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Show HN: Alt-tab-macos – Windows-style alt-tab on macOS

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Re: Show HN: Alt-tab-macos – Windows-style alt-tab on macOS

#5

Post by rubyn00bie »

I'm excited to give this a try, though I wonder if there's a way to replace command tab with it instead of control tab.

This little bit of UX is seriously one of those things you notice in Windows, if you're primarily a Mac user, and go "holy shit, I'm missing out." Windows 10, faults aside, actually does have some pretty clever UI/UX in spots that I really wish Apple would just "steal," because it (MacOS) sort of feels like a one-button-hockey-puck-mouse sometimes.

Re: Show HN: Alt-tab-macos – Windows-style alt-tab on macOS

#8

Post by lwouis »

SomeHacker44 wrote: post #3

How great it would be if you could replace command-tab instead of adding control-tab? Neat idea, although I do prefer the command-tab, hold command, hit Q or M or H, continue holding command and hitting tab again, etc., of macOS standard switcher.

Author here.

> replace command-tab instead of adding control-tab

Currently there is no UI to customize hotkeys. I have a ticket to frame work that can be done here: https://github.com/lwouis/alt-tab-macos/issues/8

However, you can switch keys in the code and get this working today. In `Application.swift` at line 16, replace

  let metaKey = 0x3B
  let metaModifierFlag: NSEvent.ModifierFlags = .control
with

  let metaKey = 55
  let metaModifierFlag: NSEvent.ModifierFlags = .command
I tested, and it overrides the default macOS app-switcher, so no need to use something like Karabineer Elements which is what I use to disable the default app-switcher in addition to add the new control-tab hotkey shortcut.

> I do prefer the command-tab, hold command, hit Q or M or H, continue holding command and hitting tab again

You can already hit control-tab then hold, and cycle with tab or shift-tab. What's missing is the option to hit Q/M/H.

I have a ticket to frame work that can be done here, inspired by the creative UI of another app called WindowSwitcher: https://github.com/lwouis/alt-tab-macos/issues/9

Re: Show HN: Alt-tab-macos – Windows-style alt-tab on macOS

#10

Post by lwouis »

monkin wrote: post #4

Isn't just faster to use built in `ctrl + arrow` keys to manage this? You can also change shortcut.

Doing command-tab, then selected an app icon, then pressing down; this UX is a drill-down approach where you already know the window belongs to a particular app, and you drill-down from there.

I personally prefer the Windows approach where I'm shown all windows at once, in chronological fashion, and can use my performant human vision system to quickly identify the window I'm looking for. I believe that visual pattern matching beats other approaches such as thinking about which app is involved, typing first letters, etc.

To clarify, I think that if your flow if very static, then hotkeys for you apps (e.g. command+1 -> chrome, command+2 -> terminal) is pretty optimal. I would even buy one of those dedicated keypad like a supermarket/fast-food cashier would use. Direct access is best there.

But if your flow is more dymamic/organic; let's say you open a PDF, then work on something else, then want to focus on that PDF again; then I believe visual matching is best.

My opinion is not based on scientific studies though, it's just my own observation, so take it with a grain of salt.

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