Amethyst is a tiling window manager for macOS, modeled on xmonad. It places windows for you, so each new window takes a slot in the current layout instead of piling on top of the others.
Layouts include Tall, Wide, Two Pane, 3Column, Widescreen-Tall, Column, Row, Fullscreen, Floating and Binary Space Partitioning, and custom layouts can be written in JavaScript as a beta feature. Shortcuts use two modifier sets: mod1 is Option-Shift and mod2 is Control-Option-Shift. Press mod1-Space to cycle layouts, mod1-H and mod1-L to shrink or grow the main pane, mod1-J and mod1-K to move focus, and mod1-Return to swap the focused window into the main pane. Mod2 with a number throws the window to that Space, and mod1-T lets one window float.
It suits keyboard users and people coming from tiling window managers on Linux. You can set options in the app or in a YAML file in your home folder, which overrides the app settings. The README recommends turning off Automatically rearrange Spaces based on most recent use in Mission Control so Space shortcuts stay predictable.
Amethyst is free and open source under the MIT license, developed by Ian Ynda-Hummel. It needs macOS 10.15 or later and Accessibility permission to move windows.
Frequently asked questions
Is Amethyst free?
Yes. Amethyst is free, and the developer says it will stay that way. Instead of paying, he suggests donating to the charities listed on the Amethyst website.
Is Amethyst safe and open source?
Amethyst is open source under the MIT license, with its code on GitHub. It needs Accessibility permission in Privacy and Security so it can move and resize windows.
How do I install Amethyst?
Run brew install --cask amethyst in Terminal, or download the latest zip from the GitHub releases page. Then grant Accessibility access in System Settings, under Privacy and Security.
What macOS version does Amethyst need?
Amethyst needs macOS 10.15 Catalina or later.
How does Amethyst compare to Moom?
Moom is a paid app from Many Tricks that moves windows by hand through a pop-up palette, snap zones and saved layouts. Amethyst is free and tiles windows automatically, then lets you change the layout from the keyboard. If you want to place each window yourself, Moom fits better. If you want windows arranged for you, Amethyst does that.
Why do my Spaces keep changing order with Amethyst?
macOS reorders Spaces by recent use by default. Turn off Automatically rearrange Spaces based on most recent use in the Mission Control settings, or run defaults write com.apple.dock workspaces-auto-swoosh -bool NO and then killall Dock in Terminal.
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