stags

stags assigns one or more tags to each window in the active macOS Space. Choose a view containing one or several tags, and it moves windows outside that view to a display edge. It does not switch native Spaces.

stags is an early implementation. Some applications refuse off-screen moves or leave a narrow strip visible. Read window recovery before using it with windows you need to keep open.

stags has no published tags or releases. These guides cover main at e34c65e, checked on 11 October 2026. Installation is from source.

Start here #

1. Build and start the daemon, then grant Accessibility permission.
2. Assign tags and choose a view.
3. Use the command reference for window IDs, JSON queries, and socket options.

Requirements #

• macOS 26 or later
• Swift 6.2 or later to build from source
• Accessibility permission for the stags executable

stags also uses private macOS APIs to match windows with the active Space. macOS updates may change the behaviour it relies on.

Try a tag view #

Build from source and start the foreground daemon:

git clone https://github.com/starkwm/stags.git
cd stags
make build
.build/debug/stags daemon

In another terminal, tag the focused window and show the work view:

.build/debug/stags window set work
.build/debug/stags view work
.build/debug/stags query

Run .build/debug/stags stop to restore parked windows and stop the daemon. If a parked window is on another macOS Space, switch to that Space and run .build/debug/stags restore first. The getting started guide explains the initial tag and how to run commands from a source build.

Use it with swm #

If swm manages the same windows, use its floating layout. Automatic tiling can move parked windows back on screen. The two daemons do not coordinate their layouts yet.