tessera

Tessera is a powerful keyboard-driven tiling window manager specifically designed for macOS, aimed at enhancing productivity by adopting the ergonomics of terminal multiplexers like tmux and Zellij for any application. With Tessera, users can experience advanced window management through features such as tabs, splits, panes, and modal keys, enabling a more organized and efficient workspace.

Utilizing the macOS Accessibility API, Tessera operates as a menu-bar agent, eliminating the need for a Dock icon and operating seamlessly in the background. The main features of Tessera include:

• BSP Tiling: Split any focused window horizontally or vertically with customizable padding.
• Virtual Tabs: Manage independent workspaces where tabs can act as monocle stacks of windows for better organization.
• Modal Keys: A Zellij-inspired experience with intuitive keyboard shortcuts, providing context-aware hints for an efficient workflow.
• Command Palette & Workspace Navigator: Quickly find and manage apps, windows, tabs, and panes using fuzzy search capabilities.
• Floating Windows & Full-screen Zoom: Enhance visual arrangement by easily managing window sizes and transitions.
• Session Restore: Automatically restore previous layouts after reopening applications.
• App Organization: One keystroke allows for organized window layouts based on application.
• Compatibility with Stubborn Apps: Specifically designed to work with Chromium and Electron apps, ensuring they respond properly to tiling commands.

Installation and Quick Start

Tessera can be installed via Homebrew, streamlining setup and ensuring all necessary components are included. Once installed, a straightforward configuration process grants the required accessibility permissions.

Default Keyboard Shortcuts

Tessera offers a variety of keyboard shortcuts for quick navigation and management:

Shortcut	Action
⌃⌥⌘R / ⌃⌥⌘D	Split focused window right / down
⌃⌥⌘ H J K L	Focus left / down / up / right
⌃⌥⌘⇧ H J K L	Move window between panes
⌃⌥⌘⇧P / ⌃⌥⌘⇧W	Command palette / Workspace navigator
⌃P then r/d, hjkl, w, f, s	Pane mode: split · focus · float · fullscreen · stack
⌃T then n, h/l, m	Tab mode: new · prev/next · move-to-tab-#

All shortcuts are customizable within the Settings menu.

Known Limitations

While Tessera offers extensive features, there are certain limitations, such as lack of multi-monitor support and the requirement to disable the Stage Manager for optimal performance. Users are encouraged to refer to the documentation for further details on these aspects.

For further customization and building from source, Tessera offers the capability to compile locally with required tools, ensuring a tailored user experience.