Toybird Labs Blog
What this guide will help you do
- What macOS tiling and Stage Manager can already do
- How to keep the main workspace large on one screen
- When Pocket Screen adds value—and when built-in tools are enough
- Display limitations to check before important work
Why window switching becomes costly on one screen
Copying figures from a PDF, following web instructions or applying feedback from chat all require rapid movement between a reference and a work app. The switch is brief, but returning means finding the cursor, selected cell or unfinished sentence again.
The goal is not to show more windows. It is to rank information by importance: keep the main task large and make supporting information only as large as it needs to be readable.
Choose the layout that fits the task
Choose by how often you check the reference and whether both apps need equal space.
| Method | When it works well | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Tile two windows | Tasks that use both apps equally | Both windows can become narrow |
| Keep apps in one Stage Manager group | Switching a related set of apps together | The layout can feel tight on one screen |
| Use full screen or a separate Space | Tasks dominated by long reading sessions | You leave the work app whenever you check the reference |
| Keep a small reference window visible | Work that requires checking details every few seconds | You need to choose a readable size and position |
Pinned window vs. separate live view
Pinning keeps the original app window above other windows. A separate live view works differently: the original window stays in its normal place while a smaller live copy remains visible for reference.
Pocket Screen uses this second approach, which is closer to Picture-in-Picture for reference material than traditional window pinning.
Set up one real task step by step
- Choose the primary task
Give the document, email, spreadsheet or other creation app most of the screen. - Classify reference frequency
Decide whether the reference is read once, checked every few minutes or checked every few seconds. - Match the layout to the task
Use tiling for equal work and a smaller reference view when the second app is mainly for checking. - Check readability
Size the reference so names, figures and instructions are readable without constant zooming. - Remove the layout when finished
Close references that are no longer needed instead of carrying visual clutter into the next task.
Where it saves time in everyday work
Data entry from a reference
Keep the input position while checking invoices, price lists or specifications.
Configuration from instructions
Keep browser instructions visible while changing system settings or another app.
Applying feedback
Edit the document while keeping chat or review comments in view.
Monitoring progress
Watch an upload, export or process status in a corner while continuing other work.
What to know before you use it
Pocket Screen is a Mac app for macOS 14 or later.
Some video and app rendering methods can cause the floating view to update differently or stop.
When sensitive information is visible, also check whether it appears in screen sharing or recordings.
What we checked hands-on
Pocket Screen
We tested PDFs, browser windows, videos, and chat views with opacity, freeze, click-through, restoration, and capture exclusion on real Mac workflows.
- Test the exact screenshot, recording or sharing mode you plan to use and check the remote view
- Recheck placement after changing Spaces, full-screen mode, Stage Manager or display layout
- Use dummy notes for a sharing test before placing anything sensitive in the floating window
Official sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Can one MacBook screen still be productive?
Yes. Keep the primary task large and leave only the frequently checked reference visible to reduce switching without a second monitor.
When should I use Split View instead of a floating reference?
Use Split View when both apps are equally active. Use a floating reference when one app is primary and the other is mainly for checking.
Is this useful with an external display?
A second display gives more space. A floating reference is still useful while travelling, when you want less eye movement, or when one detail must stay above all apps.
Can I keep a live view of another Mac app visible while working in a different app?
Yes. A separate live view can keep a supported reference window visible while the original app stays in place. Pocket Screen uses this approach for supported Mac app windows.
View the product
Use Pocket Screen when you want to keep a PDF, webpage or other reference visible while you work on your Mac.