The need for dual-display dev machines is a myth. You can be just as productive with a single display!

Sure, if you like it then have two monitors. But I’ve tried it extensively and it’s always ended with neck pain. So, what do I do instead? Keyboard shortcuts for window management; you can quickly split and shift windows to half or quarter size, and effectively treat your one big monitor as multiple.

macOS users might be familiar with apps like Spectacle (OG open source option), Rectangle (its successor), and Magnet (paid alternative). I recently started using Raycast (free) and was impressed with how simple it is to configure these same keyboard shortcuts without having to install any additional software; Raycast Settings > Extensions > Window Management > Presets. I’ve also used similar tools on Windows and Linux (in fact I think I first started using window management shortcuts with Gnome on Red Hat Linux / Fedora).

The good news for you multi-monitor aficionados is these tools and shortcuts can help you manage windows across monitors too!

What’s your ultimate monitor configuration for maximum developer productivity? And what tools are your favourites for moving windows around quickly? And if you’re rocking 7 monitors, let me know if you need a good chiro/osteo recommendation!