Amethyst

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Score6.2

Rank#59 of 78

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onmacOS

Summary

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.

Who it is for

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.

What is 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.

What to know first

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

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.

Amethyst plans and pricing

All plans

Free and open source Free macOS tiling window management · Configurable layouts and keyboard shortcuts · Application floating or tiling rules github.com · 19 Sept 2026

Free Free Amethyst is free and always will be github.com · 28 Sept 2026

Compared on game mod managers

Free plan: Yesgithub.com

Facts

What it does: Amethyst is a tiling window manager for macOS along the lines of xmonad.ianyh.com · 28 Sept 2026
Download: Amethyst is available for direct download from its releases page or through the Homebrew cask.ianyh.com · 28 Sept 2026
Minimum OS: Amethyst supports macOS 10.15 and later.ianyh.com · 28 Sept 2026
Accessibility access: Amethyst must be given permission to use macOS accessibility APIs.ianyh.com · 28 Sept 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.ianyh.com · 28 Sept 2026
Layouts: Built-in layouts include Tall, Wide, Two Pane, three-column variants, Widescreen-Tall, Fullscreen, Column, Row, Floating, and Binary Space Partitioning.ianyh.com · 28 Sept 2026
Custom layouts: Custom layouts can be implemented in JavaScript and are marked beta.ianyh.com · 28 Sept 2026
Configuration: Amethyst supports YAML configuration in the home directory, and that file overrides settings defined through the GUI when present.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Privacy: Amethyst states that it does not collect personal information or transmit information over a network.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
License: The repository identifies its license as MIT.github.com · 28 Sept 2026
Support: The project directs users to its troubleshooting guide for common issues and suggests Twitter or Gitter for questions or feedback.ianyh.com · 28 Sept 2026
Spaces setting: The project recommends disabling automatic rearrangement of Spaces by most recent use because it can make keyboard navigation unpredictable.ianyh.com · 28 Sept 2026
Intended users: The project describes itself as a macOS tiling window manager and compares its approach to xmonad.github.com · 28 Sept 2026