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Show HN: Robata, macOS window selector: put it on the grill

69 points by emadda 2y ago

Hello HN, This is a macOS app that allows you to see all your open windows on each monitor and select the one you want. It also lets you view the current state of things like email or chat windows, terminal processes, and more. You can use "cmd" and the key above the tab key for alt-tab like behaviour. You can also toggle the UI by resting a finger on the corner of your trackpad. I also wrote some dev details here: https://madebyenzo.com/#robata https://madebyenzo.com/#robata

fn-mote 2y ago
I recommend adding more static content instead of just the video. Did not watch.
- callumgare 2y ago
  I’m in bed at the moment and tried to watch the video but stopped as soon as I realised it needed audio to be understood for fear of waking my partner. It does look like a cool app though! Maybe some gifs with captions for each feature would be helpful?
- liminalsunset 2y ago
  Would also recommend trimming the silence off of the beginning of the video and show b-roll in the background while introducing the functionality of the app.
- faizmokh 2y ago
  Probably a good idea to use normal screen dimensions for the demo too. Was a bit thrown off by that.
LorenDB 2y ago
This is the embodiment of the problem of macOS. A $29 app for something that Linux does for free. To be clear, this looks like a neat app, but I'll stick with Linux.
- lylejantzi3rd 2y ago
  "Free," provided you can spend a month trying to get it to work. Linux is only free if you don't value your time.
  - LorenDB 2y ago
    But it doesn't take a month. This feature (or something very similar to it) is bundled out of the box with KDE Plasma.
    - daneel_w 2y ago
      As is it in OSX/macOS, since the mid 2000s. Press CTRL+up to see all windows on your current space/desktop. Press CTRL+down to see all of windows of the current application. Press CMD+left/right to cycle through all windows of the current application.
  - pawelduda 2y ago
    Maybe it used to be like this in the past, but not anymore. Yesterday I had to open up a huge ass PC case and disconnect GPU to be able to physically remove 2nd SSD drive, so that Windows 11 could perform a clean install. Simple setup on a modern PC. That's the only solution that worked - found it on reddit as the most upvoted answer. Never had to remove any hardware in order to install Linux. Ofc it's just a stupid anecdote but that's all the quote you posted is based on.
    - lylejantzi3rd 2y ago
      Yes, it still is like that. In some cases, it's as bad as it's ever been.
- callumgare 2y ago
  I don’t think some asking for some money for the time and effort they put in to build an app is such a bad thing.
triwats 2y ago
Looks neat! Awesome stuff, the keybindings are great to be included in the first releases too.
lwouis 2y ago
Hi OP, I'm the author of AltTab (https://alt-tab-macos.netlify.app/ https://alt-tab-macos.netlify.app/), a popular window switcher for macOS, imitating Windows famous alt+tab shortcut. I know for a fact how hard it is to implement what you did. It looks very nice, well done! I see you ran into the issue of not being able to detect windows from other Spaces. Apple introduced it in macOS 12.2. If you're curious, you can see the vast efforts we've deployed trying to find a workaround: https://github.com/lwouis/alt-tab-macos/issues/1324 https://github.com/lwouis/alt-tab-macos/issues/1324. I wish some retro-engineering genius would solve this. We haven't been lucky so far. Of course Apple could fix this all in an instant with a new API, but that's very unlikely to happen. Thank you
- odux 2y ago
  I am an occasional alt tab user and it is a great product. Thanks for building it. I am reasonably used to MacOS window management behavior but I still need something like alt tab once a while, that’s why it keeps running in the background. I also really appreciate the partnership and open attitude your comment above demonstrates, and that to a potential‘competitor’.
- whatever1 2y ago
  This is what I don't understand. Ok apple does not care or does not want to spend resources on the window management mess of MacOS for whatever reason (iOS is more important, MacOS does not bring services revenue etc) Just open the API for the 3rd party developers to fix your mess!
  - Terretta 2y ago
    > open the API for the 3rd party developers Coincidentally, after 10 years, and 100 releases of 0.9, HammerSpoon just released 1.0 in August 2024: Hammerspoon is a bridge between the operating system and a Lua scripting engine. What gives Hammerspoon its power is a set of extensions that expose specific pieces of system functionality, to the user. You can write Lua code that interacts with macOS APIs for applications, windows, mouse pointers, filesystem objects, audio devices, batteries, screens, low-level keyboard/mouse events, clipboards, location services, wifi, and more. http://www.hammerspoon.org/ http://www.hammerspoon.org/
simonhamp 2y ago
Looks really good and keen to try it out! One thing I've been itching for for ages is a way to name spaces... if I could put a label at the top of each column, I'd be all over this!
deleted 2y ago
[deleted]
mcint 2y ago
I guess there's filtering for something beside interest in the functionality, 55s into a 1m44s video before seeing the interface is not good. The concept sells itself for those interested. Instead of just twitter, in 3 Windows in each of 4 Spaces, apps (or at least differing websites) with matched purposes, or themed background colors, should be used for the demo. Don't bury the lede -- more than halfway into the video introducing it. 1) show what it offers, 2) show how apple's native spaces falls short. I think people can give spaces names, so showing that name might help with maintaining their workflows. Time-cost costs users, costs revenue. Good luck!
- egypturnash 2y ago
  Spaces can't be named except with third-party hacks that require turning off System Integrity Protection to install and use.
  - mcint 2y ago
    Good catch, shows what I know. Could be a good feature: have the reminder titles even if it's only in-app.
- avree 2y ago
  Just to make this feedback a little more constructive (I agree) - I suggest starting the demo video at 0:46/1:44 (the line beginning with "So, if I touch the bottom left corner of my trackpad..."). It's obvious to the viewer that these are windows being shown, in my opinion - you can start right off with the invoke interaction and go into the demo.
jaimehrubiks 2y ago
One thing that I hate about MacOs is that the Windows Expose (which is the mode that shows all windows of the current application) spans across all desktops, and that cannot be changed. So this app (by default) does exactly what I dislike about that behavior, mixing desktops. Which makes sense, as people have different preferences. However, is there a setting that allows it to show only windows of the current desktop? (Essentially mimicking Mission Control) And, if so, is there also a setting that allows you to display ONLY the windows of the current application? If you allow those 2 settings (and better with different shortcuts) you'll essentially meet the needs and preference of most users!
- mastercheif 2y ago
  “Application Windows” is an option in Misson Control for Expose. I have it set up as a hot corner.
a2dam 2y ago
This is sweet, but the demo video is a little tough to see in vertical orientation. I agree with the other poster -- an animation (with a normal horizontal view) or similar would be really helpful in getting the point across sooner. Great app though! Sorely missing from the OS.
- nsonha 2y ago
  Maybe acidental but the vertical orientation makes it better on mobile view.
whatever1 2y ago
Would be nice if the license allowed a few more machines under the same email. 1 per Mac serial number is too permissive. I break my Mac, do I buy again the software?
c-c-c-c-c 2y ago
A $29 yearly subscription for a window management app, you have got to be kidding me.
- talldayo 2y ago
  Well somebody has to cover Apple's $99/year developer fee.
ranguna 2y ago
1piece feels a bit cleaner https://app1piece.com/ https://app1piece.com/
qainsights 2y ago
more than $100 for a lifetime; it is expensive :(. Please make it affordable.
deleted 2y ago
[deleted]

69 points by emadda 2y ago

fn-mote 2y ago

I recommend adding more static content instead of just the video. Did not watch.

callumgare 2y ago
I’m in bed at the moment and tried to watch the video but stopped as soon as I realised it needed audio to be understood for fear of waking my partner. It does look like a cool app though! Maybe some gifs with captions for each feature would be helpful?
liminalsunset 2y ago
Would also recommend trimming the silence off of the beginning of the video and show b-roll in the background while introducing the functionality of the app.
faizmokh 2y ago
Probably a good idea to use normal screen dimensions for the demo too. Was a bit thrown off by that.

LorenDB 2y ago

This is the embodiment of the problem of macOS. A $29 app for something that Linux does for free. To be clear, this looks like a neat app, but I'll stick with Linux.

lylejantzi3rd 2y ago
"Free," provided you can spend a month trying to get it to work. Linux is only free if you don't value your time.
- LorenDB 2y ago
  But it doesn't take a month. This feature (or something very similar to it) is bundled out of the box with KDE Plasma.
  - daneel_w 2y ago
    As is it in OSX/macOS, since the mid 2000s. Press CTRL+up to see all windows on your current space/desktop. Press CTRL+down to see all of windows of the current application. Press CMD+left/right to cycle through all windows of the current application.
- pawelduda 2y ago
  Maybe it used to be like this in the past, but not anymore. Yesterday I had to open up a huge ass PC case and disconnect GPU to be able to physically remove 2nd SSD drive, so that Windows 11 could perform a clean install. Simple setup on a modern PC. That's the only solution that worked - found it on reddit as the most upvoted answer. Never had to remove any hardware in order to install Linux. Ofc it's just a stupid anecdote but that's all the quote you posted is based on.
  - lylejantzi3rd 2y ago
    Yes, it still is like that. In some cases, it's as bad as it's ever been.
callumgare 2y ago
I don’t think some asking for some money for the time and effort they put in to build an app is such a bad thing.

triwats 2y ago

Looks neat! Awesome stuff, the keybindings are great to be included in the first releases too.

lwouis 2y ago

Hi OP, I'm the author of AltTab (https://alt-tab-macos.netlify.app/ https://alt-tab-macos.netlify.app/), a popular window switcher for macOS, imitating Windows famous alt+tab shortcut. I know for a fact how hard it is to implement what you did. It looks very nice, well done! I see you ran into the issue of not being able to detect windows from other Spaces. Apple introduced it in macOS 12.2. If you're curious, you can see the vast efforts we've deployed trying to find a workaround: https://github.com/lwouis/alt-tab-macos/issues/1324 https://github.com/lwouis/alt-tab-macos/issues/1324. I wish some retro-engineering genius would solve this. We haven't been lucky so far. Of course Apple could fix this all in an instant with a new API, but that's very unlikely to happen. Thank you

odux 2y ago
I am an occasional alt tab user and it is a great product. Thanks for building it. I am reasonably used to MacOS window management behavior but I still need something like alt tab once a while, that’s why it keeps running in the background. I also really appreciate the partnership and open attitude your comment above demonstrates, and that to a potential‘competitor’.
whatever1 2y ago
This is what I don't understand. Ok apple does not care or does not want to spend resources on the window management mess of MacOS for whatever reason (iOS is more important, MacOS does not bring services revenue etc) Just open the API for the 3rd party developers to fix your mess!
- Terretta 2y ago
  > open the API for the 3rd party developers Coincidentally, after 10 years, and 100 releases of 0.9, HammerSpoon just released 1.0 in August 2024: Hammerspoon is a bridge between the operating system and a Lua scripting engine. What gives Hammerspoon its power is a set of extensions that expose specific pieces of system functionality, to the user. You can write Lua code that interacts with macOS APIs for applications, windows, mouse pointers, filesystem objects, audio devices, batteries, screens, low-level keyboard/mouse events, clipboards, location services, wifi, and more. http://www.hammerspoon.org/ http://www.hammerspoon.org/

simonhamp 2y ago

Looks really good and keen to try it out! One thing I've been itching for for ages is a way to name spaces... if I could put a label at the top of each column, I'd be all over this!

deleted 2y ago

[deleted]

mcint 2y ago

I guess there's filtering for something beside interest in the functionality, 55s into a 1m44s video before seeing the interface is not good. The concept sells itself for those interested. Instead of just twitter, in 3 Windows in each of 4 Spaces, apps (or at least differing websites) with matched purposes, or themed background colors, should be used for the demo. Don't bury the lede -- more than halfway into the video introducing it. 1) show what it offers, 2) show how apple's native spaces falls short. I think people can give spaces names, so showing that name might help with maintaining their workflows. Time-cost costs users, costs revenue. Good luck!

egypturnash 2y ago
Spaces can't be named except with third-party hacks that require turning off System Integrity Protection to install and use.
- mcint 2y ago
  Good catch, shows what I know. Could be a good feature: have the reminder titles even if it's only in-app.
avree 2y ago
Just to make this feedback a little more constructive (I agree) - I suggest starting the demo video at 0:46/1:44 (the line beginning with "So, if I touch the bottom left corner of my trackpad..."). It's obvious to the viewer that these are windows being shown, in my opinion - you can start right off with the invoke interaction and go into the demo.

jaimehrubiks 2y ago

One thing that I hate about MacOs is that the Windows Expose (which is the mode that shows all windows of the current application) spans across all desktops, and that cannot be changed. So this app (by default) does exactly what I dislike about that behavior, mixing desktops. Which makes sense, as people have different preferences. However, is there a setting that allows it to show only windows of the current desktop? (Essentially mimicking Mission Control) And, if so, is there also a setting that allows you to display ONLY the windows of the current application? If you allow those 2 settings (and better with different shortcuts) you'll essentially meet the needs and preference of most users!

mastercheif 2y ago
“Application Windows” is an option in Misson Control for Expose. I have it set up as a hot corner.

a2dam 2y ago

This is sweet, but the demo video is a little tough to see in vertical orientation. I agree with the other poster -- an animation (with a normal horizontal view) or similar would be really helpful in getting the point across sooner. Great app though! Sorely missing from the OS.

nsonha 2y ago
Maybe acidental but the vertical orientation makes it better on mobile view.

whatever1 2y ago

Would be nice if the license allowed a few more machines under the same email. 1 per Mac serial number is too permissive. I break my Mac, do I buy again the software?

c-c-c-c-c 2y ago

A $29 yearly subscription for a window management app, you have got to be kidding me.

talldayo 2y ago
Well somebody has to cover Apple's $99/year developer fee.

ranguna 2y ago

1piece feels a bit cleaner https://app1piece.com/ https://app1piece.com/

qainsights 2y ago

more than $100 for a lifetime; it is expensive :(. Please make it affordable.

deleted 2y ago

[deleted]