Reef

The macOS window manager that gives every app its own Alt-Tab.

Download for macOS · GitHub Releases (Requires macOS 14.6+)

How we made Reef (YouTube)

Key Features

Reef lets you bind applications to number keys and cycle through their windows with an Alt-Tab-like interface.

We built Reef because we wanted a fast and simple window switcher for macOS.

• Bind applications to number keys to refocus to any window for that app
• Assign profiles for different sets of bindings
• Do your binding and profile management through the keyboard
• Customizable keyboard shortcuts

Usage

Binding

You should start by binding different applications to the number keys. You can do this:

• through Preferences → Profiles (accessed through the menu bar), or
• by selecting the application of your choice and then pressing Ctrl + Option + Shift.

Profiles

You can also set your bindings up in different profiles.

For example, you may want two profiles:

• "Coding": Which binds your favourite editor, browser, and terminal
• "Browsing": Which binds your favourite web browser, messaging app, and music client

You can switch between profiles:

• using the menu bar, or
• by binding them to the number keys, and then pressing Ctrl + Option + [0-9].

Switching applications

Suppose you're in your coding profile, and have your editor bound to 0.

To switch between apps and windows:

1. Hold Control and press 0 to open a panel showing each of your editor's windows.
2. Press 0 multiple times to select the specific window you want.
3. Release Control to switch to the selected window.

In this way, Reef gives every app its own 'Alt-Tab'.

Note that window switching is scoped to your current macOS space.

Customization

You can customize the modifiers for switching applications and profiles, and for binding different applications in Reef Preferences → Shortcuts.

Reef also pairs well with Rectangle:

• Rectangle positions & re-arranges your windows
• Reef re-focuses your windows

Installation

Download the latest release on our website or GitHub

Simply:

1. Download the .zip and unzip the file.
2. Drag Reef.app into your Applications folder.

Reef is free/pay-what-you-want. Use the link on our website to support us.

Compatibility

Reef is compatible with macOS 14.6 (Sonoma) and onwards.

You can find your macOS version from the  → About This Mac page.

Development

Please share issues and feedback via the GitHub issues page.

Feel free to submit pull requests, though we can't guarantee that we'll get to them.

FAQ

Why is it called "Reef"?

The name comes from the starting sounds of the words "refocus" and "reframe". And, like a coral reef supports a diverse ecosystem, Reef supports your workspace—helping you navigate between windows quickly and easily.

Related Projects

• yabai
• Aerospace
• Rectangle
• AltTab for macOS