How-to / Window Modes / How to use Window Modes / TabStack
How to use Window Modes / TabStack
Published by BetterStage · Instructions for our macOS app; detailed feature reference is linked below.
Steps
- 1
There are two Window Modes: macOS Native (the video calls this Enhanced Native) and TabStack. Switch the monitor from the BetterStage menu bar under WINDOW MODES, or open Snap Wheel → Window Modes.
- 2
macOS Native keeps free dragging and adds snapping, stacking, and tiling.
- 3
TabStack organizes windows into browser-style tabs. Drag a window or tab over another: drop on an edge to split, drop in the center to join as tabs, or drop in the swap zone to trade places.
- 4
Drag a divider to resize panes. Tear a tab away to give it its own window.
- 5
To skip manual splitting, apply a layout preset from Snap Wheel → More Actions → Select Layout, or save the current arrangement as a preset.
- 6
TabStack starts with the Compact Layout Style. For more room around windows and tab bars, open Settings → Window Modes → Appearance and switch Layout Style to Comfortable. Custom unlocks the sliders; you can also change Active tab color.
Opt+B (European: Ctrl+Opt+B) cycles the mode on the focused window’s monitor, then the pointer’s monitor. Each stage remembers a mode per monitor. Turning TabStack on with a layout chooser, applying a specific preset, and fine-tuning appearance each have their own how-tos.
Try it yourself
BetterStage is free for up to three stages. TabStack, Saved Workspaces, AI Staging, layout presets, and pinned displays are Pro. Eligible Macs can start a 7-day Pro trial; previous trials do not reset. Managed AI credits are separate.
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