Tablift

TabLift is a lightweight macOS utility that restores minimized apps instantly when switching with ⌘ Tab or ⌘ `.
By default, macOS ignores minimized windows unless you hold the Option key.
TabLift fixes this behavior, making app switching intuitive and seamless — no extra keys needed.

🌐 Visit the TabLift website

Features

• Instantly restores minimized windows when you switch to an app using ⌘ Tab or ⌘ `
  • Restore all minimized windows on app switch: When you hit ⌘ Tab or ⌘ `, 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 ⌘ ` 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
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

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:

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 → Privacy & Security → Accessibility → Enable TabLift

UI Preview

Star History

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:

   git checkout -b feature/your-feature-name
   

3. Push and open a PR

Support Development

• Buy me a coffee to fuel development
• Star the repo to help others discover TabLift

License

AGPL-3.0 License
© Mihai-Eduard Ghețu – See 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.

TabLift – Lift your windows. Free your workflow.