Download
Everything unlocked and free while in 1.x. Download, unzip, and the strip is on duty in a couple of minutes.
Download
v1.0.0 • notarized by Apple • Free while in 1.x • macOS 14+ • Apple Silicon & Intel • no account
Homebrew
brew install --cask active-window-managercoming soon
First launch, in two lines:
- Unzip and open – AWM offers to move itself to Applications.
- Follow the guided setup to grant the Accessibility permission (that's how macOS lets AWM see and manage other apps' windows).
Stays current: AWM updates itself through a built-in updater that cryptographically verifies every download before installing it.
Before you install
System requirements
Requires macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later. Runs natively on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. Which Macs exactly?
Permissions
AWM needs the macOS Accessibility permission – it's the system API for listing, raising, moving and closing other apps' windows, which is the whole job. A guided setup walks you through granting it. Screen Recording permission is requested only if you turn on live previews. Everything else works without it. What AWM reads – and where it goes.
Not on the App Store – by design
AWM isn't on the Mac App Store because the App Store sandbox forbids controlling other apps' windows – the very thing a window manager does. It's the same reason tools like Rectangle and BetterTouchTool distribute directly. Instead, every build is notarized by Apple, and updates install only after the app cryptographically verifies them. The full story, in the FAQ.
More questions – installing, Homebrew, updates – live on FAQ & Support.