asmvik/yabai
Yabai
Yabai is a system-level utility for macOS that provides automated window management and workspace organization. It functions as a tiling window manager that uses binary space partitioning to arrange application windows into grid layouts, bypassing standard desktop constraints through direct interaction with the system window server.
The project distinguishes itself by offering granular control over the graphical user interface via a socket-based command interface and event-driven system hooks. This allows for the programmatic manipulation of window states, display configurations, and virtual spaces in response to system signals or external scripts. Users can define persistent rules to automate window behavior and placement, ensuring a consistent desktop environment across multiple monitors.
Beyond its core tiling capabilities, the software provides extensive options for customizing the visual presentation of the desktop. This includes modifying window borders, shadows, transparency, and animation parameters. It also supports deep integration with system-level settings to adjust focus behavior and workspace transitions, enabling a highly tailored interaction model for the macOS desktop.
Features
- macOS Workspace Managers - Provides automated tiling, virtual space management, and display organization specifically for the macOS desktop environment.
- Tiling Window Managers - Organizes application windows into automated tiling grid layouts to maximize screen space on macOS.
- Tiling Window Managers - Automatically arranges windows into grid layouts using binary space partitioning to eliminate manual organization.
- Desktop Automation - Provides a system-level utility for scripting window layouts and automating desktop workflows.
- Accessibility-Based Window Manipulators - Provides programmatic window control by interacting with the operating system accessibility framework.
- Tiling Layout Engines - Organizes windows into automated grid layouts using recursive binary space partitioning algorithms.
- Window Server Injection Modules - Bypasses standard desktop constraints by injecting code directly into the system window server process.
- Multi-Monitor Workspace Managers - Manages virtual spaces and window arrangements across multiple displays for efficient multi-screen workflows.
- Event-Driven Hook Systems - Triggers automated layout recalculations and custom scripts in response to low-level window server events.
- System Event Monitors - Monitors system signals like application activation and system wake to trigger automated desktop workflows.
- Window Rules - Applies persistent rules to automate window behavior and placement based on specific window properties.
- Window State Controls - Interacts directly with the window server to programmatically manipulate window states and visual properties.
- Unix Socket Interfaces - Exposes a Unix domain socket interface for external processes to send commands and control window management.
- Behavior Customization - Configures system-level interface behaviors like focus-follows-mouse and workspace transition animations.
- Desktop Customizers - Customizes visual desktop elements including window borders, shadows, and transparency levels.
- Interface Appearance Customization - Modifies the aesthetic presentation of the desktop by adjusting window borders, shadows, and transparency.
- Window Effects - Controls window animation easing and durations for smooth transitions between desktop states.
