Install Rectangle
The fastest route is the direct download from the official site. Visit the Rectangle App page, download the DMG, open it, and drag Rectangle to your Applications folder.
Alternatively, if you use Homebrew: brew install --cask rectangle — installs the latest version and keeps it updated via brew upgrade.
Launch Rectangle from your Applications folder. It will appear as a small window icon in your menu bar.
Grant Accessibility permission
The first time Rectangle launches it will ask for Accessibility access. This is required — Rectangle needs it to move and resize windows that belong to other apps.
Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility and toggle Rectangle on. If the toggle is greyed out, click the lock icon at the bottom and authenticate first.
If Rectangle doesn't move windows after installation, the Accessibility permission is almost always the cause. Revoke it, re-grant it, then relaunch Rectangle.
Configure shortcuts
Open Rectangle Preferences (⌘, while Rectangle is focused, or click the menu-bar icon → Preferences). You'll see a grid of all snap positions, each with an editable shortcut field.
The defaults follow a ⌃⌥ + arrow key pattern that rarely conflicts with system or app shortcuts. Common customisations:
- Left Half — ⌃⌥← (default)
- Right Half — ⌃⌥→ (default)
- Maximise — ⌃⌥↵ (default)
- Next Display — ⌃⌥⌘→
Pro tips
Enable Repeated commands cycle through sizes in Preferences — pressing Left Half twice snaps the window to two-thirds; a third press gives one-third. It triples your effective layout options without learning new shortcuts.
On multi-monitor setups, use the Move to Next Display shortcut. Rectangle App moves the active window to the next screen and snaps it proportionally.
Frequently asked questions
Does Rectangle launch at login?
Yes — by default Rectangle adds itself to Login Items. You can disable this in Preferences → Launch at Login.
How do I update Rectangle?
Click the Rectangle menu-bar icon → Check for Updates. If you installed via Homebrew, run brew upgrade rectangle.
Can I import shortcuts from another window manager?
Rectangle doesn't have a direct import tool, but shortcuts are stored in ~/Library/Preferences/com.knollsoft.Rectangle.plist, which you can edit with a plist editor to bulk-configure keys.