TabLift

<p align="center"> <img src="https://bucket.tablift.dev/banner.png" alt="TabLift Banner" width="400"/> </p> <p align="center"> <a href="https://hackclub.com/hackatime/"> <img src="https://hackatime-badge.hackclub.com/U092L97H9LZ/TabLift" alt="Hackatime Badge" style="margin-right:4px;"/> </a> <a href="https://github.com/turtle-key/TabLift/blob/main/LICENSE"> <img src="https://img.shields.io/github/license/turtle-key/TabLift?color=29c469&label=License" alt="License: AGPL-3.0" style="margin-right:4px;"/> </a> <a href="https://github.com/turtle-key/TabLift/releases"> <img src="https://img.shields.io/github/v/release/turtle-key/TabLift?color=007aff&label=Release" alt="Latest Release" style="margin-right:4px;"/> </a> <a href="https://github.com/turtle-key/TabLift/releases"> <img src="https://img.shields.io/github/downloads/turtle-key/TabLift/total?label=Downloads" alt="Downloads"/> </a> <a href="https://github.com/turtle-key/TabLift/stargazers"> <img src="https://img.shields.io/github/stars/turtle-key/TabLift" alt="Stars"/> </a> </p> <p align="center"> <img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/macOS-000000?style=flat&logo=apple&logoColor=white" alt="macOS" style="margin-right:4px;"/> <img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/Swift-F05138?style=flat&logo=swift&logoColor=white" alt="Swift" style="margin-right:4px;"/> <img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/HTML5-E34F26?style=flat&logo=html5&logoColor=white" alt="HTML5" style="margin-right:4px;"/> <img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/Svelte-FF3E00?style=flat&logo=svelte&logoColor=white" alt="Svelte" style="margin-right:4px;"/> <img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/TypeScript-3178C6?style=flat&logo=typescript&logoColor=white" alt="TypeScript" style="margin-right:4px;"/> <img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/CSS-563d7c?&style=flat&logo=css3&logoColor=white" alt="CSS" style="margin-right:4px;"/> </p> <p align="center"> TabLift is a lightweight macOS utility that restores minimized apps instantly when switching with <code>⌘ Tab</code> or <code>⌘ `</code>.<br> By default, macOS ignores minimized windows unless you hold the <code>Option</code> key.<br> TabLift fixes this behavior, making app switching intuitive and seamless — no extra keys needed. </p> <p align="center"> <a href="https://tablift.dev"><b>🌐 Visit the TabLift website</b></a> </p>

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Features

• Instantly restores minimized windows when you switch to an app using <code>⌘ Tab</code> or <code>⌘ `</code>
  • Restore all minimized windows on app switch: When you hit <code>⌘ Tab</code> or <code>⌘ `</code>, every minimized window for that app pops back exactly where you left it (across Spaces and displays)
  • Automatically open a window for apps with no windows: If Finder, Terminal, your browser, or editor has none open, TabLift can create a fresh window so you never land on an empty app
  • Minimize previous windows on app switch: After focusing the new app, the one you left gets minimized into the Dock.
• Multiple settings for customizing the window, dock & app management
• <img align="right" src="https://bucket.tablift.dev/tablift-dock.png" alt="Dock Window Preview" width="320"> <strong>Dock pop-ups with live window previews:</strong> Shows a beautiful pop-up when you hover Dock icons, including a diamond indicator for minimized windows <br clear="right">
• <img align="right" src="https://bucket.tablift.dev/tablift-tilda.png" alt="Dock Window Preview" width="320"> <strong>App Window Switcher</strong> that displays the windows of the same app and is activated by the <code>⌘ `</code> shortcut <br clear="right">
• <img align="right" src="https://bucket.tablift.dev/tablift-accessibility.png" alt="Accessibility pop-up" width="320"> <strong>Accessibility pop-up</strong> that warns the users when the macOS API is unavailable and what to do <br clear="right">
• Menu bar icon with quick popover for access and control
• Runs quietly in the background with minimal resource usage
• Compatible with Mission Control, multiple desktops, and macOS 13+ versions
• Website included in the repo

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Quick Start

Option 1: Download Prebuilt App

1. Download the latest release
2. Open the .dmg file and move the app into the /Applications folder
3. Launch TabLift
4. Grant Accessibility permission when prompted

Option 2: Build from Source

bashCopy
git clone https://github.com/turtle-key/TabLift.git
cd TabLift
open TabLift.xcodeproj

Then build and run in Xcode.
You'll be prompted to grant Accessibility permission.

System Requirements

• macOS 13.0 Ventura or later
• Apple Silicon & Intel support

Website

The website sources are in the website/ folder, powered by SvelteKit.
To run locally:

bashCopy
cd website
npm install
npm run dev

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Permissions

TabLift needs Accessibility Access to restore minimized windows.
You'll be prompted on first launch, or you can enable it manually:

System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility → Enable TabLift

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UI Preview

<p align="center"> <img src="https://bucket.tablift.dev/tablift-about.png" alt="App About Tab" width="320"/> <img src="https://bucket.tablift.dev/tablift-general.png" alt="App General Tab" width="320"/> <img src="https://bucket.tablift.dev/tablift-support.png" alt="App Support Tab" width="320"/> </p>

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Star History

Contributing

Pull requests are welcome!
If you have suggestions, bug reports, or want to help improve TabLift:

1. Fork the repo
2. Create a feature branch:

   bashCopy
   git checkout -b feature/your-feature-name

3. Push and open a PR

Support Development

• Buy me a coffee to fuel development
• Star the repo to help others discover TabLift

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License

AGPL-3.0 License
© Mihai-Eduard Ghețu – See LICENSE for details.

Credits

Built for macOS power users frustrated with Apple's default app switching.
Thanks to the accessibility community and everyone who contributed feedback.

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TabLift – Lift your windows. Free your workflow.