Introduction

Layout is a Mac app that arranges the windows on one display into workspaces. A workspace is a named setup, such as Code or Communication, with its own apps and its own layout.

A layout is made of zones. Each zone holds one app, or several apps stacked in the same frame, and other apps can float over the zones at a size you choose. When you launch a workspace, Layout opens its apps and puts their windows in their zones. When you switch to another workspace, Layout moves the current windows out of sight and brings back the other workspace’s windows where you left them.

A workspace can also have a work context: what each app opens when its layout launches. Your editor and Terminal open the project folder, your browser opens your tabs, Claude and Codex bring back the project’s latest chat, Slack goes to a channel, and Simulator boots a device and opens your app.

You move around from the keyboard. ⌥Tab switches workspaces, ⌃⌥1…9 goes straight to one, and ⌃⌥Space opens the command palette. You can also have ⌘Tab cycle through the windows of the current workspace only.

While Layout is active, the Layout bar at the top of the screen shows the current workspace, the icons of its apps, and a few quick actions.

Layout needs macOS 14 or later, a single display, and the Accessibility permission.

Where to go next

InstallationRequirements, installing Layout, and where it keeps its settings.

Your first workspaceCreate a workspace, assign apps to zones, launch it, and switch.

WorkspacesSections, numbering, Général, and what happens when you switch.

Layouts and zonesTemplates, splitting zones, dividers, and spacing.

Work contextFolders, browser tabs, chats, app links, and simulators for each workspace.

Keyboard shortcutsEvery shortcut, and when it works.

Layout barThe bar at the top of the screen, and how to reach the macOS menus.

Recovering windowsBring back windows that Layout moved out of sight.