Better Window Manager

Put Windows Where You Want!

Visit Website
Category
Utility
WM Type
—
License
paid
Open Source
No
Keybindings
Yes
Scripting
Yes
Last Update
2017-05-17

Features

  • Save position
  • Restore position
  • App states
  • Global states
  • Display assign
  • Keyboard shortcuts

About

Utility for macOS that saves and restores window sizes, positions, and display assignment. Use keyboard shortcuts, global/app states, or AppleScript to recall layouts when displays change or apps relaunch.

Who It's For

Better Window Manager is for Mac users who need window positions to persist reliably across app relaunches and display changes, with AppleScript automation support. It covers a similar use case to Display Maid and Stay — save where windows are, restore them later — but adds AppleScript integration for users who automate their setup from scripts. Note that the last known update was May 2017; verify current macOS compatibility before adopting it as a primary tool.

How It Works

Better Window Manager saves window sizes, positions, and display assignments under named states: App States (per-application, saves a specific window's position for that app) and Global States (saves all current window positions across all apps). Both types of states can be recalled via keyboard shortcuts or AppleScript, enabling scripted restoration from other tools like Keyboard Maestro or Hammerspoon. Display assignment saves which monitor a window is on, so restoring a state puts windows back on the correct display even after a disconnect/reconnect cycle.

Compared to Similar Tools

Compared to Stay (free) and Display Maid ($5.99), Better Window Manager adds AppleScript control that those tools lack. This is its main differentiator — if you automate macOS with AppleScript or tools that invoke it, you can trigger window restoration programmatically. Given the 2017 last update, users should test compatibility with their current macOS version. For new users without an existing AppleScript workflow, Stay or Display Maid are more reliably maintained alternatives.

Requirements

  • macOS compatibility: last tested around macOS 10.12 era — verify current behavior
  • Accessibility permission required
  • $5.00 one-time, from gngrwzrd.com

Getting Started

Download from gngrwzrd.com/better-window-manager and launch. Grant Accessibility permission. Save your first App State or Global State from the menu bar, then use keyboard shortcuts or AppleScript to restore it.

Discussion