one of the big reasons I love the HN community. Respect!
goriv · a year ago
TIL macOS does not have alt+tab, how do you switch windows quickly?
slater · a year ago
CMD+tilde cycles through the current app's open windows.
pssdbt · a year ago
It does not, we have to use cmd+tab :(
mcint · a year ago
I guess there's filtering for something beside interest in the functionality, 55s into a 1m44s video before seeing the interface is not good.

The concept sells itself for those interested. Instead of just twitter, in 3 Windows in each of 4 Spaces, apps (or at least differing websites) with matched purposes, or themed background colors, should be used for the demo. Don't bury the lede -- more than halfway into the video introducing it.

1) show what it offers, 2) show how apple's native spaces falls short.

I think people can give spaces names, so showing that name might help with maintaining their workflows.

Time-cost costs users, costs revenue. Good luck!

avree · a year ago
Just to make this feedback a little more constructive (I agree) - I suggest starting the demo video at 0:46/1:44 (the line beginning with "So, if I touch the bottom left corner of my trackpad...").

It's obvious to the viewer that these are windows being shown, in my opinion - you can start right off with the invoke interaction and go into the demo.

egypturnash · a year ago
Spaces can't be named except with third-party hacks that require turning off System Integrity Protection to install and use.
mcint · a year ago
Good catch, shows what I know.

Could be a good feature: have the reminder titles even if it's only in-app.

jaimehrubiks · a year ago
One thing that I hate about MacOs is that the Windows Expose (which is the mode that shows all windows of the current application) spans across all desktops, and that cannot be changed.

So this app (by default) does exactly what I dislike about that behavior, mixing desktops. Which makes sense, as people have different preferences.

However, is there a setting that allows it to show only windows of the current desktop? (Essentially mimicking Mission Control) And, if so, is there also a setting that allows you to display ONLY the windows of the current application?

If you allow those 2 settings (and better with different shortcuts) you'll essentially meet the needs and preference of most users!

mastercheif · a year ago
“Application Windows” is an option in Misson Control for Expose. I have it set up as a hot corner.
a2dam · a year ago
This is sweet, but the demo video is a little tough to see in vertical orientation. I agree with the other poster -- an animation (with a normal horizontal view) or similar would be really helpful in getting the point across sooner. Great app though! Sorely missing from the OS.
nsonha · a year ago
Maybe acidental but the vertical orientation makes it better on mobile view.
whatever1 · a year ago
Would be nice if the license allowed a few more machines under the same email. 1 per Mac serial number is too permissive. I break my Mac, do I buy again the software?
c-c-c-c-c · a year ago
A $29 yearly subscription for a window management app, you have got to be kidding me.
talldayo · a year ago
Well somebody has to cover Apple's $99/year developer fee.
simonhamp · a year ago
Looks really good and keen to try it out! One thing I've been itching for for ages is a way to name spaces... if I could put a label at the top of each column, I'd be all over this!
ranguna · a year ago
1piece feels a bit cleaner https://app1piece.com/