Overview
Screen switching actions enable seamless window movement across multiple displays. These actions are essential for multi-monitor workflows, allowing you to quickly relocate windows to different screens. Defined in the staticscreenSwitching array (line 81):
Properties
All screen switching actions share a common computed property:Returns Used to identify actions that will move the window to a different display.
true for all screen switching actions (line 91)Sequential Navigation
nextScreen
Moves the window to the next screen in the display order.Raw Value:
"NextScreen"URL Scheme: loop://NextScreenBehavior:- Moves window to the next display in macOS screen ordering
- Cycles back to first screen when at the last screen
- Preserves window size and relative position
- Common for clockwise monitor rotation workflows
previousScreen
Moves the window to the previous screen in the display order.Raw Value:
"PreviousScreen"URL Scheme: loop://PreviousScreenBehavior:- Moves window to the previous display in macOS screen ordering
- Cycles to last screen when at the first screen
- Preserves window size and relative position
- Opposite direction of
.nextScreen
Directional Navigation
Directional screen switching moves windows based on physical display arrangement.leftScreen
Moves the window to the display positioned to the left.Raw Value:
"LeftScreen"URL Scheme: loop://LeftScreenBehavior:- Moves to the display physically positioned to the left
- Based on display arrangement in System Settings
- No effect if no display exists to the left
- Preserves window size and relative position
rightScreen
Moves the window to the display positioned to the right.Raw Value:
"RightScreen"URL Scheme: loop://RightScreenBehavior:- Moves to the display physically positioned to the right
- Based on display arrangement in System Settings
- No effect if no display exists to the right
- Preserves window size and relative position
topScreen
Moves the window to the display positioned above.Raw Value:
"TopScreen"URL Scheme: loop://TopScreenBehavior:- Moves to the display physically positioned above
- Based on display arrangement in System Settings
- No effect if no display exists above
- Preserves window size and relative position
- Common in vertical monitor stacking setups
bottomScreen
Moves the window to the display positioned below.Raw Value:
"BottomScreen"URL Scheme: loop://BottomScreenBehavior:- Moves to the display physically positioned below
- Based on display arrangement in System Settings
- No effect if no display exists below
- Preserves window size and relative position
- Common in vertical monitor stacking setups
Usage Examples
Keyboard Shortcuts
Multi-Monitor Workflows
Horizontal Dual Monitor Setup:Display Arrangement
The directional screen switching actions (left/right/top/bottom) depend on how your displays are arranged in: System Settings → Displays → Arrangement Example arrangements:Horizontal Layout
L-Shaped Layout
Vertical Stack
Window Positioning Behavior
When moving windows between screens:- Size Preservation: Window maintains its current size (unless it exceeds the target screen dimensions)
- Relative Position: Window attempts to maintain its relative position on the target screen
- Screen Bounds: If window is larger than target screen, it’s resized to fit
- No Overlap: Window is adjusted to stay within target screen bounds
Radial Menu
Screen switching actions appear in the radial menu but don’t have specific directional angles (line 102):Combining with Positioning
Screen switching can be combined with positioning actions:The screen switching action moves the window first, then apply positioning actions to arrange it on the target display.
Troubleshooting
Screen switching has no effect
Screen switching has no effect
- Verify multiple displays are connected and active
- Check display arrangement in System Settings → Displays
- Ensure displays are in the expected physical positions
Window appears in wrong location on target screen
Window appears in wrong location on target screen
- Check your display arrangement configuration
- Verify which display is set as the primary/main display
- Different resolution screens may affect relative positioning
Directional navigation doesn't match physical layout
Directional navigation doesn't match physical layout
Related Actions
General Actions
Combine with maximize or center after moving screens
Halves & Quarters
Position windows after screen switching
WindowDirection Overview
Complete action reference