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How-to dictionary
One action per page. Video on top, the same steps underneath. Longer job-to-be-done walkthroughs stay in Tutorials. Feature reference is in Docs.
Getting started
Install, permissions, activate, and first-run choices.
Snap Wheel
Open the radial menu and place Custom Actions on it.
Stages
Create, switch, send windows, and use the Stages Bar.
How to reveal the Stages Bar
Opt+UpHow to create or remove stages
Opt+N / Opt+XHow to rename a stage
How to reorder stages
How to merge all stages
Opt+MHow to switch stages
Opt+1–9How to move a window between stages
Opt+Shift+1–9How to follow after sending a window
How to keep app window cycling (Cmd+`) inside the current stage
Cmd+`How to exclude an app from staging
How to customize the Stages Bar
How to turn on the BetterStage ⌘Tab Switcher
Cmd+TabHow to search all windows with ⌘Tab
Cmd+Tab, then typeHow to bring a window into the current Stage from ⌘Tab
Cmd+Opt+BHow to show window previews in the ⌘Tab Switcher
How to go back to the macOS ⌘Tab
How to show one window in several Stages
How to use macOS Spaces inside a Stage
Window Modes
Switch mode, then TabStack, then snap windows, floats, and defaults.
How to adjust TabStack Split and Swap drop zones
How to turn on TabStack
How to apply a layout preset
How to set TabStack default layout and entry
How to split a pane by dropping on an edge
How to split a pane from the ⋯ menu
How to split a tab from the tab menu
How to join windows as tabs
How to swap two panes
How to insert a window on a divider
How to move a TabStack window to another display
How to fill an empty pane
How to remove empty panes
How to set TabStack pane behavior
How to switch tabs
Ctrl+Opt+] [How to reorder tabs
How to move one tab to another pane
How to move a whole tab stack
How to close tabs
How to drop a file onto a background tab
How Terminal and Ghostty native tabs work in TabStack
How to launch an app into a pane
How to quit or relaunch an app from a tab
How to zoom and restore a pane
How to resize panes
How to even out TabStack panes
Opt+DownHow to reflow panes as a grid
Cmd+Opt+GHow to undo a TabStack layout change
How to bring hidden floating windows in front of TabStack
How to focus the neighboring pane
Cmd+Opt+I J K LHow to move a window to the neighboring pane
Cmd+Opt+Shift+I J K LHow to save the current layout as a preset
How to create and edit a layout preset
How to delete a custom layout preset
How to choose where new windows open in TabStack
How to customize TabStack appearance
How to put TabStack tabs on the side or bottom
How to auto-hide the TabStack tab bar
How to choose layout behavior for one window
How to snap a window to a half, third, or center
Ctrl+Opt+…How to tidy windows into a grid (Retile)
Opt+DownHow to set the default Window Mode for new stages
How to use a different Window Mode per monitor
How to float an app
How to float an app’s secondary windows
How to exclude an app from auto-tiling
How to show Bento Box (Legacy)
Workspaces
Save, load, and restore the desk after quit.
Displays
Pin a display and recover an unplugged monitor.
AI Staging
Arrange windows, Recipes, and providers.
App Routing & Custom Actions
Route new windows to a stage. Create Custom Actions on the Snap Wheel.
Shortcuts & settings
Rebind controls, customize the menu bar, and back up settings.
License & updates
Move a license and choose an update channel.
Troubleshooting
Find missing windows, fix permissions, and reset exceptions.