Reference
Keyboard Shortcuts
Complete reference for every keyboard shortcut in BetterStage. Stage switching, stage navigation, directional focus, and snap shortcuts can be customized in Settings > Shortcuts.
Stage Shortcuts
By default, use Opt + a number key to switch stages, or add Shift to send the focused window to that stage. These defaults can be changed in Settings > Shortcuts.
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Opt+1 | Switch to Stage 1 |
| Opt+2 | Switch to Stage 2 |
| Opt+3 | Switch to Stage 3 |
| Opt+4 | Switch to Stage 4 |
| Opt+5 | Switch to Stage 5 |
| Opt+6 | Switch to Stage 6 |
| Opt+7 | Switch to Stage 7 |
| Opt+8 | Switch to Stage 8 |
| Opt+9 | Switch to Stage 9 |
| Opt+Shift+1 | Send focused window to Stage 1 |
| Opt+Shift+2 | Send focused window to Stage 2 |
| Opt+Shift+3 | Send focused window to Stage 3 |
| Opt+Shift+4 | Send focused window to Stage 4 |
| Opt+Shift+5 | Send focused window to Stage 5 |
| Opt+Shift+6 | Send focused window to Stage 6 |
| Opt+Shift+7 | Send focused window to Stage 7 |
| Opt+Shift+8 | Send focused window to Stage 8 |
| Opt+Shift+9 | Send focused window to Stage 9 |
Navigation & Tiling
Quick navigation between stages, directional window focus inside tiled layouts, Bento Box toggling, and manual retile.
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Opt+Up | Toggle Stages Bar |
| Opt+Left | Switch to previous stage |
| Opt+Right | Switch to next stage |
| Opt+Tab | Cycle forward through stages |
| Opt+Shift+Tab | Cycle backward through stages |
| Opt+Shift+Left | Send focused window to previous stage |
| Opt+Shift+Right | Send focused window to next stage |
| Cmd+Opt+J | Focus window to the left |
| Cmd+Opt+K | Focus window below |
| Cmd+Opt+I | Focus window above |
| Cmd+Opt+L | Focus window to the right |
| Opt+N | Create new stage |
| Opt+X | Close current stage |
| Opt+B | Cycle Window Mode on the active monitor |
| Opt+Down | Retile the active stage |
Directional focus works best with Bento Box layouts. When you reach the edge of one monitor, BetterStage continues onto the next monitor in that direction when possible.
Snap Zone Shortcuts
These shortcuts can be reconfigured in Settings > Shortcuts. The defaults are shown below.
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+Opt+Left | Snap to left half |
| Ctrl+Opt+Right | Snap to right half |
| Ctrl+Opt+Up | Snap to top half |
| Ctrl+Opt+Down | Snap to bottom half |
| Ctrl+Opt+U | Snap to top-left quarter |
| Ctrl+Opt+I | Snap to top-right quarter |
| Ctrl+Opt+J | Snap to bottom-left quarter |
| Ctrl+Opt+K | Snap to bottom-right quarter |
| Ctrl+Opt+A | Snap to left third |
| Ctrl+Opt+S | Snap to center third |
| Ctrl+Opt+D | Snap to right third |
| Ctrl+Opt+Q | Snap to left two-thirds |
| Ctrl+Opt+R | Snap to center two-thirds |
| Ctrl+Opt+W | Snap to right two-thirds |
| Ctrl+Opt+Return | Maximize window |
Customizing Shortcuts
Open Settings > Shortcuts to rebind any navigation or layout shortcut. Click on a shortcut field and press your desired key combination to record it, including stage switch and send-to-stage actions.
There is also a separate setting in Settings > General called Focus cycling (⌘`) within active stage only. When enabled, Cmd+` cycles only through windows from the current app that are on the active stage.
Snap Wheel Triggers
Snap Wheel triggers are configured separately in Settings > Snap Wheel. You can add multiple triggers using any modifier+key combo, modifier+mouse button, or modifier-only shortcut. Each trigger can be set to hold or toggle mode. See the Snap Wheel docs for details.
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Monitor Management