One of the biggest limitations of the default macOS application switcher is that it only shows app icons. If you have five different Safari windows open, or multiple project windows in Xcode, the default switcher gives you no visual indication of which window is which.
Enabling Previews
CmdTab replaces static icons with live, real-time window previews. To enable this feature:
- Open CmdTab Settings.
- Navigate to the Appearance tab.
- Toggle Show Window Previews to ON.
Adjusting Preview Size
You can customize how large the window previews appear. Larger previews make text and images easier to discern, but take up more screen real estate. Small previews allow you to fit more open apps on screen at once.
- Small: Best for users who keep dozens of apps open simultaneously.
- Medium (Default): The perfect balance of visibility and screen space.
- Large: Best for users with large monitors who want maximum visual detail.
Performance Modes
Capturing live window previews requires system resources. CmdTab is heavily optimized, but you can configure its capture rate:
- High Fidelity (60fps): Previews update smoothly as video plays or UI animates.
- Battery Saver (Static): Captures a single snapshot of the window when you invoke the switcher. Recommended for older Macs or when running on battery power.