AeroSpace, a tiling window manager for macOS, continues to grapple with window management inconsistencies and user requests for enhanced functionality, as evidenced by the high volume of related issues. The project is actively addressing these concerns, but the recurring nature of these issues suggests a need for more robust solutions.
Recent issues highlight user frustrations with window management, particularly with applications like qutebrowser and Chrome, and challenges in managing multiple windows across workspaces and monitors. Notable issues include #449 focusing on application window focus, #448 requesting touchpad gesture support, and #446 concerning node layout persistence when switching monitors. These issues collectively indicate a critical need for improved handling of application windows and workspace management.
Nikita Bobko (nikitabobko)
Jake Langford (jakenvac)
Zhizhen He (hezhizhen)
YANOUSHek and graywolf
The team's activities reflect a focus on stability, usability improvements, and comprehensive documentation.
| Timespan | Opened | Closed | Comments | Labeled | Milestones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Days | 25 | 13 | 37 | 15 | 1 |
| 30 Days | 109 | 70 | 229 | 70 | 1 |
| 90 Days | 200 | 129 | 479 | 129 | 1 |
| All Time | 422 | 279 | - | - | - |
Like all software activity quantification, these numbers are imperfect but sometimes useful. Comments, Labels, and Milestones refer to those issues opened in the timespan in question.
| Developer | Avatar | Branches | PRs | Commits | Files | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikita Bobko |  |
4 | 0/0/0 | 42 | 74 | 3283 |
| Jake Langford |  |
1 | 1/0/1 | 6 | 32 | 199 |
| Zhizhen He |  |
1 | 1/1/0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| W. (graywolf) | 0 | 1/0/1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Janusz Bossy (YANOUSHek) | 0 | 1/0/1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
PRs: created by that dev and opened/merged/closed-unmerged during the period
The AeroSpace project has seen a significant number of recent issues, with 143 currently open. Notably, there are recurring themes around window management inconsistencies, particularly with applications like qutebrowser and various IDEs, as well as user requests for enhanced functionality such as workspace management and layout customization. There are also several reports of crashes and performance issues, particularly when interacting with external monitors or specific applications.
A common thread among the issues is the challenge users face when trying to manage multiple windows across different workspaces and monitors, especially regarding how certain applications' windows are treated (e.g., floating vs. tiled). The project appears to be actively addressing these concerns, but the volume of related issues suggests that more robust solutions may be needed.
Here are the most recently created and updated issues:
Issue #449: Focus next window of the current application
Issue #448: Feature Request: Add Support for 3-Finger Touchpad Gesture to Navigate Active Spaces
Issue #447: Move to the workspace where a detected application is opened
Issue #446: Persist the node layout even when switching monitors
Issue #445: Actively check for closed windows on every "refresh session"
Issue #444: Add --count flags to list-* commands
Issue #443: Issue with lettered workspace switching
Issue #440: Chrome PWAs have an empty title (and crash list-windows --all --format "%{window-title}")
Issue #439: Add documentation for the menu bar
Issue #438: Allow querying workspace layout
Several recent issues highlight user frustrations with window management, particularly regarding how certain applications (like qutebrowser and Chrome) behave when opened in different states (floating vs. tiled). This indicates a need for improved handling of application windows based on their specific behaviors.
The request for features like support for touchpad gestures and better workspace management suggests that users are looking for more intuitive ways to interact with their applications and manage their workflow.
Issues related to crashes when interacting with specific applications or configurations (e.g., using multiple monitors) point to potential stability concerns that could affect user experience significantly.
The presence of feature requests alongside bugs suggests that while users appreciate the functionality offered by AeroSpace, they also see room for improvement in usability and flexibility.
The high volume of issues related to workspace management indicates that this is a critical area for development focus going forward, especially as users transition from other window managers like Yabai or i3.
This analysis reflects a vibrant community actively engaging with the AeroSpace project, providing valuable feedback that can guide future development efforts.
The analysis of the pull requests (PRs) for the AeroSpace project reveals a total of 26 closed PRs, with a mix of accepted, rejected, and draft submissions. The most recent PR focuses on improving the integration of the Swift Package Manager (SPM), while several others address minor fixes and feature proposals.
PR #424: Improve usage of swift package manager
Closed 4 days ago. This PR enhances the project structure to better utilize SPM, reducing reliance on Xcode. It introduces significant changes such as replacing the bridging header with a module map and modifying the app entry point. Notably, it was submitted as a draft for review and included discussions about coding standards.
PR #416: Fix typo
Closed 9 days ago. A minor correction in documentation that was quickly merged.
PR #389: Added support for hyper and meh modifiers
Closed 12 days ago. This PR proposed adding two new modifier keys but was rejected due to concerns about standardization and potential future complications with hardcoding key combinations.
PR #362: default-config: Do not use -n for terminal
Closed 18 days ago. This PR aimed to improve terminal behavior by changing how new windows are opened but was rejected due to limitations identified in its implementation.
PR #334: docs: Add Monitor resolution impacts into the guide
Closed 37 days ago. Proposed documentation improvements regarding monitor resolutions but was ultimately rejected as it did not provide sufficient clarity or relevance.
PR #290: implement balance-sizes command
Closed 65 days ago. Introduced a command to set uniform sizes for windows sharing a common parent but faced several comments regarding code quality and documentation before being merged.
PR #275: Reduce workspace switching flicker
Closed 72 days ago. This PR addressed a visual issue during workspace switching and was accepted with minor adjustments.
PR #255: Fix typo + links to on-window-detected on default-config.toml
Closed 77 days ago. Merged only the typo fix; additional documentation changes were deemed unnecessary.
PR #240: fix typo
Closed 89 days ago. Another minor typo fix that was promptly merged.
PR #234: docs: add alfred workflow
Closed 94 days ago. This PR was rejected without further elaboration.
PR #227: Mention Raycast extension
Closed 101 days ago. Accepted, indicating an enhancement to documentation or features related to Raycast.
PR #213: fix(docs): Fix Colemak keyboard distribution
Closed 110 days ago. Rejected due to concerns over mapping accuracy in keyboard layouts.
13-26. Additional PRs (from #198 down to #1) included various enhancements, fixes, and documentation updates, with many being accepted or merged after minor revisions.
The pull requests for the AeroSpace project reflect an active development environment focused on enhancing functionality while maintaining code quality and user experience. A significant theme is the integration of Swift Package Manager (SPM), highlighted by PR #424, which indicates a shift towards modernizing the build process and reducing dependencies on Xcode's project management system. This change is crucial as it simplifies the setup for developers, allowing them to build and run the application more efficiently without complex scripts.
The diversity of PRs also showcases community engagement, with contributors addressing both minor issues—like typos in documentation—and more substantial feature requests, such as new modifier keys (PR #389). However, the rejection of some proposals illustrates a careful consideration of what features align with the project's philosophy of avoiding unnecessary complexity and maintaining stability as it approaches its first stable release.
Notably, there is a recurring emphasis on documentation improvements throughout the PRs, which aligns with AeroSpace's commitment to user-friendliness through clear guides and configuration examples. However, some proposed changes were rejected due to perceived redundancy or lack of clarity, suggesting that while community input is valued, there is also a strong editorial oversight to maintain focus on essential information.
The presence of discussions within PRs indicates an active dialogue among contributors regarding coding standards and best practices—particularly evident in PR #424 where formatting tools like swift-format were debated but ultimately deemed less critical at this stage of development by lead maintainer Nikita Bobko.
In summary, while AeroSpace has made significant strides in its development through community contributions, there remains a need for ongoing refinement in both code quality and user documentation as it prepares for broader adoption post-beta phase. The project's focus on practical enhancements over aesthetic changes positions it well for attracting advanced users who prioritize functionality in their window management solutions on macOS.
Nikita Bobko (nikitabobko)
Jake Langford (jakenvac)
Zhizhen He (hezhizhen)
YANOUSHek
graywolf
The development team is actively engaged in refining the AeroSpace project, with a strong focus on collaboration, usability improvements, and comprehensive documentation. The ongoing efforts suggest a robust trajectory towards achieving a stable release ahead of version 1.0.
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