Show HN: Robata, macOS window selector: put it on the grill

  • Hi OP,

    I'm the author of AltTab (https://alt-tab-macos.netlify.app/), a popular window switcher for macOS, imitating Windows famous alt+tab shortcut. I know for a fact how hard it is to implement what you did. It looks very nice, well done!

    I see you ran into the issue of not being able to detect windows from other Spaces. Apple introduced it in macOS 12.2. If you're curious, you can see the vast efforts we've deployed trying to find a workaround: https://github.com/lwouis/alt-tab-macos/issues/1324. I wish some retro-engineering genius would solve this. We haven't been lucky so far. Of course Apple could fix this all in an instant with a new API, but that's very unlikely to happen.

    Thank you

  • I guess there's filtering for something beside interest in the functionality, 55s into a 1m44s video before seeing the interface is not good.

    The concept sells itself for those interested. Instead of just twitter, in 3 Windows in each of 4 Spaces, apps (or at least differing websites) with matched purposes, or themed background colors, should be used for the demo. Don't bury the lede -- more than halfway into the video introducing it.

    1) show what it offers, 2) show how apple's native spaces falls short.

    I think people can give spaces names, so showing that name might help with maintaining their workflows.

    Time-cost costs users, costs revenue. Good luck!

  • One thing that I hate about MacOs is that the Windows Expose (which is the mode that shows all windows of the current application) spans across all desktops, and that cannot be changed.

    So this app (by default) does exactly what I dislike about that behavior, mixing desktops. Which makes sense, as people have different preferences.

    However, is there a setting that allows it to show only windows of the current desktop? (Essentially mimicking Mission Control) And, if so, is there also a setting that allows you to display ONLY the windows of the current application?

    If you allow those 2 settings (and better with different shortcuts) you'll essentially meet the needs and preference of most users!

  • This is sweet, but the demo video is a little tough to see in vertical orientation. I agree with the other poster -- an animation (with a normal horizontal view) or similar would be really helpful in getting the point across sooner. Great app though! Sorely missing from the OS.

  • Would be nice if the license allowed a few more machines under the same email. 1 per Mac serial number is too permissive. I break my Mac, do I buy again the software?

  • A $29 yearly subscription for a window management app, you have got to be kidding me.

  • Looks really good and keen to try it out! One thing I've been itching for for ages is a way to name spaces... if I could put a label at the top of each column, I'd be all over this!

  • 1piece feels a bit cleaner https://app1piece.com/

  • Looks neat! Awesome stuff, the keybindings are great to be included in the first releases too.

  • I recommend adding more static content instead of just the video. Did not watch.

  • more than $100 for a lifetime; it is expensive :(. Please make it affordable.

  • This is the embodiment of the problem of macOS. A $29 app for something that Linux does for free. To be clear, this looks like a neat app, but I'll stick with Linux.