Command-Tab Plus

Command-Tab (often written as ⌘ + Tab) is the name of the built-in keyboard shortcut on macOS used to quickly switch between open applications. When you press and hold the Command (⌘) key and tap the Tab (⇥) key, an Application Switcher overlay appears, showing the icons of all currently running apps.

Standard macOS Behavior

• App Switching (⌘ + Tab): Pressing ⌘ + Tab cycles you through the applications, regardless of how many windows are open in each one. You release the keys when the desired app icon is selected to bring that entire application to the front.

• Window Switching (⌘ + ` ): To switch between different windows of the same application (e.g., three different open Finder windows or two Chrome windows), you use the shortcut Command (⌘) + Grave Accent (` ) (the key typically above Tab and next to 1).

CommandTab" as a Utility App

Because the default macOS Command-Tab behavior only switches between applications and not individual windows across all apps (like the Alt + Tab shortcut does on Windows), several third-party utilities have been created to replace or enhance this function.

If you are referring to one of these apps, the most popular ones are:

• Command-Tab Plus: An application that replaces the built-in switcher with a more customizable and keyboard-centric alternative. It allows for quick switching using digital shortcuts (1, 2, 3, etc.) and offers features like isolating apps in Spaces (Desktops) and hiding inactive apps.

• AltTab: An open-source application designed specifically to bring the Windows-style Alt + Tab functionality to macOS. It shows previews of every single open window (not just app icons) from all applications, letting you switch directly to a specific window with a single action.