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Stage Manager vs Assignee: Which One Actually Improves Focus?
Jamie Chen
UX designer and productivity enthusiast focused on optimizing digital workflows.
7 min read
Apple's Stage Manager is a visual way to manage app windows—but if you're serious about speed and flow, visuals might not be what you need.
What Is Stage Manager?
Stage Manager groups windows into floating sets and hides the rest, aiming to reduce clutter. But switching between groups still involves:
- Mouse interaction
- Visual scanning
- Limited keyboard access
How Assignee Is Different
Assignee keeps your hands on the keyboard:
- Local shortcuts: Press Ctrl + Tab, then a single key to jump directly to an app
- Window-level control: Jump to a specific VSCode window or project
- Instant switching: No Enter key, no delay
Which Helps You Focus?
- Stage Manager = prettier multitasking
- Assignee = faster focus shifting
Final Thought
Stage Manager looks tidy. Assignee feels tidy. For flow-based work, Assignee is the clear winner.
