I prefer multiple desktops to stacking for the apps you mention, usually split between two monitors. For other things, e.g. file browser next to something else,

I prefer multiple desktops to stacking for the apps you mention, usually split between two monitors. For other things, e.g. file browser next to something else, tiling is what I want on that particular desktop anyway. Most always-on apps live on their own desktop and thus hotkey, works great. I have a script running that renames the i3 workspace to indicate what's on it for the rest. While I kind of get where you're coming from, contrary to what you describe it's actually more control for me personally. What you call constraint is my preference that I'd otherwise have to handle manually. Sizing is more convenient than what I did before (basically manually adjusting everything to the tiled views, I prefer that both for basic layouts and keybinds or fiddling with the mouse). Plus, at least with i3, you can always bind something to enable floating mode for a particular window if you really feel like it (in practice I rarely do that anymore honestly).