Getting Started

This page is for first-time Tangrid users. It focuses on the fastest way to understand the four core areas of the app:

• Window Manager
• Window Switcher
• Dock Preview
• the status bar menu

What is enabled by default

Based on the current default preferences, Tangrid usually starts with:

• Window Management Mode set to Snap Assist
• Window Switcher enabled
• Dock Preview enabled
• Show status bar menu enabled

That means most users can start using Tangrid immediately after onboarding.

Step 1: Understand the two main window management modes

Tangrid supports two main workflows inside Window Management Mode.

Snap Assist

Snap Assist is a better fit if:

• you do not want windows to tile automatically as soon as they open
• you prefer floating windows most of the time
• you want to organize windows only when needed

Basic workflow:

1. Hold your configured Drag Modifier Key.
2. Drag a window.
3. Release it on the target snap region.

According to the feature design, Snap Assist supports:

• an initial 3 x 6 snap grid
• common width ratios such as 1/3, 1/2, and 2/3
• filling remaining space after the first snapped window
• splitting an existing managed region with another window
• swapping positions between managed windows

Auto Flow

Auto Flow is a better fit if:

• you want new windows to enter a tiled layout by default
• you are comfortable with tiling window manager workflows
• you want to refine layouts with keyboard shortcuts

Basic behavior:

1. The first window fills the screen.
2. New windows split the focused window.
3. The layout continues to evolve as a BSP tree.
4. You refine it with shortcuts or drag operations.

Step 2: Learn Window Switcher

Tangrid works at the window level, not just the app level.

Switch All Windows

• Default shortcut: ⌘Tab
• Purpose: show windows across your broader workspace and switch directly to the right one

Default interactions include:

• Tab: next window
• Shift+Tab: previous window
• arrow keys: directional selection
• Enter or Space: confirm
• Esc: cancel

Switch Active App Windows

• Default shortcut: ⌘ + `
• Purpose: switch only between windows that belong to the active app

This is especially useful for multiple browser windows, document windows, IDE windows, or terminal windows.

Vertical (with Search)

If you choose the Vertical (with Search) style:

• you can filter by typing immediately
• search matches both window titles and app names
• the current implementation also supports pinyin matching for Chinese titles and app names
• / can move focus into search mode

Step 3: Use Dock Preview to find the right window visually

When Dock Preview is enabled:

1. Hover an app icon in the Dock.
2. Tangrid shows previews for that app’s windows.
3. Click the preview you want.

This is especially useful when:

• one app has many similar windows
• you want to inspect thumbnails before switching
• you prefer a mouse-first workflow

Step 4: Know what the status bar menu can do

The Tangrid status bar menu gives you quick access to:

• Window Management Mode
• window-management actions that are currently available
• Pick Window to Add Rule...
• Show Onboarding
• Settings...
• Check for Updates…
• Quit

If you want to personalize Tangrid next, continue with Shortcuts & Settings.