Cerberus - Multi-Monitor Workspace Manager for Windows

Cerberus is a powerful workspace management tool for Windows that brings Linux-style virtual workspaces to multi-monitor setups. Written in AutoHotkey v2, it allows you to organize windows across multiple workspaces and quickly switch between them.

Features

• 20 Virtual Workspaces: Organize your windows across 20 different workspaces
• Multi-Monitor Support: Each monitor can display a different workspace
• Save/Load System: Automatically saves and restores workspace layouts between sessions
• Visual Indicators: Overlays show active workspace numbers and custom workspace names
• Window Tiling: Built-in tiling functionality to arrange windows in a grid
• Unused Workspace Navigation: Quickly jump to empty workspaces
• Layout Preservation: Maintains window stacking order and relative size/positions when switching workspaces

Requirements

• Windows 10 or later
• AutoHotkey v2.0 or later
• Administrator privileges recommended for managing all window types

Installation

1. Install AutoHotkey v2.0
2. Download cerberus.ahk
3. Run the script by double-clicking it
4. Optionally, add to Windows startup for automatic launch

Keyboard Shortcuts

Workspace Switching (changes workspace on active monitor)

• Alt+1 to Alt+9: Switch to workspaces 1-9
• Alt+0: Switch to workspace 10
• Ctrl+Alt+1 to Ctrl+Alt+9: Switch to workspaces 11-19
• Ctrl+Alt+0: Switch to workspace 20

Window Management (moves active window to workspace)

• Alt+Shift+1 to Alt+Shift+9: Send window to workspaces 1-9
• Alt+Shift+0: Send window to workspace 10
• Ctrl+Shift+Alt+1 to Ctrl+Shift+Alt+9: Send window to workspaces 11-19
• Ctrl+Shift+Alt+0: Send window to workspace 20

Unused Workspace Navigation

• Alt+Up: Switch to next unused workspace
• Alt+Down: Switch to previous unused workspace
• Alt+Shift+Up: Send window to next unused workspace
• Alt+Shift+Down: Send window to previous unused workspace

Utility Functions

• Alt+Shift+O: Toggle workspace overlays and borders
• Alt+Shift+W: Show workspace map (displays all workspaces and their windows)
• Alt+Shift+T: Tile windows on active monitor
• Alt+Shift+N: Name/rename current workspace
• Alt+Shift+R: Refresh monitor configuration
• Alt+Shift+H: Show help/instructions

How It Works

Active Monitor

The "active monitor" is determined by your mouse cursor position. This is the monitor affected when you switch workspaces or assign custom names.

Workspace Assignment

• When Cerberus starts, it checks if there's an existing save file
• If a save file exists:
  • Windows are loaded to their last known workspaces
  • Most recently active workspaces are displayed on the appropriate monitors
• If no save file exists:
  • Assigns sequential workspaces to each monitor (Monitor 1 → Workspace 1, Monitor 2 → Workspace 2, etc.)
  • Windows on each monitor are automatically assigned to that monitor's workspace
  • Unassigned windows default to workspace 0

Window Memory

• Cerberus remembers window positions and sizes relative to monitor dimensions, as well as Z-order per workspace
• When switching workspaces, windows are minimized/restored automatically
• Window positions are preserved even when moving between monitors of different sizes

Workspace Naming

• Workspaces can be named for easier identification
• Names appear in the lower-left corner overlay
• Alt+Shift+N to assign a custom workspace name
• Sending a window to an empty unnamed workspace automatically names it after the program

File Locations

• Logs: ./logs/cerberus_[timestamp].log
• Workspace state: ./config/workspace_state.json

Tips

1. Quick Organization: Use Alt+Shift+Up/Down to quickly send windows to new workspaces
2. Monitor Focus: Move your mouse to a monitor before switching its workspace
3. Persistence: Workspace layouts are automatically saved and restored between sessions
4. Tiling: Use Alt+Shift+T to quickly arrange all windows on the current workspace in a grid

Troubleshooting

• Windows not switching: Run as administrator for better window management capabilities
• Overlays not showing: Press Alt+Shift+O to toggle overlay visibility
• Lost windows: Use Alt+Shift+W to see all workspaces and their windows
• Monitor changes: Press Alt+Shift+R after connecting/disconnecting monitors

License

This project is open source. Feel free to modify and distribute according to your needs.

Version

Current version: 1.0.1