Aerospace: bringing i3 tiling to macOS in 2026

Mac window management has always been frustrating — even after 26+ years of using macOS. In this video, I set up Aerospace, an i3-like tiling window manager for Mac, using Nix package manager and Claude Code. Coming from a Hyperland setup on Linux, I wanted to bring that same tiling workflow to macOS. We walk through the full setup process from scratch: installing Aerospace via Nix Darwin, configuring keybindings, troubleshooting modifier key conflicts (the classic Alt/Option collision on Mac), setting up Karabiner Elements for a Hyper key, fixing Dvorak layout issues, and assigning apps to specific workspaces. This is a real-time, unscripted walkthrough — every stumbling block included. What's covered: Why Mac window management needs help Installing Aerospace via Nix package manager Initial configuration with i3-style keybindings Alt/Option key conflicts on macOS Setting up Hyper key with Karabiner Elements Debugging keybindings and accessibility permissions Fixing Dvorak layout with Aerospace key mapping Moving windows between workspaces Auto-assigning apps to workspaces (browser, editor) Final thoughts and next steps Tools used: Aerospace, Nix (nix-darwin), Claude Code, Karabiner Elements, Ghostty terminal, Cursor editor #macOS #windowmanagement #aerospace #tilingwindowmanager #i3wm #nixos #nixdarwin #karabiner #hyperkey #dvorak #devtools #productivity #claudecode