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Multi-Window Support

Work with multiple windows simultaneously on macOS to view responses, collections, and flows in separate windows.

3 min read

RESTK supports multiple concurrent windows on macOS, allowing you to detach specific views into separate windows for enhanced productivity.

Quick Start

Detach a Window

Click the detach button on a response viewer or collection browser

Work Independently

The detached content opens in a new window

Close When Done

Close the detached window when you're finished

macOS Only

Multi-window support is available on macOS 14+ only.


Detachable Windows

RESTK supports two types of detachable windows:

Response Viewer

Detach response windows to compare multiple API responses side-by-side.

To detach:

  1. Send a request
  2. Click the Detach button in the response panel
  3. The response opens in a separate window

Use cases:

  • Compare responses from different endpoints
  • Keep a reference response visible while testing
  • View long responses without scrolling in the main window

Collection Browser

Open a full collection tree in a separate window for easy navigation.

To detach:

  1. Click the Detach button on the collection browser
  2. The collection browser opens in a separate window

Use cases:

  • Browse large collections without switching context
  • View collection structure while editing requests

Window Management

Opening Windows

Click the Detach button on any detachable view to open it in a new window.

Closing Windows

  • Click the red close button (standard macOS)
  • Press Cmd+W to close the active window

Window Focus

  • Click on a window to bring it to the front
  • Use Cmd+` to cycle through RESTK windows (standard macOS window cycling)

Data Synchronization

Shared State

All windows share the same data. Changes in one window appear immediately in all other windows — no manual refresh needed.

Update Propagation

Example: Edit a request in the main window

  1. Save the request
  2. All other open windows update automatically
  3. No manual refresh needed

Automatic Sync

All windows stay in sync automatically. You don't need to refresh manually.


Window Positioning

Custom Positioning

  • Drag windows to any position
  • Resize windows as needed
  • Positions persist across app relaunches

Multi-Monitor Support

  • Detached windows can be dragged to external displays
  • Each display can have multiple RESTK windows
  • No restrictions on monitor count

Keyboard Shortcuts

ShortcutAction
Cmd+`Cycle through RESTK windows
Cmd+WClose active window
Cmd+MMinimize window
Cmd+Ctrl+FToggle fullscreen

Best Practices

  1. Use Response Windows for Comparisons — Open multiple response windows to compare API outputs
  2. Keep Collection Browser Open — Detach the browser for quick navigation while editing
  3. Organize by Monitor — Place detached windows on a second monitor for maximum screen real estate
  4. Close When Done — Close unused windows to reduce clutter

Limitations

Current limitations:

  • No window tabs (use multiple windows instead)
  • No window tiling (manually arrange windows)
  • No cross-window drag & drop for requests

Troubleshooting

Window Won't Open

Check:

  • macOS 14+ (required for multi-window)
  • Sufficient screen space

Solution:

  • Update macOS if needed
  • Restart RESTK

Windows Not Syncing

Check:

  • All windows are for the same workspace
  • Active workspace matches

Solution:

  • Ensure you're in the correct workspace
  • Restart RESTK if sync stops

Next Steps