Setpiece (formerly Scene)
Setpiece (formerly Scene): Free, open-source window layouts and workspace automation for Mac. Ranked #26 of 65 in Window Management Software by our editors (6.8/10); pricing: Free plan; best for mac users automating saved window arrangements.
At a glance
- Editor score6.8 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forMac users automating saved window arrangements
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Layout presetsYes
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Create custom layouts or use built-in presets with global keyboard shortcuts
- Workspaces can launch apps, arrange windows, and activate macOS Focus
- Triggers respond to monitor connections, times, and calendar events
Where it doesn't
- macOS only, with macOS 14 or later required
- Requires Accessibility permission to manage windows
- No app-specific window rules
Our verdict on Setpiece (formerly Scene)
Setpiece, formerly Scene, is a free, open-source window manager for macOS. It suits Mac users who want saved arrangements and app contexts they can switch between, rather than arranging windows manually each time. The menu bar app supports Apple Silicon and Intel Macs running macOS 14 or later. Its Workspaces group apps, a window layout, and a macOS Focus mode into a single context, making it relevant for solo users and small teams whose workflows depend on distinct screen setups.
The core is layout control: choose built-in presets or create layouts with customizable proportions, then apply them using global keyboard shortcuts. Setpiece supports multiple displays and applies a layout to the screen under the pointer. Windows can also be swapped between layout slots by dragging and dropping. These controls offer flexibility for people who work across monitors or repeatedly return to a few arrangements. Workspaces extend that idea beyond windows by launching and quitting apps and activating Focus. Optional triggers can respond to connecting a monitor, a scheduled time, or a calendar event, so a setup can change with context instead of relying only on manual switching.
There are meaningful boundaries. Setpiece is macOS-only and requires Accessibility permission to manage windows; it does not provide app-specific window rules. That makes it a better fit for users who want explicit layouts and workspace-level actions than for those seeking rules tailored to individual apps. The project is open source and free, with documentation as a support channel. Its official site uses the Setpiece name, while the linked source repository and privacy page still use Scene. Choose it for configurable saved arrangements and context triggers; look elsewhere if app-specific rules are central to your window-management workflow.
Your product? Our editors can test Setpiece (formerly Scene) in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Setpiece (formerly Scene) pricing
Setpiece (formerly Scene) fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Platforms | macOS |
| Maximum displays | Not verified |
| Layout presets | Yes |
| Application rules | No |
| Window grouping | Yes |
| Virtual desktop controls | Not verified |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | macOS |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | scene.hillmanchan.com |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Setpiece (formerly Scene)
- i3A configurable X11 window manager for Linux users who want precise tiling and workspace control.9.4
- SwayA free, open-source Wayland compositor for configurable window layouts and i3 users.9.3
- HyprlandA flexible Linux building block for users who want to configure their own desktop.9.2
See all Setpiece (formerly Scene) alternatives →
Used Setpiece (formerly Scene)? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Setpiece (formerly Scene) for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Setpiece (formerly Scene) is listed in our Window Management Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/setpiece-formerly-scene/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/setpiece-formerly-scene.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update