Starting to master macOS: Windows

1. The Traffic Light (Control Buttons)

Located in the upper left corner of each window, their logic is different from that of other operating systems:

• Red Button (Close): On macOS, this button closes the windowbut not necessarily the enforcementThe app remains in RAM for instant reopening. To complete the process, use Cmd+Q.
• Yellow Button (Minimize): Send the window to the Dock. This is the least efficient way to manage space because it requires a pointer to retrieve it. It's better to use Hide (Cmd+H).
• Green Button (Zoom/Full Screen): One click enters Full Screen mode (creating a new Space). Hovering the cursor over it activates the Tile Window: splits the screen in two (Split View), allowing you to work with two apps at the same time without overlapping.

2. Window Snapping

macOS lets you organize your desktop dragging the windows directly to the edges of the screenWhen you do this, the system displays a translucent preview of the space the window will occupy before you release it.

Activation and Behavior Zones:

• Maximize (Full Screen Desktop): Drag the window towards the top margin of the screen. The window will expand to fill the entire desktop without creating a new Space (keeping the menu bar and Dock visible according to your settings).
• Left/Right Half (Split): Drag the window towards the left or right marginWhen released, it will occupy exactly 50% of the screen.
• Quadrants (Quarter Screen): Drag the window to any of the four corners of the screen. This allows you to have up to 4 applications open simultaneously in a perfect 2x2 grid.
• You can press the key opt while dragging a window to make the adjustment faster.

How to Configure or Deactivate this Function:

If you prefer that the windows do not magnetize themselves when approaching the edges, you can manage this behavior in:

System Settings > Desktop & Dock > WindowsThere you will find settings for this function as well as many others in this tutorial.

2. Mission Control

It's a visualization layer that removes all windows to show you the complete map of what you have open. It saves you time searching for one hidden window after another.

• Utility: Locate a specific app among dozens of windows or quickly move a window from one desktop to another.
• Shortcuts: F3 or swipe up with 3 or 4 fingers. Or the four-finger down gesture on the trackpad. If you want to see only the windows of the app you're using, use App Exposé (Ctrl + Down Arrow or the four-finger downward gesture on the trackpad).

3. Spaces (Virtual Desktops)

Located in the top bar of Mission Control. They allow you to segment your workflow into independent "stations".

• What are they for: To avoid cognitive overload, you can have one desktop for "Production," another for "Browsing," and another for "Leisure." By switching desktops, your brain adapts to the new context.
• Navigation: Ctrl + Side ArrowsIt's the fastest way to switch between tasks without using the mouse.

4. Visual Organizer (Stage Manager)

An alternative to Mission Control that manages windows in real time while you work.

• How it works: It keeps the active app in the center and groups the others into side thumbnails. If you click on a thumbnail, the central app is saved and the new one moves to the center.
• Real advantage: It allows you to create "Sets." If you drag one window onto another in the center, they pair up. Whenever you open that group, both will appear together (e.g., Safari + Notes). It's ideal for tasks involving multiple apps simultaneously.
• Configuration: It's activated from the Control Center. You can choose whether or not to view desktop files while it's active.

5. Management and Reorganization via Keyboard

Mastering these commands is what truly makes you fast on a Mac:

• Moving windows between Spaces: In Mission Control, drag the window thumbnail to the desired desktop above.
• Switch windows of the same app: Cmd + ` (the key above Tab). Essential when you have several text documents or browser windows open.
• Hide everything except the active app: Cmd + Opt + HIt eliminates visual noise in one fell swoop.
• Show Desktop: Cmd+F3Move all windows to the edges to free up desktop space.

Quick Reference Table