Rapto Documentation
Learn how to organize your windows efficiently with Rapto. This guide covers all features and settings to help you get the most out of the app.
Getting Started
Installation
- Download Rapto from the website and open the DMG file
- Drag Rapto to your Applications folder
- Launch Rapto — it will appear in your menu bar
Required Permissions
Rapto needs two permissions to work properly:
- Accessibility — Allows Rapto to move and resize windows. Without this, the app cannot manage your windows.
- Screen Recording — Allows Rapto to see window titles and generate previews. Your screen is never recorded or uploaded.
When prompted, grant the permissions and restart Rapto if needed. You can always manage permissions in System Settings → Privacy & Security.
Disable macOS Window Tiling
macOS Sequoia and later includes built-in window tiling that can conflict with Rapto. We recommend disabling it for the best experience:
- Open System Settings → Desktop & Dock
- Scroll down to the Windows section
- Disable these options:
- Drag windows to left or right edge of screen to tile
- Drag windows to menu bar to fill screen
- Hold ⌥ key while dragging windows to tile
- Tiled windows have margins
If these options remain enabled, macOS and Rapto may fight over window positions, causing unexpected behavior when dragging or snapping windows.
First Launch
After launching, you'll see the Rapto icon in your menu bar. Click it to access settings, change modes, or select templates. Press ⌃+⌥+G to open the overlay and start organizing your windows.
Operating Modes
Rapto offers three different ways to manage your windows. You can choose a different mode for each monitor and each macOS Space.
Manual Mode
Developer's favorite. Quickly select a layout template from the menu bar, or press the hotkey to open an overlay where you can assign specific windows to specific slots with precision.
Best for: Power users who want full control over which window goes where.
Auto Tiling
Windows automatically arrange themselves as you open or close them. The layout adapts based on how many windows you have. You can set the maximum number of tiled windows (2-8).
Best for: Users who want hands-off window management, similar to i3 or yabai.
Drag to Snap
Drag a window to the edge of the screen to snap it into position. A preview zone appears before you release, showing where the window will go.
Best for: Users who prefer mouse-based interaction, similar to Rectangle or Magnet.
Change modes from the menu bar icon or using Settings. Each monitor and Space can have its own mode.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Rapto is designed for keyboard-first usage. Choose between two presets or customize every shortcut in Settings.
Hotkey Presets
Rapto offers two built-in presets. Switch between them in Settings → Hotkeys.
Rapto Style
Arrow-based navigation. Intuitive for most users. Uses ⌃+⌥ as base modifier.
Vim Style
HJKL navigation. Familiar for Vim/i3/yabai users. Uses ⌥ as base modifier.
Core Shortcuts (Rapto Style)
Window Navigation
Move focus between tiled windows:
Window Resize
Focus Slots
Jump directly to a window in a specific slot:
Multi-Monitor
Mode Switching
Cycles through operating modes. You can also switch modes from the menu bar icon.
All shortcuts can be customized in Settings → Hotkeys. You can also disable shortcuts for specific apps using Passthrough Apps.
Layout Templates
Templates define how your screen is divided into zones. Rapto comes with built-in templates and lets you create your own.
Built-in Templates
Full
Single window fullscreen
Halves Vertical
Two equal columns
Halves Horizontal
Two equal rows
Thirds
Three equal columns
Quarters
Four equal quadrants
1+2 Left
Large left, two stacked right
1+2 Right
Two stacked left, large right
Center Focus
Centered main window
Center + Sidebars
Wide center with side columns
Creating Custom Templates
- Open the overlay (press ⌃+⌥+G)
- Click the "Custom" button in the template picker
- Draw zones by clicking and dragging on the grid
- Name your template and save it
Custom templates are saved automatically and appear alongside built-in templates. You can rename or delete them from the template picker.
Features
Multi-Monitor Support
Each monitor can have its own layout template and operating mode. Windows can be moved between monitors using ⌃+⌥+⌘+← / → or by dragging.
Per-monitor settings are saved automatically and restored when you reconnect displays.
Window Groups
Place multiple windows in the same zone. They stack on top of each other, and you can cycle through them with a keyboard shortcut. Great for keeping related windows together.
Window Swap
Instantly swap the positions of two windows. Use the keyboard shortcut or drag one window onto another while holding a modifier key.
Focus Window
Temporarily expand any window to fullscreen (or a custom focus zone) with a single shortcut. Press again to return to the original position.
Mouse shortcut: Hold ⇧ and double-click any window to toggle focus mode. The modifier key can be changed in Settings.
Snap Back & Restore Layout
Snap Back: If you accidentally move a tiled window, it automatically returns to its assigned zone. This keeps your layout intact without manual correction.
Restore Layout: Press ⌃+⌥+R to restore all windows to their saved positions. Useful after major layout disruptions.
Resize Adjacent
When you resize one window, neighboring windows automatically adjust to fill the space. No gaps, no overlaps.
Floating Windows
Exclude specific windows from tiling. They'll float freely above your tiled layout and stay on top. Toggle with keyboard shortcut ⌃+⌥+T.
Mouse shortcut: Hold ⌃ and double-click any window to toggle floating mode. This feature can be enabled in Settings → Floating Windows.
Per-Space Layouts
Each macOS Space can have its own layout. Switch between Spaces and Rapto remembers which template you were using. Great for separating work contexts.
Settings
Access Settings from the menu bar icon → Settings, or press ⌘+, when the overlay is open.
General
- • Launch at Login — Start Rapto automatically when you log in
- • Window Gap — Space between tiled windows (0-20 pixels)
- • Screen Edge Gap — Space from screen edges (0-20 pixels)
Apps
- • Ignored Apps — Apps that are never managed by Rapto (e.g., system dialogs, utilities)
- • Passthrough Apps — Apps where Rapto's shortcuts are disabled (e.g., games, virtual machines)
Hotkeys
- • Preset — Choose between Rapto Style (arrows) or Vim Style (HJKL)
- • Custom Bindings — Override any shortcut with your preferred key combination
- • Focus Slots 1-9 — Quickly jump to windows in specific grid positions
Focus Mode & Floating
- • Focus Mode — Enable/disable the focus window feature
- • Focus Zone — Set a custom zone for focused windows (instead of fullscreen)
- • Double-Tap Modifier — Choose modifier key for mouse double-tap activation (Shift by default)
- • Floating Double-Tap — Enable Control+double-tap to toggle floating windows
Appearance
- • Highlight Active Window — Show a colored border around the focused window
- • Highlight Color — Customize the border color
- • Show Zone Previews — Display zone outlines when dragging windows
- • Group Indicators — Show/hide indicators for stacked window groups
Most settings take effect immediately. Some (like permissions) may require restarting Rapto.
Troubleshooting
Rapto doesn't move my windows
Make sure Accessibility permission is granted in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility. If already granted, try removing Rapto from the list and adding it again, then restart the app.
Window previews aren't showing
Grant Screen Recording permission in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Screen Recording. Restart Rapto after granting permission.
Hotkeys don't work in a specific app
Some apps (like games or VMs) capture all keyboard input. Add them to the "Passthrough Apps" list in Settings → Apps to prevent conflicts.
Windows jump around when switching Spaces
This can happen briefly during Space transitions. If it persists, try disabling Auto Tiling for that Space or increasing the transition delay in advanced settings.
How do I report a bug?
Enable Debug Logging in Settings → About → Troubleshooting. Reproduce the issue, then click "Open Log Folder" and send the logs to support@rapto.app.
Need more help?
Contact us at support@rapto.app