Our Verdict
Contexts 1.4supplements — and can even replace — OS X ’s windowpane management tools , and it does so in a way that is legitimately useful , especially if you rely on keyboard shortcuts to sail your Mac .
On first glance , Contexts has a nearly nonexistent interface : The only sign that it ’s running is a narrow windowpane - picker sidebar that runs along the bound of your screen . But its substantial power lies in its keyboard shortcuts .
Want to get a Finder windowpane in a hurry ? Press Command - Space to get a Spotlight - like open - window picker , go typing the window ’s name , and watch over as Contexts narrows the list down to the window you want . It ’s quick and it work out well , but Contexts does n’t admit browser app tabs in the list . If you ’re looking for a web page opened in a background lozenge , you ’ll still have to hunt for it .
Contexts assigns a phone number to each open window , so you could pull them up readily with a key stroke . For example , if Contexts allot “ 1 ” to your Messages , window , you may press Command-1 to contribute that window to the front . you could re - Holy Order window as listed in the sidebar , which also changes the act delegate to that windowpane .
By default , Contexts changes Command - Tab from cycling through open apps to cycling through open windows . To say that this change claim some getting used to is a monolithic understatement : I ’ve used Contexts for about a hebdomad and have yet to adjust to the modification .
you’re able to incapacitate this feature temporarily by turning on Caps Lock , or change its keyboard shortcut to something else in Contexts ’s preferences . In fact , Contexts lets you vary keyboard shortcuts for many of its features to whatever work well for you .
No matter how you feel about OS X ’s window direction , Contexts is worth a look ; a free trial is uncommitted .
This reappraisal is part of Macworld’sGemFest 2014 . Every weekday from July until September , the Macworld stave will use the Mac Gems blog to concisely cover a standout free , low - toll , or slap-up - note value program . you’re able to catch a inclination of this year ’s apps , update daily , on our handy GemFest chart , and you’re able to visit the Mac Gems home page for past Mac Gems review .
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