Pros of yabai

• More advanced window management with tiling and stacking capabilities
• Highly customizable through scripting and configuration files
• Actively maintained with frequent updates and improvements

Cons of yabai

• Steeper learning curve due to its complexity and advanced features
• Requires disabling System Integrity Protection (SIP) for full functionality
• May have compatibility issues with some macOS versions or applications

Code Comparison

yabai configuration example:

yabai -m config layout bsp
yabai -m config top_padding 10
yabai -m config left_padding 10
yabai -m config right_padding 10
yabai -m config bottom_padding 10

ShiftIt configuration example:

[ShiftItAction registerAction:@"left" withDefaultKey:@"cmd+opt+left"];
[ShiftItAction registerAction:@"right" withDefaultKey:@"cmd+opt+right"];
[ShiftItAction registerAction:@"top" withDefaultKey:@"cmd+opt+up"];
[ShiftItAction registerAction:@"bottom" withDefaultKey:@"cmd+opt+down"];

While ShiftIt focuses on simple window positioning through keyboard shortcuts, yabai offers a more comprehensive window management system with tiling and advanced customization options. ShiftIt is easier to set up and use out of the box, while yabai provides greater flexibility and power for users willing to invest time in configuration and learning its features.

Pros of Amethyst

• Offers more advanced window management features, including automatic tiling and multiple layout options
• Supports custom keybindings and configuration through a YAML file
• Actively maintained with regular updates and improvements

Cons of Amethyst

• Steeper learning curve due to its more complex features and configuration options
• May consume more system resources compared to ShiftIt's lightweight approach
• Some users report occasional stability issues or conflicts with other applications

Code Comparison

Amethyst configuration (YAML):

layouts:
  - tall
  - wide
  - fullscreen
  - column

mod1:
  - option
  - shift

mod2:
  - option
  - shift
  - control

ShiftIt configuration (Objective-C):

- (void)registerDefaultsAndBindings
{
    NSDictionary *defaultValues = [NSDictionary dictionaryWithObjectsAndKeys:
        [NSNumber numberWithBool:YES], @"launchOnStartup",
        [NSNumber numberWithBool:NO], @"showMenu",
        nil];
    [[NSUserDefaults standardUserDefaults] registerDefaults:defaultValues];
}

The code snippets highlight the difference in configuration approaches between the two projects. Amethyst uses a YAML file for more flexible and user-friendly configuration, while ShiftIt relies on hardcoded Objective-C methods for setting default values.

Pros of Rectangle

• More actively maintained with frequent updates
• Supports additional window management features like snap areas and custom shortcuts
• Offers a more modern and customizable user interface

Cons of Rectangle

• Larger file size and potentially higher resource usage
• May have a steeper learning curve for new users due to additional features
• Some users report occasional conflicts with other macOS window management tools

Code Comparison

ShiftIt (Objective-C):

- (void)centerWindow {
    SIWindow *window = [SIWindow frontMostWindow];
    SIFrame *screenFrame = [window screenFrame];
    SIFrame *frame = [window frame];
    
    frame.origin.x = (screenFrame.size.width - frame.size.width) / 2;
    frame.origin.y = (screenFrame.size.height - frame.size.height) / 2;
    
    [window setFrame:frame];
}

Rectangle (Swift):

func centerWindow() {
    guard let window = AccessibilityElement.frontmostWindow() else { return }
    let screen = window.screen
    let frame = window.frame
    
    let newOrigin = CGPoint(
        x: screen.frame.midX - frame.width / 2,
        y: screen.frame.midY - frame.height / 2
    )
    
    window.setFrame(CGRect(origin: newOrigin, size: frame.size))
}

Both code snippets demonstrate the window centering functionality, with Rectangle using Swift and more modern syntax compared to ShiftIt's Objective-C implementation.

Pros of Phoenix

• More actively maintained with recent updates
• Offers a wider range of window management features beyond just resizing
• Highly customizable through a JavaScript configuration file

Cons of Phoenix

• Steeper learning curve due to its scripting-based approach
• Requires more setup and configuration to achieve basic functionality
• May be overkill for users who only need simple window resizing

Code Comparison

Phoenix configuration example:

Phoenix.set({
  openAtLogin: true
});

Key.on('f', ['cmd', 'alt'], () => {
  Window.focused().maximize();
});

ShiftIt usage example:

[ShiftItAction shiftToLeft];
[ShiftItAction shiftToRight];
[ShiftItAction shiftToFullScreen];

Phoenix offers more flexibility through its JavaScript API, allowing for complex window management scripts. ShiftIt provides a simpler, more straightforward approach with predefined actions for common window operations.

While ShiftIt is easier to use out of the box, Phoenix's customizability makes it more powerful for advanced users willing to invest time in configuration. ShiftIt is better suited for those who want quick, basic window management without extensive setup.

Pros of Hammerspoon

• More versatile and customizable, allowing for complex automation beyond just window management
• Active development with frequent updates and a larger community
• Extensible through Lua scripting, enabling users to create custom functionality

Cons of Hammerspoon

• Steeper learning curve, especially for users unfamiliar with Lua programming
• Requires more setup and configuration to achieve basic window management functionality
• Larger resource footprint due to its extensive feature set

Code Comparison

ShiftIt (Objective-C):

- (void)leftHalf {
    [self moveAndResize:^(NSRect windowRect, NSRect screenRect) {
        windowRect.size.width = screenRect.size.width / 2;
        windowRect.origin.x = screenRect.origin.x;
        return windowRect;
    }];
}

Hammerspoon (Lua):

hs.hotkey.bind({"cmd", "alt", "ctrl"}, "Left", function()
  local win = hs.window.focusedWindow()
  local f = win:frame()
  local screen = win:screen()
  local max = screen:frame()
  f.x = max.x
  f.y = max.y
  f.w = max.w / 2
  f.h = max.h
  win:setFrame(f)
end)

Both repositories provide window management functionality for macOS, but Hammerspoon offers a more comprehensive automation platform at the cost of increased complexity. ShiftIt is simpler and more focused on window management, while Hammerspoon allows for extensive customization and broader system control.