What you're probably missing from i3
- Every window placed automatically, with no overlapping.
- Doing everything from the keyboard with one modifier key.
- Splitting, stacking and tabbing containers.
- Numbered workspaces you jump between instantly.
- A plain-text config you keep in your dotfiles.
The closest options on a Mac
| Tool | How close to i3 | Main difference |
|---|---|---|
| AeroSpace | Very close: i3-style tree, commands and workspaces | Emulates its own workspaces instead of macOS Spaces |
| yabai + skhd | Close in spirit: automatic tiling, keyboard-driven | BSP layout; Spaces control needs SIP partly off |
| Amethyst | Automatic tiling with fixed layouts | Less manual control over splits |
| LanesMac | Keyboard-first, automatic, no overlap | Scrolling columns instead of a tree; one strip per display |
Translating i3 habits to LanesMac
| In i3 | In LanesMac |
|---|---|
| $mod + arrow keys (or j, k, l, ;) to move focus | ⌃⌥ + arrow keys, or ⌃⌥H / J / K / L |
| $mod+Shift + arrow keys to move a window | ⌃⌥⇧ + arrow keys, or ⌃⌥⇧H / J / K / L |
| Stacking layout ($mod+s) | ⌃⌥S builds a stack in one column |
| Tabbed layout ($mod+w) | ⌃⌥⇧T shows a stack as tabs |
| Floating toggle ($mod+Shift+Space) | ⌃⌥T floats or unfloats a window |
| Fullscreen ($mod+f) | ⌃⌥F macOS full screen, or Fill the screen inside the strip |
| Workspaces 1-9 | ⌃⌥1 to 9 jump to windows 1 to 9 on the strip |
| Config file | Settings window; layouts export to JSON |
Which should you pick?
If you want i3 itself as closely as possible, start with AeroSpace. It's free and its command set will feel familiar.
If what you loved was never having to arrange windows, but you're tired of every window shrinking as you open more, try LanesMac. You keep the keyboard flow, add trackpad swipes, and each window keeps a useful width because the strip simply grows.