Why use a Dock alternative for window switching?

The macOS Dock gives an app a single icon even when it has several windows. You can use the app's Dock menu to choose a window, but a visible window list lets you read the title and select it directly.

  • See individual windows rather than one entry per app.
  • Click the window you need, or use ⌘Tab to reach it from the keyboard.
  • Keep related windows together in named groups across apps.

Use a Mac window sidebar or a bottom window dock

Open Contexts supports multiple displays: the app bar can sit on the left, right or bottom edge of each display, and the window switcher also works on multiple displays. A sidebar gives window titles a vertical list; the bottom bar places the same windows in a horizontal row. Both are views of your open windows.

Choose an always-visible bar when you want the list in view. Choose hover mode when you want it to appear as your pointer reaches the screen edge. You can show app icons alone or include window titles and Dock badges.

The bottom bar shrinks its entries evenly when space is limited.

Organize your sidebar by the task, not just the app

For a release, you might keep an editor, terminal and issue-tracker window in one group. A research group might contain browser and notes windows. Create a group with the ＋ button, drag windows into it, and drag windows or group headings to change their order.

Right-click a window and choose Pin to keep its place during automatic list updates. Group names and ordering are saved locally; windows that can be matched return to their saved place after restarting Open Contexts.

Saved groups organize the window list. They do not reopen closed apps, restore desktop window sizes or positions, or move windows into another macOS Space.

When a window sidebar fits your workflow

  • Several windows from the same app: use titles to distinguish browser profiles, documents or terminal sessions.
  • Mouse and keyboard together: click a visible window in the bar, then use ⌘Tab when your hands are on the keyboard.
  • Work split into tasks: keep code, communication and research windows in groups you arrange yourself.

If you mainly open apps and rarely choose between their windows, the system Dock may already cover your workflow. If keyboard switching is your priority, start with the Mac window switching guide.

A window dock alongside the macOS Dock

Open Contexts provides an alternative way to reach open windows. It does not replace all the jobs of the system Dock: use macOS for launching apps, file stacks and the Trash. Open Contexts does not modify or hide your Dock; hiding it is an optional system setting.

The app focuses on window selection and saved groups. It does not currently offer live window previews, window search, trackpad switching gestures, snapping or automatic tiling. A saved group is a list organization feature, not a desktop layout.

Compare the sidebar and search tradeoffs in Open Contexts vs Contexts, or browse the window switcher comparison.

Set up your Mac window sidebar

  1. Download the Universal DMG from GitHub Releases. Open Contexts targets macOS 13 Ventura or later.
  2. Open the DMG, drag OpenContexts.app into Applications and launch it. The app lives in your menu bar.
  3. From its menu bar icon, choose Grant Accessibility Permission and enable Open Contexts in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility. Quit and relaunch the app if the bar does not populate.
  4. Open Settings from the menu bar icon. Choose the left, right or bottom position, then always-visible or hover mode and your preferred icon/title display.
  5. Click ＋ to create your first group. Drag related windows into it, then click a window title to bring that window forward.

The installation guide covers macOS opening restrictions and permission troubleshooting. Full-screen behavior still needs broader real-world verification; check the workflow you rely on.

Frequently asked questions

Is this a free Mac Dock alternative?

It is free and open source under Apache 2.0, with no account, subscription or trial limit. It is a Dock alternative for selecting open windows, rather than a replacement for every system Dock feature.

Can I put the sidebar on the right or use a bottom bar?

Yes. Open Settings from the menu bar icon and choose left, right or bottom. You can also choose whether the bar stays visible or appears when your pointer reaches the edge.

Does it replace the paid app called Sidebar?

Open Contexts and Sidebar are separate products. This guide uses “sidebar” to describe the vertical window list in Open Contexts; it does not claim to reproduce every feature of another app.

Will my window groups survive a restart?

Group names and order are saved locally, together with the group and order of windows that can be matched. Closed apps are not reopened and their desktop layouts are not restored.

Give your open windows a place

Try the sidebar or bottom window dock, create a group for one task, and see whether choosing windows by title fits your day.

Download for macOSTry the online demo

Prefer keyboard switching? Read how to switch between windows on Mac. For search and sidebar differences, see Open Contexts vs Contexts. Product details and the screenshot originals are available in the project README.

Comparing Dock tools? Read Open Contexts vs Sidebar, Open Contexts vs uBar, Open Contexts vs DockDoor. The DockDoor article distinguishes the free app from the separate paid Pro product.