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Window Management

Vigilare's window management gives you precise control over how your reminders stay visible. Whether you need tasks floating above everything or tucked away on your desktop, you have complete flexibility.

Window Levels​

Control where the Vigilare window sits in your window stack.

Always on Top (Floating)​

What It Does: The window stays above all other windows, even in fullscreen apps.

Best For:

  • Working in fullscreen IDEs or editors
  • Keeping tasks visible during presentations (then minimize to icon)
  • Ensuring reminders never get hidden

How It Works:

  • Window remains topmost across all applications
  • Still clickable and movable
  • Respects minimize mode

Configuration:

  1. Open Settings (⚙ button or ⌘,)
  2. Navigate to General tab
  3. Select "Always on Top" under Window Level

Use Cases:

Developer Scenario:
- Coding in fullscreen VS Code
- Sprint tasks float above the editor
- Glance at tasks without leaving fullscreen

Writer Scenario:
- Writing in fullscreen mode
- Deadlines visible in the corner
- No context switching needed

Normal Level​

What It Does: The window behaves like any standard macOS application window.

Best For:

  • Regular multitasking workflows
  • When you want reminders visible but not intrusive
  • Working with multiple windows where all need equal priority

How It Works:

  • Window can be covered by other windows
  • Click to bring to front when needed
  • Stacks with other windows naturally

Configuration:

  1. Settings → General
  2. Select "Normal" under Window Level

Use Cases:

Project Manager Scenario:
- Multiple project windows open
- Task list as one of many windows
- Cmd+Tab to switch to reminders when needed

Desktop Level​

What It Does: The window sits below all other windows, like desktop icons.

Best For:

  • Ambient task awareness
  • When you need it visible but never in the way
  • Background reference while working

How It Works:

  • Always behind regular windows
  • Visible when desktop is shown
  • Perfect for wallpaper-style display

Configuration:

  1. Settings → General
  2. Select "Desktop" under Window Level

Use Cases:

Multi-Monitor Setup:
- Dedicate second monitor to background info
- Reminders on desktop level
- Never covers active work

Ambient Display:
- Tasks visible when switching apps
- Shows briefly between context switches
- Unobtrusive reference

Multi-Space Support​

Control how Vigilare appears across macOS Spaces (virtual desktops).

Show on All Spaces​

What It Does: The window appears on every Space you switch to.

Best For:

  • Keeping tasks visible across all workspaces
  • When you need reminders everywhere
  • Consistent task visibility

How It Works:

  • Window follows you between Spaces
  • Same position maintained on each Space
  • Works with Mission Control

Configuration:

  1. Settings → General
  2. Select "All Spaces" under Space Display
  3. Restart Vigilare for changes to take effect

Behavior Notes:

  • Requires app restart to apply
  • Window maintains same screen position across Spaces
  • Works with fullscreen apps

Use Cases:

Space 1: Browser for research
Space 2: Code editor
Space 3: Communication apps
→ Reminders visible in all three

Current Space Only​

What It Does: The window stays on the Space where you opened it.

Best For:

  • Dedicating specific Spaces to specific workflows
  • Keeping work and personal tasks separated
  • Reducing distraction in focused Spaces

How It Works:

  • Window lives on one Space
  • Disappears when you switch Spaces
  • Reappears when you return

Configuration:

  1. Settings → General
  2. Select "Current Space Only"
  3. Restart Vigilare

Use Cases:

Workflow Separation:
- Space 1: Work (with work reminders)
- Space 2: Personal (no reminders visible)
- Space 3: Media (no reminders visible)

Minimize Mode (Iconify)​

Collapse the window to a tiny circular icon.

What Is Iconify?​

The minimize mode transforms the full Vigilare window into a small, circular icon that stays where you placed it. This gives you the option to completely hide the task list while keeping quick access.

How to Iconify​

Two Ways to Activate:

  1. Keyboard Shortcut: Press ⌘E
  2. Title Bar Button: Click the minimize button

The Icon:

  • Small circular button
  • Positioned where you minimized from
  • Floats at the same window level
  • Click or double-click to restore

When to Use Iconify​

Screen Sharing:

Before sharing screen:
1. Press ⌘E to iconify
2. Share your screen
3. Tasks hidden from view
4. Click icon to restore after

Focused Work Sessions:

Deep focus time:
1. Iconify to remove visual distraction
2. Icon remains accessible
3. Quick restore when needed
4. No need to close the app

Presentations:

During presentations:
1. Iconify before presenting
2. Clean screen for audience
3. Personal tasks remain private
4. Restore after presentation

Restore from Icon​

Two Ways to Restore:

  1. Click Icon: Single click the circular icon
  2. Double-Click Icon: Double-click for immediate restore

Position Persistence​

Vigilare remembers your window position.

How It Works​

Automatic Saving:

  • Position saved whenever you move the window
  • Size saved whenever you resize
  • Settings persist across app launches
  • Per-screen memory (remembers different positions on different displays)

What's Remembered:

  • X and Y coordinates
  • Window width and height
  • Which display the window was on

Recovery Scenarios:

  • App restart: Returns to last position
  • Display disconnect: Repositions to main display
  • Display reconnect: Attempts to restore original position

Managing Positions​

Reset Position: If the window is off-screen or in an awkward position:

  1. Quit Vigilare
  2. Delete preferences file: 
    ~/Library/Preferences/jp.labee.floating-reminders.plist
  3. Restart Vigilare
  4. Window appears at default position

Multi-Display Setup:

  • Window remembers position per display
  • Moving between displays saves new position
  • Disconnecting displays safely repositions window

Best Practices​

Optimal Window Positioning​

Single Monitor:

Recommended: Bottom-right or top-right corner
- Out of the way of main content
- Glanceable without head movement
- Doesn't block important UI elements

Dual Monitors:

Recommended: Secondary monitor edge
- Dedicate screen real estate
- Primary monitor stays clean
- Easy peripheral vision check

Laptop + External:

Recommended: Laptop screen corner
- External monitor for main work
- Laptop for ambient task visibility
- No external screen clutter

Window Level Strategies​

By Work Style:

  • Fullscreen Workers: Always on Top
  • Window Jugglers: Normal Level
  • Multi-Monitor Users: Normal or Desktop

By Task Urgency:

  • High Priority Projects: Always on Top
  • Ongoing Work: Normal Level
  • Reference Lists: Desktop Level

Space Configuration Tips​

Dedicated Workflow Spaces:

Space 1: Communication (Current Space Only)
Space 2: Code (All Spaces - see everywhere)
Space 3: Design (Current Space Only)
Space 4: Research (Current Space Only)

Focus Mode Approach:

Work Spaces: All Spaces enabled
Personal Spaces: Hide reminders (iconify)

Common Workflows​

The Presenter​

Before Presentation:
1. Set window level to Normal
2. Iconify with ⌘E
3. Start presentation
4. Tasks hidden but accessible

After Presentation:
1. Click icon to restore
2. Back to always on top

The Multi-Tasker​

Daily Workflow:
1. Normal window level
2. All Spaces enabled
3. Position in corner
4. Visible but not intrusive
5. Bring to front when needed

The Focused Developer​

Deep Work Session:
1. Always on Top level
2. Position outside code editor view
3. Sprint tasks always visible
4. Iconify during pairing sessions

The Clean Desktop Lover​

Minimalist Setup:
1. Desktop level
2. Current Space Only
3. Visible during Space switching
4. Never covers active work
5. Reference without distraction

Troubleshooting​

Window Disappeared​

Check These:

  1. Is it iconified? Look for small circular icon
  2. Dock: Click icon to show window
  3. Different Space? Switch Spaces to locate
  4. Off-screen? Reset preferences (see Position Persistence)

Window Won't Stay on Top​

Verify Settings:

  1. Settings → General → Window Level
  2. Ensure "Always on Top" is selected
  3. Restart app if recently changed

Iconify Not Working​

Common Solutions:

  1. Ensure window is focused
  2. Try keyboard shortcut: ⌘E
  3. Check if minimize button is visible
  4. Restart Vigilare if persistent

Space Behavior Not Changing​

Remember:

  • Space display changes require app restart
  • Quit and relaunch Vigilare
  • Changes take effect immediately after restart