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How to set up a coding workspace on Mac

Editor, terminal and browser exactly where you want them, every time you sit down.

By Geethika Tatiparthi · October 22, 2026 · I make TidyFrame, which is mentioned below.

Short answer: Put your editor on the left two thirds, the browser on the right third, and the terminal below or on a second screen. Then save that arrangement as a workspace in a window manager like TidyFrame, so one shortcut puts every window back. The window manager places your apps; your editor still reopens your project folder as usual.

Layouts that work

Setup	Layout
MacBook only	Editor left two thirds, browser right third; terminal inside the editor or on a second desktop
One external monitor	Editor left half, browser top right, terminal bottom right
Two monitors	Editor full screen on the main display; browser and terminal stacked on the second
Vertical second monitor	Docs, logs or chat stacked in top and bottom halves

Build it once with shortcuts

With TidyFrame's default shortcuts: click the editor and press ⌃⌥ E (left two thirds), click the browser and press ⌃⌥ G (right third). For the monitor setup, use ⌃⌥ ← for the left half and ⌃⌥ I / K for top right and bottom right. Send a window to the other screen with ⌃⌥⌘ →. Full cheat sheet.

Save it and get it back in one key

Open TidyFrame → Workspaces → Save as Workspace.
Name it "Coding" and record a shortcut, for example ⌃⌥⌘ 1.
Next time, open your project in your editor as usual and press the shortcut: the editor, terminal and browser jump into place, and closed apps can open by themselves.

Make more: "Review" with the browser large and the editor small, or "Debug" with logs on the second screen. A workspace holds up to 6 windows.

Small habits that help

App rules: tell TidyFrame your terminal always opens in the bottom right, so new windows land in place.
Use ⌘ ` to jump between windows of the same app, like two editor windows.
Hide chat and mail with ⌘ H while you focus; a separate desktop for them works too.

Questions

What is a good window layout for coding on a MacBook?

Editor on the left two thirds of the screen and the browser on the right third, with the terminal inside the editor or on a second desktop.

Can TidyFrame reopen my project folder?

No. TidyFrame places and opens apps, but it doesn't open specific files or folders. Open your project in your editor as usual; editors like VS Code and Xcode also reopen your last project themselves.

How many windows can a TidyFrame workspace hold?

Up to 6 windows per workspace, and you can save as many workspaces as you like.

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