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Rectangle Mac Guides

In-depth tutorials on the best free window manager for Mac — from first install to multi-monitor mastery

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Keyboard-Driven

Every window position is one shortcut away. No dragging, no resizing — just precise keyboard control over your Mac's windows.

Free & Open Source

Rectangle's core app is completely free. The source code is public, auditable and trusted by millions of Mac users worldwide.

Every Layout

Halves, thirds, quarters, two-thirds, multi-monitor moves — over 20 distinct window positions available instantly.

10-Minute Setup

Download, install, grant one permission and your first layout is ready. Our setup guide walks you through every step.

Featured Guides

Rectangle App for Mac: The Complete 2025 Guide

Rectangle is the free, open-source window manager that turns chaotic Mac desktops into disciplined, keyboard-driven work…

How to Set Up Rectangle Mac: Step-by-Step Configuration

Setting up Rectangle on Mac takes under ten minutes. This step-by-step guide walks through download, installation, acces…

Rectangle Mac Keyboard Shortcuts: The Full Reference

Rectangle's keyboard shortcut system covers every window position a Mac user needs: halves, thirds, quarters, two-thirds…

All Guides

Rectangle App for Mac: The Complete 2025 Guide

Rectangle is the free, open-source window manager that turns chaotic Mac desktops into disciplined, keyboard-driven workspaces. This guide covers everything from installation to advanced layouts.

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How to Set Up Rectangle Mac: Step-by-Step Configuration

Setting up Rectangle on Mac takes under ten minutes. This step-by-step guide walks through download, installation, accessibility permissions and keyboard shortcut configuration.

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Rectangle Mac Keyboard Shortcuts: The Full Reference

Rectangle's keyboard shortcut system covers every window position a Mac user needs: halves, thirds, quarters, two-thirds, full screen and multi-monitor moves. Here's the complete reference.

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Rectangle vs Magnet: Which Window Manager Wins on Mac?

Rectangle and Magnet dominate the Mac window manager space. Both snap windows to halves, thirds and quarters via keyboard shortcuts — but they differ on price, open source and advanced features.

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Rectangle App Window Layouts: Every Split You Need

Rectangle app supports over 20 distinct window positions on Mac. Understanding which layout to use for writing, coding, research or video calls makes the difference between a slow and a fast desktop.

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Rectangle Pro vs Free: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

Rectangle app is free and fully functional. Rectangle Pro adds custom saved layouts, window history, to-do integration and more. Here's an honest breakdown of what the upgrade delivers.

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Rectangle Mac for Remote Workers: Multi-Monitor Mastery

Remote workers with multi-monitor Mac setups get the most out of Rectangle: keyboard shortcuts move windows between displays, replicate layouts instantly and eliminate the constant window dragging that kills focus.

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Is Rectangle App Safe? Privacy, Permissions and Security

Rectangle app asks for Accessibility permissions on Mac, which raises questions for security-conscious users. Here's an honest, technical review of what Rectangle can and cannot access.

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Quick FAQ

What is Rectangle app for Mac?

Rectangle is a free, open-source window manager for macOS that snaps windows to precise positions — halves, thirds, quarters, two-thirds and more — using configurable keyboard shortcuts. It's the most widely used window management app for Mac.

Is Rectangle free?

Yes. The core Rectangle app is completely free with no trial period or usage limits. A paid upgrade called Rectangle Pro adds advanced features like custom saved layouts, but the free version covers all standard window management needs.

How is Rectangle different from macOS Split View?

macOS Split View forces two apps into a full-screen Space. Rectangle gives you independent control over every window — any app in any position — without creating Spaces or restricting which apps can be paired.

Does Rectangle work with Apple Silicon Macs?

Yes. Rectangle runs natively on both Apple Silicon (M-series) and Intel Macs, on macOS Catalina and later.

Glossary

Window Manager
A Mac utility application that controls the size and position of other application windows, typically via keyboard shortcuts.
Snap / Snapping
The action of moving a window to a predefined position — a half, quarter or other grid position — in one step.
Accessibility API
The macOS system interface that allows applications to control other application windows. Rectangle uses this for all window positioning.
Half Layout
A window configuration where the screen is divided vertically (left half / right half) or horizontally (top half / bottom half) into two equal sections.
Open Source
Software whose source code is publicly available, allowing independent verification of what the program does.