TabLift is a lightweight macOS utility that restores minimized apps instantly when switching with β Tab or β `.
By default, macOS ignores minimized windows unless you hold the Option key.
TabLift fixes this behavior, making app switching intuitive and seamless β no extra keys needed.
π Visit the TabLift website
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## Features
- **Instantly restores minimized windows** when you switch to an app using β Tab or β `
- **Restore all minimized windows on app switch**: When you hit β Tab or β `, every minimized window for that app pops back exactly where you left it (across Spaces and displays)
- **Automatically open a window for apps with no windows**: If Finder, Terminal, your browser, or editor has none open, TabLift can create a fresh window so you never land on an empty app
- **Minimize previous windows on app switch**: After focusing the new app, the one you left gets minimized into the Dock.
- **Multiple settings** for customizing the window, dock & app management
- 
Dock pop-ups with live window previews: Shows a beautiful pop-up when you hover Dock icons, including a diamond indicator for minimized windows
- 
App Window Switcher that displays the windows of the same app and is activated by the β ` shortcut
- 
Accessibility pop-up that warns the users when the macOS API is unavailable and what to do
- **Menu bar icon** with quick popover for access and control
- **Runs quietly in the background** with minimal resource usage
- **Compatible** with Mission Control, multiple desktops, and macOS 13+ versions
- **Website** included in the repo
---
## Quick Start
### Option 1: Download Prebuilt App
1. [Download the latest release](https://github.com/turtle-key/TabLift/releases/latest)
2. Open the .dmg file and move the app into the /Applications folder
3. Launch TabLift
4. **Grant Accessibility permission** when prompted
### Option 2: Build from Source
```bash
git clone https://github.com/turtle-key/TabLift.git
cd TabLift
open TabLift.xcodeproj
```
Then build and run in Xcode.
You'll be prompted to grant Accessibility permission.
### System Requirements
- **macOS 13.0 Ventura** or later
- **Apple Silicon & Intel** support
### Website
The website sources are in the `website/` folder, powered by SvelteKit.
To run locally:
```bash
cd website
npm install
npm run dev
```
---
## Permissions
TabLift needs **Accessibility Access** to restore minimized windows.
You'll be prompted on first launch, or you can enable it manually:
```
System Settings β Privacy & Security β Accessibility β Enable TabLift
```
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## UI Preview
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## Star History
[](https://www.star-history.com/#turtle-key/TabLift&Date)
## Contributing
Pull requests are welcome!
If you have suggestions, bug reports, or want to help improve TabLift:
1. Fork the repo
2. Create a feature branch:
```bash
git checkout -b feature/your-feature-name
```
3. Push and open a PR
### Support Development
- **[Buy me a coffee](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/turtle.key)** to fuel development
- **[Star the repo](https://github.com/turtle-key/TabLift)** to help others discover TabLift
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## License
**AGPL-3.0 License**
Β© Mihai-Eduard GheΘu β See [`LICENSE`](LICENSE) for details.
## Credits
Built for macOS power users frustrated with Apple's default app switching.
Thanks to the accessibility community and everyone who contributed feedback.
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> TabLift β *Lift your windows. Free your workflow.*