How do I set up custom keyboard shortcuts in Rectangle?

Open Rectangle Preferences, navigate to the Shortcuts tab, and click any action to assign a new hotkey. You can also import or export configurations as JSON files from the settings tab for backup or sharing across machines.

Rectangle vs Magnet: which is better for macOS window management?

Rectangle is free, open-source, and offers more customization like URL automation and drag-to-snap zones, while Magnet is a paid app with a simpler interface. Choose Rectangle for advanced control, Magnet for ease of use.

Why isn't Rectangle resizing my iTerm2 windows properly?

iTerm2 resizes in character width increments by default. Fix this by running 'defaults write com.googlecode.iterm2 DisableWindowSizeSnap -integer 1' in Terminal, as noted in the README's Common Known Issues section.

How to automate window layouts with Rectangle using scripts?

Use URL schemes like 'open -g "rectangle://execute-action?name=left-half"' from shell scripts. The README lists all action names, such as 'maximize' or 'center-third', for precise control in automation workflows.

Does Rectangle work with multiple monitors?

Yes, it supports multi-monitor setups with actions like next/previous display and customizable snap areas on each screen. Ensure all displays are enabled in macOS settings for optimal performance.

How to troubleshoot Rectangle if it stops working after a macOS update?

Try locking/unlocking your Mac, restarting, or resetting accessibility permissions with 'tccutil reset All com.knollsoft.Rectangle'. Enable debug logging by holding the Option key in the menu to view detailed logs.

Open-Awesome

Rectangle

NOASSERTIONSwiftv0.98

A macOS window management app that moves and resizes windows with keyboard shortcuts and snap areas.

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29.6k stars964 forks0 contributors

What is Rectangle?

Rectangle is a macOS application that helps users manage and organize application windows on their desktop. It provides keyboard shortcuts and drag-to-snap functionality to quickly resize and reposition windows into halves, quarters, thirds, or other predefined layouts, solving the problem of manual window arrangement.

Target Audience

macOS users who frequently multitask with multiple applications and want to streamline their window management workflow for better productivity.

Value Proposition

Developers choose Rectangle for its reliability, extensive customization options, and seamless integration with macOS, offering a free and open-source alternative to commercial window managers with robust features like URL automation and configurable snap areas.

Overview

Move and resize windows on macOS with keyboard shortcuts and snap areas

Use Cases

Best For

Quickly arranging multiple windows for side-by-side comparison
Automating window layouts with keyboard shortcuts for efficiency
Managing complex desktop setups with multiple monitors
Scripting window actions via URL schemes for custom workflows
Avoiding manual window resizing and dragging on macOS
Replacing Spectacle with enhanced features and active development

Not Ideal For

Users who need to manage windows across macOS virtual desktops (Spaces) seamlessly
Cross-platform teams requiring consistent window management tools on Windows or Linux
Environments where drag-to-snap functionality causes system issues, like the known Notification Center freezing bug
Applications with rigid resizing constraints, such as iTerm2 without configuration tweaks

Pros & Cons

Pros

Extensive Keyboard Customization

Allows assignment of hotkeys for over 40 window actions, including halves, quarters, and ninths, with import/export via JSON for easy backup and transfer, as shown in the README's shortcuts list.

Intuitive Drag-to-Snap

Features visual snap areas for window positioning by dragging to screen edges, with configurable zones and footprints, making it user-friendly without memorizing shortcuts.

Automation via URL Schemes

Supports executing window actions through URLs like 'rectangle://execute-action?name=left-half', enabling scripting and integration with other apps for automated workflows, as detailed in the README.

Active Development and Community

Regularly updated with Swift-based code, open-source contributions, and pro versions for advanced needs, ensuring long-term reliability and feature enhancements.

Cons

No Virtual Desktop Support

Lacks native ability to move windows between macOS Spaces due to Apple's API restrictions, a limitation only addressed in the paid Rectangle Pro version, as admitted in the README.

App-Specific Conflicts and Bugs

Known issues like iTerm2 requiring manual terminal commands to disable character-width resizing, and a bug causing Notification Center freezing for some users when drag-to-snap is enabled.

macOS-Only Lock-In

Exclusively designed for macOS, making it unsuitable for cross-platform workflows or users in mixed OS environments who need universal window management solutions.

Open Source Alternative To

Rectangle is an open-source alternative to the following products:

Spectacle

Frequently Asked Questions

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