Slides WM
The Fastest Window Switcher with AI
Slides WM is an application that offers a new way to switch between application windows, allowing you to slide through them like slides. It’s similar to navigating through emails in Gmail using the J and K keys.
Slider also uses AI to determine your next app based on your behavior (in development).Slides WM is an application that offers a new way to switch between application windows, allowing you to slide through them like slides. It’s similar to navigating through emails in Gmail using the J and K keys.
Slider also uses AI to determine your next app based on your behavior (in development).
Requires macOS 11 (macOS Big Sur) or later. macOS 14.0 (Sonoma) and Intel and Apple Silicon (M1-M4) fully supported.
History of creation:
Those who have been familiar with my applications for a while know that most of my successful and useful macOS programs are designed to make working with the system more convenient, intuitive, and fast. Many of them focus on improving the switching between apps and windows, such as Command-Tab Plus, WindowSwitcher 3D, DockView, and ActiveDock.
However, recently, I started feeling that this wasn’t enough. All these solutions were merely enhancements of existing functionalities.
I often used standard keyboard shortcuts like `Command + ~` for quickly selecting the next window within the current application or even the cumbersome `Fn + Control + F4` for switching between all windows. These methods weren’t ideal, but they worked. About a year ago, I had the idea of creating an app that would allow me to use macOS’s standard functions with my own custom hotkeys. But even that solution didn’t fully meet my needs.
Recently, I noticed that during work, I kept switching between the same windows, occasionally selecting a third one. As you know, macOS’s standard functions essentially switch windows “blindly.” On the other hand, I realized that when working in one app, I often switch to a specific other one. For example, after working in Mail, I usually switch to a task manager or bug tracker. And then it hit me: why not make window switching as simple as it is in Gmail (press `J` to switch to the next window, press `K` to go back to the previous one)?
But I didn’t stop there. Nowadays, many people, including myself, actively use various forms of artificial intelligence. And I thought, “Why not have AI predict which window I might want to switch to based on the app I’m currently using?” At the same time, I didn’t want any data to be sent to external services like ChatGPT or to leave my laptop at all. I began exploring how to implement this idea locally.
This is how the idea for this application was born. If it gains traction, I will continue to develop it, adding all the planned features and considering your feedback.
Requirements/Permission
Accessibility:
Slides WM needs to be authorized to use an Accessibility Services in order to be able to switch applications and their windows.You can do this in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Accessibility.
Screen Recording:
Slides WM needs to be authorized to use a Screen Recording in order to be able to get the window titles and create a window previews in the window switcher panel.You can do this in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Screen Recording.
How to use:
To install and launch the application, follow these steps:
- Download the application, unzip the archive, and move the app to the
Applications
folder. - Launch the
Slides WM
app from theApplications
folder.
Upon the first launch, a settings window will appear, where you will need to grant access to Accessibility and Screen Recording. These permissions are required for the app to function correctly, as it will not work without them. Please note that we do not collect any data; these permissions are used solely for creating window previews and switching between windows.
After granting the necessary permissions:
- Press
Control (⌃) + Option (⎇) + J
to preview the next window. - Press
Control (⌃) + Option (⎇) + K
to preview the previous window.
You can continue pressing the hotkeys to cycle through the windows, and after selecting one, release the keys for an instant switch to the desired window.
Screenshots and videos coming soon….
Requires macOS 11 (macOS Big Sur) or later. macOS 14.0 (Sonoma) and Intel and Apple Silicon (M1-M4) fully supported.