Pros of yabai

• Offers advanced window management and tiling capabilities
• Highly customizable with scripting support
• Integrates well with other macOS utilities and workflows

Cons of yabai

• Steeper learning curve and more complex setup
• Requires disabling System Integrity Protection (SIP) for full functionality
• May conflict with some native macOS window management features

Code comparison

alt-tab-macos:

@objc func cycleSelection(_ sender: NSMenuItem) {
    if sender.tag == 1 {
        nextApp()
    } else if sender.tag == -1 {
        previousApp()
    }
}

yabai:

yabai -m config layout bsp
yabai -m config top_padding    15
yabai -m config bottom_padding 15
yabai -m config left_padding   15
yabai -m config right_padding  15

Summary

alt-tab-macos is a simpler, more focused tool that enhances the default Alt-Tab functionality on macOS. It's easier to set up and use but has limited window management capabilities.

yabai, on the other hand, is a powerful window manager that offers extensive customization and tiling options. It requires more setup and learning but provides a comprehensive solution for users who want full control over their window layout and management.

Both projects serve different needs and can appeal to different types of users based on their requirements and willingness to invest time in setup and configuration.

Pros of Hidden

• Focuses specifically on hiding menu bar icons, providing a cleaner desktop experience
• Lightweight and minimalistic, with a simple user interface
• Allows for quick toggling of hidden icons through keyboard shortcuts

Cons of Hidden

• Limited functionality compared to Alt-Tab-MacOS, which offers window management features
• Less actively maintained, with fewer recent updates and contributions
• Smaller user base and community support

Code Comparison

Hidden (Swift):

@objc func toggleHidden() {
    isHidden.toggle()
    updateStatusItem()
    updateMenuItems()
}

Alt-Tab-MacOS (Swift):

func cycleSelection(_ direction: Direction) {
    if windows.count > 0 {
        selectedIndex = (selectedIndex + direction.rawValue + windows.count) % windows.count
        updateSelectedWindow()
    }
}

Summary

Hidden is a focused tool for managing menu bar icons, offering a streamlined experience for users who want to declutter their desktop. It's lightweight and easy to use but has limited functionality compared to Alt-Tab-MacOS.

Alt-Tab-MacOS, on the other hand, provides a more comprehensive window management solution with additional features beyond icon hiding. It has a larger user base and more active development, making it a more versatile choice for users seeking advanced window management capabilities.

The code comparison shows that Hidden focuses on toggling icon visibility, while Alt-Tab-MacOS implements more complex window cycling functionality. This reflects the difference in scope and features between the two projects.

Pros of Dozer

• Focuses on menu bar management, allowing users to hide unnecessary icons
• Lightweight and minimalistic, with a simple interface
• Offers customizable keyboard shortcuts for quick access

Cons of Dozer

• Limited functionality compared to alt-tab-macos, which offers window switching
• May not be as actively maintained, with fewer recent updates
• Lacks advanced features like window previews or multi-monitor support

Code Comparison

Dozer (Objective-C):

- (void)toggleHidden {
    if (self.isHidden) {
        [self unhide];
    } else {
        [self hide];
    }
}

alt-tab-macos (Swift):

func cycleSelection(_ direction: Direction) {
    selectedIndex = (selectedIndex + direction.rawValue + windows.count) % windows.count
    updateSelectedWindow()
}

While both projects are designed to enhance macOS user experience, they serve different purposes. Dozer focuses on decluttering the menu bar, while alt-tab-macos improves window management and switching. The code snippets demonstrate the different languages used (Objective-C vs. Swift) and highlight the core functionality of each project: toggling visibility for Dozer and cycling through windows for alt-tab-macos.

Pros of Amethyst

• Offers automatic window tiling and management
• Supports multiple layouts and customizable keyboard shortcuts
• Integrates well with macOS spaces and mission control

Cons of Amethyst

• Steeper learning curve for new users
• May conflict with some native macOS window behaviors
• Less intuitive for users accustomed to traditional window management

Code Comparison

Amethyst (Swift):

override func observeValue(forKeyPath keyPath: String?, of object: Any?, change: [NSKeyValueChangeKey : Any]?, context: UnsafeMutableRawPointer?) {
    guard let screen = object as? NSScreen else {
        return
    }
    delegate?.screen(screen, didChangeFrame: screen.frame)
}

Alt-Tab-MacOS (Swift):

func observeValue(forKeyPath keyPath: String?, of object: Any?, change: [NSKeyValueChangeKey: Any]?, context: UnsafeMutableRawPointer?) {
    if let screen = object as? NSScreen {
        DispatchQueue.main.async { [weak self] in
            self?.screenParametersDidChange(screen)
        }
    }
}

Both projects use similar observer patterns for screen changes, but Alt-Tab-MacOS employs an asynchronous dispatch to handle screen parameter changes.

Pros of Rectangle

• More comprehensive window management features, including snapping to different screen positions and custom layouts
• Supports keyboard shortcuts for precise window positioning and resizing
• Actively maintained with frequent updates and bug fixes

Cons of Rectangle

• Lacks the advanced app switching capabilities of alt-tab-macos
• May have a steeper learning curve due to more complex features
• Doesn't provide thumbnail previews of windows when switching

Code Comparison

Rectangle (Swift):

func snapWindowToLeftHalf() {
    guard let screen = NSScreen.main else { return }
    let visibleFrame = screen.visibleFrame
    let newFrame = NSRect(x: visibleFrame.minX, y: visibleFrame.minY,
                          width: visibleFrame.width / 2, height: visibleFrame.height)
    window.setFrame(newFrame, display: true, animate: true)
}

alt-tab-macos (Swift):

func switchToNextApp() {
    guard let currentApp = NSWorkspace.shared.frontmostApplication else { return }
    let apps = NSWorkspace.shared.runningApplications
    if let index = apps.firstIndex(of: currentApp),
       let nextApp = apps[safe: index + 1] ?? apps.first {
        nextApp.activate(options: .activateIgnoringOtherApps)
    }
}

Both projects are written in Swift and focus on improving window management on macOS. Rectangle offers more comprehensive window management features, while alt-tab-macos specializes in enhancing app switching functionality.