Open ContextsThe Mac window switcher
built for every window.
Open Contexts is a free, open-source window manager for macOS. ⌘Tab jumps between individual windows in most-recently-used order, just like Alt-Tab on Windows, and an app bar on the edge of your screen keeps every open window one click away. 100% native Swift. No Electron, no account.
Every window,
one ⌘Tab.
The built-in ⌘Tab shows one icon per app. Open Contexts shows every window, so two Chrome windows are two choices. The list is in most-recently-used order, and the window you were just in is always one keystroke away.
Every open window,
always in view.
The app bar sits on the edge of your screen and lists each window by its title, next to its app icon and Dock badge. Click a row to bring that window forward, even if it's minimized or hidden.
Window groups
that remember.
Contexts never had saved groups. Open Contexts does. Sort windows into groups for code, chat, or research, and they come back in the same place after a restart.
- Create, rename, and delete groups right from the app bar
- Drag windows or whole groups to reorder them
- Pin a window to keep its place while the list updates
- Windows return to their place in groups after a restart
Put the bar where
it works for you.
Put it on the left, on the right, or along the bottom. Keep it visible or have it appear when your pointer reaches the edge. Show icons only, or icons with window titles.
- Left, right, or bottom edge, centered on every display
- Always visible, or shown on hover
- Icons only, or icons and window titles
- The bottom bar shrinks items evenly so all windows fit on one line
- Available in English, Spanish, French, Japanese, and Chinese
A Mac app,
not a web page.
Open Contexts is written in Swift with AppKit and SwiftUI. It lives in your menu bar with no Dock icon and no main window.
Your windows stay on your Mac.
No account. No cloud. Just one JSON file.
Local-first
Groups are saved to a single groups.json in Application Support on your Mac.
One permission
It needs only Accessibility access. Without it, ⌘Tab is left untouched.
Open source
Every line is on GitHub under Apache 2.0. Read it, build it, fork it.
Free. Open source.
No subscription.
Download it, use it, and change it however you like.
Apache License 2.0 · every feature included
Download the DMG Star on GitHubswift buildFrequently Asked Questions
Is Open Contexts free?
Yes. Open Contexts is free and open source under the Apache License 2.0. Every feature is included, with no trial, account, or subscription.
Is Open Contexts an Alt-Tab for Mac?
Yes. On Windows, Alt-Tab switches between windows. The macOS ⌘Tab switches between apps. Open Contexts takes over ⌘Tab and lists every individual window in most-recently-used order, and ⌘` limits the list to the current app's windows.
How is Open Contexts different from Contexts?
Open Contexts is an open-source recreation of the app bar and window switcher from the paid app Contexts. It adds saved custom window groups, which Contexts does not have. Contexts' Search, Fast Search, and trackpad gestures have not been recreated yet.
How is it different from other window switchers such as AltTab?
Open Contexts shows a compact list with each window's app, icon, and title instead of a grid of thumbnails, and pairs the switcher with a persistent app bar where you can organize windows into saved groups.
Which Macs and macOS versions are supported?
Open Contexts requires macOS 13 Ventura or later and ships as a DMG.
Why does Open Contexts need Accessibility permission?
Accessibility permission lets Open Contexts find windows, switch to them, and handle keyboard shortcuts. Without it, or while the app is closed, Open Contexts does not take over ⌘Tab.
macOS says the app can't be opened. What should I do?
Builds without a Developer ID signature and Apple notarization may be blocked by Gatekeeper. After confirming the DMG came from the official GitHub repository, run xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /Applications/OpenContexts.app
Where are my window groups stored?
Groups and window positions are saved locally in ~/Library/Application Support/OpenContexts/groups.json. Nothing is uploaded.
Give your Mac the window switcher it deserves.
Download Open Contexts for free, or build it from source.