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Amethyst

Amethyst is a free tiling window manager for macOS, built around arranging windows in selectable layouts.

Place
#12 of 65
Score
6.2
Amethyst's website

What Amethyst is

Amethyst is a free tiling window manager for macOS, built around arranging windows in selectable layouts. Its presets include Tall, Wide, Two Pane, column and row options, Widescreen-Tall, Fullscreen, Floating, and Binary Space Partitioning. Keyboard shortcuts let you switch layouts, resize the main pane, change focus, move windows between screens or Spaces, and toggle floating or global tiling. Application rules are supported, but window grouping is not. You can configure Amethyst in its GUI or with a YAML file in your home directory; that file takes precedence over GUI settings when present. JavaScript custom layouts are available as a beta feature. 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 send information over a network, and its repository identifies the license as MIT.

Good

  • Multiple built-in layouts, including Floating and Fullscreen.
  • Shortcuts move windows between screens or Spaces.
  • Supports application rules and YAML configuration.
  • Available as a Homebrew cask or direct download.

Watch out

  • Requires macOS 10.15 or later.
  • Requires permission to use accessibility APIs.
  • Custom JavaScript layouts are marked beta.
  • Does not include window grouping.

Who it suits

Amethyst suits macOS users who want keyboard-driven window layouts and configurable tiling rules. It is aimed at users comfortable granting accessibility permission and, optionally, managing a YAML configuration file.

Verdict

Amethyst offers a range of layouts and keyboard controls for macOS window management. Note the accessibility permission requirement and that custom layouts remain a beta feature.

Plans and prices

From Amethyst's own pricing page, checked 19 Sep 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
Free and open sourceFreemacOS tiling window management · Configurable layouts and keyboard shortcuts · Application floating or tiling rules
FreeFreeAmethyst is free and always will be

The facts

Each one read from Amethyst's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Accessibility access
Amethyst must be given permission to use macOS accessibility APIs.checked 28 Sep 2026
Configuration
Amethyst supports YAML configuration in the home directory, and that file overrides settings defined through the GUI when present.checked 28 Sep 2026
Custom layouts
Custom layouts can be implemented in JavaScript and are marked beta.checked 28 Sep 2026
Download
Amethyst is available for direct download from its releases page or through the Homebrew cask.checked 28 Sep 2026
Intended users
The project describes itself as a macOS tiling window manager and compares its approach to xmonad.checked 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.checked 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.checked 28 Sep 2026
License
The repository identifies its license as MIT.checked 28 Sep 2026
Privacy
Amethyst states that it does not collect personal information or transmit information over a network.checked 28 Sep 2026
Spaces setting
The project recommends disabling automatic rearrangement of Spaces by most recent use because it can make keyboard navigation unpredictable.checked 28 Sep 2026
Support
The project directs users to its troubleshooting guide for common issues and suggests Twitter or Gitter for questions or feedback.checked 28 Sep 2026
What it does
Amethyst is a tiling window manager for macOS along the lines of xmonad.checked 28 Sep 2026

Money

Free plan
Yeschecked 19 Sep 2026

Where it runs

Minimum OS
Amethyst supports macOS 10.15 and later.checked 28 Sep 2026

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