The macOS window manager that gives every app its own Alt-Tab.
Download for macOS · GitHub Releases (Requires macOS 14.6+)
Reef lets you bind applications to number keys and cycle through their windows with an Alt-Tab-like interface.
We built Reef because we wanted a fast and simple window switcher for macOS.
- Bind applications to number keys to refocus to any window for that app
- Assign profiles for different sets of bindings
- Do your binding and profile management through the keyboard
- Customizable keyboard shortcuts
You should start by binding different applications to the number keys. You can do this:
- through Preferences → Profiles (accessed through the menu bar), or
- by selecting the application of your choice and then pressing Ctrl + Option + Shift.
You can also set your bindings up in different profiles.
For example, you may want two profiles:
- "Coding": Which binds your favourite editor, browser, and terminal
- "Browsing": Which binds your favourite web browser, messaging app, and music client
You can switch between profiles:
- using the menu bar, or
- by binding them to the number keys, and then pressing Ctrl + Option + [0-9].
Suppose you're in your coding profile, and have your editor bound to 0.
To switch between apps and windows:
- Hold Control and press 0 to open a panel showing each of your editor's windows.
- Press 0 multiple times to select the specific window you want.
- Release Control to switch to the selected window.
In this way, Reef gives every app its own 'Alt-Tab'.
Note that window switching is scoped to your current macOS space.
You can customize the modifiers for switching applications and profiles, and for binding different applications in Reef Preferences → Shortcuts.
Reef also pairs well with Rectangle:
- Rectangle positions & re-arranges your windows
- Reef re-focuses your windows
Download the latest release on our website or GitHub
Simply:
- Download the
.zipand unzip the file. - Drag
Reef.appinto your Applications folder.
Reef is free/pay-what-you-want. Use the link on our website to support us.
Reef is compatible with macOS 14.6 (Sonoma) and onwards.
You can find your macOS version from the → About This Mac page.
The Debug build uses the separate Reef Dev app identity (com.focus2321.Reef.dev), so it can coexist with an installed copy of Reef without sharing profiles, preferences, login-item registration, or Accessibility permission. Release and Archive keep the inherited production identity until the fork's distribution settings are configured deliberately.
- Open
Reef.xcodeprojin Xcode. - Select the Reef target under Signing & Capabilities, then choose your development team.
- Run the Reef scheme on My Mac with Cmd + R.
- Grant Reef Dev access in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility.
Quit the installed Reef app before running Reef Dev because both register the same global keyboard shortcuts. Sparkle updates and launch at login are disabled by default for Reef Dev.
Please share issues and feedback via the GitHub issues page.
Feel free to submit pull requests, though we can't guarantee that we'll get to them.
Why is it called "Reef"?
The name comes from the starting sounds of the words "refocus" and "reframe". And, like a coral reef supports a diverse ecosystem, Reef supports your workspace—helping you navigate between windows quickly and easily.