Getting Started
Welcome to MacLayout! This guide will help you get the most out of the app and streamline your workflow.
Quick Start
- Download and install MacLayout
- Grant Accessibility permission when prompted
- Arrange your windows how you like them
- Click the menu bar icon and select "Save Current Layout"
- Give your layout a name and optional keyboard shortcut
MacLayout lives in your menu bar. Click the icon at any time to access your saved layouts, create new ones, or adjust settings.
Accessibility Permission
MacLayout requires Accessibility permission to move and resize windows. This is the same permission used by all window management apps on macOS.
How to grant permission:
- Open System Settings (Apple menu → System Settings)
- Navigate to Privacy & Security → Accessibility
- Click the lock icon and authenticate if needed
- Find MacLayout in the list and toggle it ON
Privacy Note
We only use Accessibility access to read window positions and move windows. We never access your personal data, keystrokes, or monitor your activity. The app works entirely offline.
Saving Layouts
A layout captures the position and size of all your open windows, along with which apps they belong to.
To save a layout:
- Arrange your windows exactly how you want them
- Click the MacLayout icon in the menu bar
- Click "Save Current Layout"
- Enter a descriptive name (e.g., "Home Office", "Focus Mode")
- Optionally assign a keyboard shortcut
- Click "Save"
What gets saved:
- Window positions and sizes
- Which display each window is on
- The app that owns each window
- Which macOS Space the window is on
- Whether windows are minimized or fullscreen
Restoring Layouts
Restore a saved layout to instantly arrange your windows back to their saved positions.
Ways to restore:
- Menu bar: Click the icon and select your layout from the list
- Keyboard shortcut: Press your assigned hotkey
- Automatic trigger: Set up display or app launch triggers
Smart Restoration
MacLayout intelligently handles cases where apps aren't running or your display configuration has changed. Windows will be positioned proportionally on your current screens.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Assign global keyboard shortcuts to your layouts for instant access without using the mouse.
To assign a shortcut:
- Click the menu bar icon
- Hover over your layout and click the Edit button
- Click in the shortcut recording field
- Press your desired key combination (e.g., ⌘⌥1)
- Click Save
Recommended shortcuts:
⌘⌥1- Primary layout⌘⌥2- Secondary layout⌘⌥F- Focus mode
Multi-Monitor Setup
MacLayout fully supports multi-monitor setups and intelligently adapts to different display configurations.
Display-aware features:
- Layouts remember which display each window belongs to
- Smart positioning adapts windows when displays change
- Different layouts for different monitor setups
Tip: Create setup-specific layouts
Create separate layouts for "Laptop Only", "Docked", and "External Monitor" setups. Use display triggers to automatically switch between them.
Automation Triggers
Set up automatic triggers to restore layouts without any manual intervention.
Display Change Trigger
Automatically restore a layout when your display configuration changes (e.g., when you dock your laptop or connect an external monitor).
- Set up your displays as you want them
- Arrange your windows
- Save the layout with "Trigger on display change" enabled
- The layout will auto-restore when this display setup is detected
App Launch Trigger
Automatically restore a layout when specific apps launch.
- Create a layout with your desired window arrangement
- Edit the layout and enable "Trigger on app launch"
- Select which app(s) should trigger this layout
- When the app launches, the layout will be restored
Preferences
Access preferences by clicking the menu bar icon and selecting "Preferences".
Available settings:
- Launch at Login: Start MacLayout when you log in
- Check for Updates: Automatically check for new versions
- License: Enter your license key to unlock full features
Troubleshooting
Windows aren't moving
Make sure Accessibility permission is granted. Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility and ensure MacLayout is enabled. Try toggling it off and on again if needed.
Layout doesn't match exactly
Some apps have minimum window sizes or don't respond to external positioning. Additionally, if your display configuration changed, windows will be positioned proportionally to fit the new screens.
Keyboard shortcut not working
The shortcut may conflict with another app. Try using a different key combination. Also ensure MacLayout is running (visible in menu bar).
App not capturing some windows
Some system windows, floating panels, and utility apps may not be captured. MacLayout focuses on main application windows to ensure reliable restoration.