# AeroSpace Published January 1, 2026 · Updated August 10, 2026 i3-like tiling window manager for macOS Category: System Utilities · Free · [Official website](https://github.com/nikitabobko/AeroSpace) ## Install with Homebrew `brew install --cask nikitabobko/tap/aerospace` ## Quick take AeroSpace is the best i3-class tiling window manager experience on macOS in August 2026 for developers willing to live in a TOML config. Free, SIP-friendly, and actively maintained, but still public beta and intentionally unfriendly to casual ricers. If Rectangle is not enough and yabai feels heavy, AeroSpace is the sweet spot. Best for: Developers coming from i3/Sway on Linux, Mac power users who want keyboard-first tiling without disabling SIP, Dotfiles enthusiasts managing TOML in Git, Multi-monitor desk setups that need predictable workspaces, People who outgrew Rectangle-style snap shortcuts ## What is AeroSpace? AeroSpace is a free, open-source, i3-like tiling window manager for macOS aimed at advanced users and developers. It automatically arranges windows in a tree-based tiling layout, provides fast keyboard-driven workspaces, and — critically — does not require disabling SIP (System Integrity Protection). In August 2026 it is still labeled Public Beta: fully usable as a daily driver, but maintainers warn of breaking changes until 1.0. Unlike yabai, which historically pushed deeper into private APIs and SIP tradeoffs for fancy behavior, AeroSpace prioritizes practical tiling with mostly public Accessibility APIs plus one documented private call for window IDs. It emulates its own virtual workspaces instead of relying on macOS Spaces, which the author considers limited. Configuration is a plain TOML dotfile; there is intentionally no settings GUI. Installation is typically brew install --cask nikitabobko/tap/aerospace. The app is not notarized; the Homebrew cask strips the quarantine attribute so it launches without Gatekeeper theater. Binaries run on macOS 13+; building from source has higher Xcode/macOS requirements (release builds note macOS 15+ / Xcode 26+). Active development continued through 2026 (commits and discussions on GitHub), and community screenshots still show up in unixporn-style Mac ricing circles — even though the project explicitly de-prioritizes rice features like heavy animations. Choose AeroSpace if you want i3 muscle memory on a MacBook without turning off SIP. Choose Rectangle or Raycast window management if you only need shortcuts for halves and thirds. Choose Amethyst if you prefer xmonad-like automatic layouts with a more traditional Mac Spaces relationship. Expect to invest an evening in ~/.aerospace.toml before it feels like home. ## Features - **i3-like tree tiling.** Windows split in a tree paradigm familiar to i3 users: nested containers, focus movement, and resize operations from the keyboard. New windows join the tree instead of floating randomly. - **Emulated virtual workspaces.** AeroSpace implements its own workspaces rather than macOS Spaces, enabling faster switching without animation delays and avoiding Spaces limitations. This is a deliberate non-Mac-like tradeoff. - **Plain TOML configuration.** All behavior lives in a dotfile-friendly TOML config (default documented in the guide). Bindings, gaps, callbacks, and monitor rules are text — ideal for Git-managed dotfiles, hostile to checkbox GUIs. - **CLI-first control.** A CLI with manpages and shell completion lets scripts query and command the window manager. Power users wire AeroSpace into sketchybar, custom choosers, and automation. - **Multi-monitor support.** Proper multi-monitor layouts following an i3-like mental model. The docs stress arranging displays correctly in System Settings; misaligned monitors cause confusing workspace behavior. - **No SIP disable required.** AeroSpace is designed to run with System Integrity Protection enabled, using public Accessibility APIs where possible. That lowers the security and upgrade-risk cost versus tools that demand SIP off. - **Minimal ricing surface.** Gaps and bar integration callbacks exist, but flashy borders/animations are intentionally out of scope. The project values practical keyboard control over aesthetic plugins. ## How to Install AeroSpace on Mac AeroSpace installs via Homebrew. It requires macOS 13 (Ventura) or later and Accessibility permissions. 1. **Install via Homebrew.** Run `brew install --cask nikitabobko/tap/aerospace` in your terminal. This installs AeroSpace to your Applications folder. 2. **Grant Accessibility Permissions.** On first launch, macOS asks for Accessibility permissions. Grant them in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility. AeroSpace needs these to manage window positions. 3. **Create Configuration File.** Create `~/.aerospace.toml` with your desired layout and keybindings. AeroSpace provides a well-documented default config on its GitHub that you can use as a starting point. The default binds Alt+1 through Alt+9 for workspace switching and Alt+H/J/K/L for window focus (Vim-style). 4. **Start Tiling.** Launch AeroSpace from Applications or enable 'Launch at Login' in its menu bar icon. Your windows immediately tile according to your configuration. Use the keybindings to navigate, move, and resize. ## Pros - True tiling WM feel on macOS without disabling SIP - i3-like mental model and fast workspace switching - Dotfile-friendly TOML config and solid CLI - Free MIT-licensed open source with active 2026 maintenance - Multi-monitor support designed around i3 paradigms - Homebrew cask install path is straightforward - Explicit advanced-user focus keeps the tool honest about complexity - Avoids heavy animation chrome that slows context switching ## Cons - Public beta — breaking changes possible before 1.0 - Not notarized; relies on Homebrew quarantine stripping or manual approval - Does not play nicely with all native macOS Spaces assumptions - Learning curve for users without i3/Sway background - Ricing features intentionally limited ## Deep Dive: How AeroSpace Brought i3 to macOS Without Compromising Security The design decisions behind AeroSpace's tree-based layout, why SIP compatibility matters, and how it compares to Linux tiling WMs. ## FAQ ### Is AeroSpace free? Yes. MIT-licensed open source with optional sponsorships. No paid pro tier. ### Does AeroSpace require disabling SIP? No. Running without disabling SIP is a core project value, unlike some yabai setups that push deeper system modifications. ### Is AeroSpace ready for daily use in 2026? Maintainers call it Public Beta and a daily driver with caveats: expect breaking changes until 1.0. Many developers use it full-time anyway. ### How do I install AeroSpace on Mac? Preferred: brew install --cask nikitabobko/tap/aerospace. Then grant Accessibility permissions and edit ~/.aerospace.toml. Read the official guide for monitor arrangement tips. ### Does AeroSpace work on macOS Tahoe and Apple Silicon? Binary releases target macOS 13+ and are used on Apple Silicon Macs. Building release artifacts from source documents higher macOS/Xcode requirements. Verify Accessibility permissions after major OS upgrades. ### AeroSpace vs yabai? Choose AeroSpace for i3-like workflows with less SIP drama. Choose yabai if you need its scripting ecosystem and accept more system-level complexity. ### Where is the config file? Typically ~/.aerospace.toml or $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/aerospace/aerospace.toml. The guide documents the default config and commands reference. ## Sources - [AeroSpace GitHub Repository](https://github.com/nikitabobko/AeroSpace) - [AeroSpace Guide](https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/guide) - [AeroSpace Commands](https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands) - [Trying AeroSpace (2026 blog)](https://www.roguelazer.com/blog/2026-02-aerospace/) - [AeroSpace Setup Guide](https://www.josean.com/posts/how-to-setup-aerospace-tiling-window-manager) - [Community discussion recommending AeroSpace](https://x.com/shahidkamal/status/2086078665750655251) ## Related - [Maccy](https://bundl.run/apps/maccy) - [Stats](https://bundl.run/apps/stats) - [SuperWhisper](https://bundl.run/apps/superwhisper) - [MacWhisper](https://bundl.run/apps/macwhisper) - [HyperWhisper](https://bundl.run/apps/hyperwhisper) - [Aqua Voice](https://bundl.run/apps/aqua-voice) - [AeroSpace vs Amethyst](https://bundl.run/compare/amethyst-vs-aerospace) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://bundl.run/#organization", "name": "Bundl.run", "url": "https://bundl.run", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://bundl.run/og-image.png", "width": 1200, "height": 630 }, "description": "The Ninite for Mac. 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