Show HN: FlashSpace – fast, open-source, macOS Spaces replacement

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Overall Reception

  • Many commenters are excited to try FlashSpace, especially those frustrated with macOS Spaces lag and animation.
  • The “no SIP, no tiling, no deep OS takeover” design is widely appreciated as a safer, less glitchy approach than typical tiling managers.
  • A subset of users say they won’t adopt it due to workflow mismatches, mainly around per-window handling and need for visible transitions.

FlashSpace Design & Features

  • Uses show/hide of applications rather than the native Spaces API; avoids heavy tiling logic and associated glitches.
  • Does not require disabling SIP.
  • Supports:
    • Unlimited workspaces.
    • Fast switching, with hotkeys to change spaces and move apps between them.
    • JSON-based configuration in ~/.config/flashspace, suitable for dotfile syncing.
    • Recently added grid view of workspaces.
  • Intentionally does not manage window layout; users are expected to pair it with tools like Rectangle Pro or similar.

Key Limitations & Pain Points

  • Space membership is app-level, not window-level:
    • You cannot keep different windows of the same app in different workspaces.
    • This is a dealbreaker for many who separate work/personal browser windows, per-project editor windows, multiple Screen Sharing hosts, etc.
    • Developer expresses interest in per-window support but notes possible macOS performance limits.
  • Some users dislike that unassigned apps get hidden when switching to a space, seeing this as requiring too much micromanagement.
  • Reports that performance under heavy load (e.g., switching while a game loads) still hits OS-level show/hide lag similar to Aerospace.

Comparisons to Other Tools

  • Versus Aerospace: FlashSpace focuses on fast workspaces without tiling; avoids Aerospace’s chronic lag but can still hit OS limits. Aerospace’s “every key is a workspace” model is seen as more convenient by some.
  • Versus yabai/TotalSpaces: avoiding SIP is a major advantage; TotalSpaces is effectively abandoned and broken on newer macOS.
  • Designed to coexist with tools like Amethyst (tiling) since FlashSpace only shows/hides apps rather than enforcing layout.

Wider macOS Window Management Discussion

  • Strong frustration with macOS Spaces animations, fixed delays, and poor multi-window/app behavior (especially browsers).
  • Mixed feelings on animations: some need instant switches; others rely on the animation for mental context switching.
  • Broader complaints about the Dock, Stage Manager, multi-monitor quirks, and reliance on third-party utilities; others defend the existing macOS model and auto-hiding Dock.