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Amethyst
What it is
Amethyst is a free tiling window manager for macOS that arranges windows into selectable layouts. Built-in choices include Tall, Wide, Two Pane, three-column variants, Widescreen-Tall, Fullscreen, Column, Row, Floating, and Binary Space Partitioning. Keyboard shortcuts can change layouts and focus, resize the main pane, move windows between screens or Spaces, and toggle floating or global tiling. Custom layouts written in JavaScript are available as a beta feature. Users can configure the app through its GUI or a YAML file in their home directory; when present, that file takes precedence over GUI settings. Amethyst requires macOS 10.15 or later and permission to use macOS accessibility APIs. It is available from its releases page or through the Homebrew cask. The project says it does not collect personal information or transmit information over a network, and the repository identifies its license as MIT. Application rules are supported, but window grouping is not. The project recommends disabling automatic rearrangement of Spaces by most recent use, which can make keyboard navigation unpredictable.
For and against
For
- Free, with a range of built-in layouts.
- Keyboard shortcuts control layout and window focus.
- Supports application rules and virtual desktop controls.
- The project says it does not transmit information over a network.
Against
- Requires macOS 10.15 or later.
- Needs permission to use accessibility APIs.
- Window grouping is not supported.
- JavaScript custom layouts are beta.
The verdict
Amethyst provides a broad set of tiling layouts and keyboard controls for macOS. It is free, but requires accessibility permission and does not support window grouping.
Who it suits
Amethyst suits macOS users who want keyboard-controlled window layouts and configuration through a GUI or YAML file. Users should be comfortable granting accessibility access and note that window grouping is not supported.
Plans and prices
Free and open source
macOS tiling window management · Configurable layouts and keyboard shortcuts · Application floating or tiling rules
Read 19 Sep 2026 · github.com
Free
Amethyst is free and always will be
Read 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Accessibility access
- Amethyst must be given permission to use macOS accessibility APIs.ianyh.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Configuration
- Amethyst supports YAML configuration in the home directory, and that file overrides settings defined through the GUI when present.github.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Custom layouts
- Custom layouts can be implemented in JavaScript and are marked beta.ianyh.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Download
- Amethyst is available for direct download from its releases page or through the Homebrew cask.ianyh.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Intended users
- The project describes itself as a macOS tiling window manager and compares its approach to xmonad.github.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Keyboard controls
- Keyboard shortcuts can cycle layouts, resize the main pane, change focus, move windows between screens or Spaces, and toggle floating or global tiling.ianyh.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Layouts
- Built-in layouts include Tall, Wide, Two Pane, three-column variants, Widescreen-Tall, Fullscreen, Column, Row, Floating, and Binary Space Partitioning.ianyh.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- License
- The repository identifies its license as MIT.github.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Minimum OS
- Amethyst supports macOS 10.15 and later.ianyh.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Privacy
- Amethyst states that it does not collect personal information or transmit information over a network.github.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Spaces setting
- The project recommends disabling automatic rearrangement of Spaces by most recent use because it can make keyboard navigation unpredictable.ianyh.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to its troubleshooting guide for common issues and suggests Twitter or Gitter for questions or feedback.ianyh.com · read 28 Sep 2026
- What it does
- Amethyst is a tiling window manager for macOS along the lines of xmonad.ianyh.com · read 28 Sep 2026
