Faster App Switching With Multi-Instance Awareness On macOS
Reef is a macOS window manager that gives every app its own space and reached 335 GitHub stars from users who switch all day between browser, Slack, and a terminal, and its issues point at the two things that would make it a reflex: faster switching with fewer keystrokes and correct handling of apps that spawn multiple instances rather than multiple windows. Power users live in app switching and the built-in command-tab is blunt. The wedge is a switcher tuned for speed and multi-instance apps, the cases the default and many tools mishandle.
Problem Statement
A developer flips between a browser, Slack, a terminal, and an app that runs several separate instances, but command-tab and many switchers collapse instances or take too many keystrokes to reach the right one, so they lose seconds and focus on every switch. They want a switcher that reaches any window or instance instantly, and the existing tools either ignore multi-instance apps or add friction.
The Idea
A fast macOS app and window switcher built for power users that handles multi-instance apps correctly and minimizes keystrokes to reach any target.
Why Now
Knowledge workers run more concurrent apps and instances than ever in 2026, and the native command-tab plus most switchers still treat one app as one target, which breaks for tools that open separate instances. Reef's traction and its faster-switching and multi-instance requests show the speed-focused switcher is an unmet niche among heavy users.
Target User
macOS power users and developers who switch between many apps and instances constantly
Target Market
macOS productivity and window management utilities
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