Invisible Tools: Window Management

This post is part of a series about my invisible tools: the hardware and software I use so much that I don't have to think about using them.

During 2024 and 2025, I traveled a lot, and I decided to work only on my laptop, with no peripherals, whether I was at home or on the go. I wanted my setup to stay the same so there wasn't any warm-up time when switching.

It went well, until it didn't. Not because of the small screen, but because my neck and shoulders were constantly killing me. There's no practical way to prop up a laptop to the correct height (I'm tall) without it being an inconvenience by itself.

I had to buy a new monitor because, in the process of using only the laptop, I gave my monitor to my oldest kid. I went for the same specs: curved 34" ultrawide, 3440x1440, 1800R curvature (I can't get used to more curved ones).

My Window Arrangement

When I work on the laptop, my rule is: every app uses all of the screen, and I rely on ⌘Tab to switch between them (I try to mono-task whenever possible).

When I'm at my desk, this is my window arrangement most of the time:

In my personal laptop:

• A, the main space, is for my browser, code editor, or design software. This is where work happens.
• B is any reference material I'm using for the current task. In my personal machine it's usually Notes. In my work computer, Slack.
• C holds a WhatsApp Web window in my personal computer, and my email in my work computer.
• D has either Music or Podcasts on my personal, or Calendar for work.

All of these spaces have keyboard shorcuts associated with them that quickly resize and move the window there.

The only floating windows allowed are Antinote, Terminal, and the occasional Finder window, as they usually get closed almost immediately. For more involved Terminal work, I have one in my code editor.

When I'm working, my personal laptop is always in a stand at the left side of the monitor, with its windows at full size.

This setup allows me to never fish for lost windows or wonder where anything is, and to have all the information I need right in front of me at any time, minimizing switching and lowering the risk of breaking my focus.