Setpiece (formerly Scene) review
Free, open-source window layouts and workspace automation for Mac.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Setpiece (formerly Scene) pros and cons
- 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
Setpiece (formerly Scene) fact sheet, pricing and score →
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