Show HN: emcee – macOS Stage Manager alternative
I am one of the (dozens!) of users of Stage Manager, but I don't like some of its UX choices. For example, it moves newly opened windows into a new stage, which breaks my focus. I spent some time trying to see if I could modify SkyLight and Window Manager to tweak Stage Manager behaviors, but this required me to turn off SIP and the experience was janky. So I built a full replacement that still feels great to use. You can make as many stages as you want, reorder them, and drag windows and apps b
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points · 1 votes
2026-11-08 17:45:21.457Z
cumulative since publication
Research analysis
What changed
Source account: I am one of the (dozens!) of users of Stage Manager, but I don't like some of its UX choices. For example, it moves newly opened windows into a new stage, which breaks my focus. I spent some time trying to see if I could modify SkyLight and Window Manager to tweak Stage Manager behaviors, but this required me to turn off SIP and the experience was janky. So I built a full replacement that still feels great to use. You can make as many stages as you want, reorder them, and drag windows and apps b
Version & cost evidence
Source votes: 1 votes (Nov 8, 2026 UTC; cumulative since publication) Recent records to compare: “Show HN: Remedy – Prompt stuff out of your feeds” (Show HN, Nov 8, 2026); “Show HN: Search Everywhere at Once. Instantly” (Show HN, Nov 8, 2026). Shared themes are navigation hints; they have not been verified as the same need or independent corroboration.
Who is affected
Identify the existing workflow this change affects before recommending an upgrade. Launch attention does not establish improvement; an API, pricing or availability change may instead create migration work.
Missing comparison points
Missing checks: old versus new behavior, affected plans and regions, availability date, compatibility, rollback path and cost under the same workload.
Migration check
Save the release or policy notice, run the same task on the old and new option, and compare outputs and the full bill. For retirement notices, verify the deadline before scheduling migration.