How Punaise works
macOS 14+ · Works on your Mac · Works offline
What is Punaise?
Punaise is a spatial switcher for macOS. Active windows receive free addresses automatically, then stay fixed. Add files, links, and notes and return to everything by position instead of rescanning a list.
After you buy and activate a licence ($19, one-time), Punaise runs quietly in the menu bar. It has no Dock icon and never opens the board at launch.
A map that stays yours
Mission Control and ⌘Tab rebuild their visual order as windows come and go. Punaise assigns only new windows to empty slots; it does not sort, reflow, or promote existing items. A pin moves only when you move or swap it.
Hold your shortcut for a momentary board: aim at a pin and release to open it. Tap the shortcut quickly when you need the board to remain open while you copy or arrange something.
How do I create a pin?
Choose the method that matches what is already in your hand:
- Current window — click an empty slot to pin the window visible behind Punaise.
- Drag and drop — drop a window or Finder item onto the slot where it belongs.
- Finder and content — drop a file, image, selected text, or URL directly onto its address.
Dropping external content onto an occupied slot replaces that address in place. Dragging one pinned card onto another swaps their two positions. No third card moves.
Preview and move between pages
Moving the pointer over a slot selects it without opening anything. Press Space for a large centred preview, then Space again to close it. Clicking opens the destination.
Each page contains fixed addresses. Swipe horizontally with the trackpad to move between pages; the board tracks your gesture directly and settles like macOS Spaces.
If a pinned window closes, the original slot remains visible in a matte state with the app name and Window Closed. It is never silently deleted.
Which permissions are required?
Accessibility is required. It lets Punaise detect the global shortcut, list windows, and bring the exact chosen window forward.
Screen Recording is optional. It only adds still window thumbnails. Without it, the complete app still works using the app icon and window title. Punaise does not keep a permanent capture stream.
Privacy
Your board is local. Punaise persists references and slot geometry, not window or file contents. Optional thumbnails are still captures refreshed when the board opens and are not uploaded.
Punaise windows are excluded from capture. The punaise.app account is only for purchase, licence delivery, and protected download — not for using or syncing the board.
Licence and install
- Open Account for your licence key and Mac download.
- Install the app, then paste the key in Settings → Licence. Each licence binds to one device.
Requirements: macOS 14+. Accessibility permission is required after installation.
Frequently asked questions
What is Punaise?
Punaise is a native macOS spatial switcher. Active windows receive free addresses automatically, then keep them. Add files, links, and notes and return to everything by position.
How is Punaise different from Mission Control or Cmd-Tab?
Mission Control and Cmd-Tab rebuild their layout whenever you use them. Punaise only assigns new windows to free addresses and never moves existing pins, so spatial memory replaces rescanning.
What can I pin?
Pin the current window with a click, or drop a Finder file, image, selected text, or URL directly onto the slot where it belongs.
What happens when a pinned window closes?
Its pin stays exactly where you put it and becomes matte, with the app name and Window Closed state still visible. You can replace that address without moving anything else.
Which macOS permissions does Punaise need?
Accessibility is required to detect the shortcut and bring a precise window forward. Screen Recording is optional and only adds still thumbnails; without it, pins remain fully usable with their app icon and title.
How much does Punaise cost?
Punaise is a one-time purchase at $19 (launch price; regular $29). Each license binds to one device on macOS 14+.
Does Punaise send anything to a server?
No board content is uploaded. Punaise stores local references and positions, while the punaise.app account exists only for purchase, license delivery, and download.
Need more?
Product overview on the home page. Legal details: Privacy · Legal notice.