Tablift

TabLift is a lightweight macOS utility that restores minimized apps instantly when switching with ⌘+Tab.
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 → tablift.mihai.sh

Features

• Instantly restores minimized windows when you switch to an app using ⌘+Tab
• No need to press extra keys — just switch!
• Native macOS experience (built with Swift, SwiftUI, and AppKit)
• Runs quietly in the background with minimal resource usage
• Open source and privacy-friendly
• Compatible with Mission Control, multiple desktops, and most macOS versions
• Modern About window with clickable version and license links
• Website included in the repo, for documentation and SEO

How It Works

TabLift uses public Apple APIs to monitor when you activate a different app (via NSWorkspace notifications).
As soon as an app is activated, TabLift checks for minimized windows via the Accessibility API (AXUIElement).
If a minimized window is found, it is instantly restored for you.

Technical flow:

1. Listening: AppMonitor listens for app activation events.
2. Restoring: WindowManager inspects the app's window list. If any window is minimized, it sets the AXMinimized attribute to false.
3. Permissions: On first launch, PermissionsService prompts you to grant Accessibility permissions, which are required for window management.
4. UI: The About window (built in SwiftUI) provides quick links and info, including clickable version and license links.

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.

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

TabLift has a simple About window with helpful links:

Know more about TabLift • Buy me a coffee • Source code on GitHub • Email support

File Structure

TabLift/
├── Sources/
│   ├── TabLiftApp.swift          // Main app entry point and delegate
│   ├── AppMonitor.swift          // Listens for app switch events
│   ├── WindowManager.swift       // Restores minimized windows
│   ├── PermissionsService.swift  // Handles Accessibility permissions
│   └── AboutView.swift           // SwiftUI About & links window
├── website/                      // SvelteKit-powered website
│   ├── src/
│   ├── static/
│   ├── package.json
│   └── ... (SvelteKit structure)
├── Images/
│   ├── banner.png
│   └── app-screenshot.png
├── Assets.xcassets/
├── Info.plist
└── TabLift.xcodeproj

Tech Stack

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

License

MIT 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(my voices).

TabLift – Lift your windows. Free your workflow.