Questions

Is it really free? Will it stay free?

Yes. Orthant is free and open source under the MIT licence, and everything it does today stays free. That is a commitment, not a launch offer. There is no trial, no upgrade prompt, and no feature waiting behind a paywall.

Why does it need Accessibility permission?

Moving another app's windows is only possible through the macOS Accessibility API, and macOS gates that API behind System Settings ▸ Privacy & Security ▸ Accessibility. Every window manager on the Mac works this way.

It is the only permission Orthant asks for. It does not read your screen, your keystrokes outside its own shortcuts, or your files.

Why isn't it on the Mac App Store?

Moving another app's windows requires the Accessibility API, which does not work inside the App Sandbox, and the App Store requires the sandbox. Orthant cannot be distributed through the Mac App Store under its current rules.

Instead each release is signed with an Apple Developer ID and notarized by Apple, so it opens without a detour through System Settings.

Does it collect anything?

The app has no account and sends no telemetry. Its only network access is checking for updates, which you can switch off. This website counts page views with a cookieless analytics service. The full detail is on the privacy page.

Does it conflict with macOS tiling, Rectangle, or Moom?

No. Orthant acts only on the shortcuts you give it, so it coexists with macOS's built-in tiling and with any other window manager. If two apps want the same combination, rebind one of them. Orthant's Shortcuts pane tells you when macOS itself has already claimed a chord.

Windows? Linux?

Windows support is planned, behind the same interface the macOS version uses.

Linux is not possible. Wayland does not let one application move another's windows, by design, and no amount of work gets around that.

How do updates work?

Orthant updates itself in place, verifying each update's signature before applying it. Your permission, shortcuts and regions are untouched. If you installed with Homebrew, brew upgrade deliberately skips Orthant rather than fighting the built-in updater. See Updates.

How do I get help?

Start with Troubleshooting. If that does not help, open an issue.