> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://da-home-studio.gitbook.io/elementary-os-user-handbook/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://da-home-studio.gitbook.io/elementary-os-user-handbook/overview/desktop-tour/multitasking.md).

# Multitasking

Feel like Gaius Julius Caesar

Performing several tasks simultaneously is not something extraordinary nowadays, it's often a necessity or a desire to combine work and pleasure. A familiar situation to everyone: tasks such as listening to the music or downloading files from the Internet are performed in the background while you are coding or completing wide spreadsheets in the foreground.

With elementary OS, feel free to manage both [windows](#windows) and [workspaces](#workspaces) for multitasking.

## App Windows <a href="#windows" id="windows"></a>

You can move your app windows around your desktop, overlap on each other, and switch between them. Switching can be done by either of the following ways:

* Click or tap the window you want to switch to
* Click or tap the app icon in the [Dock](/elementary-os-user-handbook/overview/desktop-tour/dock.md)
* Press <mark style="background-color:blue;">**Alt**</mark>**+**<mark style="background-color:blue;">**Tab**</mark> to cycle through open windows

Do not forget about secondary-click on the window [header bar](/elementary-os-user-handbook/overview/desktop-tour/app-windows.md#headerbar) to apply more actions to app windows.

{% hint style="info" %}

#### Tiling

The option of tiling windows is not really developed in elementary OS. All you can do is dragging two windows tight to the left and to the right edge of your desktop respectively, so they would share the screen equally.
{% endhint %}

## Workspaces <a href="#workspaces" id="workspaces"></a>

By default, app windows open on your current workspace. However, you can use multiple workspaces to organize your workflow and then navigate through them:

<figure><img src="https://785535311-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWJaNOvR4IPrjs8m32E3P%2Fuploads%2F1MGhFg5pH8n3gHmHq4JN%2Fworkspaces.gif?alt=media&amp;token=59e8cc73-d61b-44da-bdee-5af79dc3b040" alt=""><figcaption><p>Switching between Workspaces</p></figcaption></figure>

#### Navigation

To move left or right through your workspaces:

* Press <mark style="background-color:blue;">**⌘**</mark>**+**<mark style="background-color:blue;">**<--**</mark> and <mark style="background-color:blue;">**⌘**</mark>**+**<mark style="background-color:blue;">**-->**</mark> on the keyboard, or
* [Swipe](/elementary-os-user-handbook/overview/system-idiosyncrasies/gestures.md) with three fingers on a touchpad or touch screen.

To jump straight to a certain workspace, press <mark style="background-color:blue;">**⌘**</mark>**+**<mark style="background-color:blue;">**1**</mark> through <mark style="background-color:blue;">**⌘**</mark>**+**<mark style="background-color:blue;">**9**</mark>.

To jump to a new workspace, press <mark style="background-color:blue;">**⌘**</mark>**+**<mark style="background-color:blue;">**0**</mark>.

To move windows between workspaces:

* Drag them in the [Multitasking View](#multitasking-view), or
* Press <mark style="background-color:blue;">**⌘**</mark>**+**<mark style="background-color:blue;">**Alt**</mark>**+**<mark style="background-color:blue;">**<--**</mark> or <mark style="background-color:blue;">**-->**</mark> respectively.

You can customize these shortcuts in the System Settings (**Keyboard** **-->** **Shortcuts --> Workspaces**).

{% hint style="info" %}
App windows can be automatically moved onto a new workspace when entering fullscreen or getting maximized. This behavior can be changed in the System Settings (**Desktop --> Multitasking**).

You can move between workspaces as usual, and closing or un-fullscreening the app will return you to the previous workspace.
{% endhint %}

## Multitasking View

<figure><img src="https://785535311-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWJaNOvR4IPrjs8m32E3P%2Fuploads%2F3YS2tCLAyERjwUiugUyj%2Fmultitasking-view.png?alt=media&amp;token=138c47bb-c8d0-4904-bd13-69df3d2ddb91" alt=""><figcaption><p>Multitasking View</p></figcaption></figure>

The Multitasking View shows all open windows and workspaces so you can switch between them. To switch to the multitasking view, do any of the following:

* Select the **Multitasking View** icon ![](https://785535311-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWJaNOvR4IPrjs8m32E3P%2Fuploads%2FDcn0JUpTRXxUhCNa15Zl%2Fpreferences-desktop-workspaces.svg?alt=media\&token=bc13f06e-eddd-43c0-ab2b-83a83deeea7d) in the Dock (added there by default).
* Press <mark style="background-color:blue;">**⌘**</mark>**+**<mark style="background-color:blue;">**↓**</mark> on the keyboard.
* Swipe up with three fingers on a touchpad or touch screen.

{% hint style="success" %}
You can use [Hot Corners](/elementary-os-user-handbook/overview/system-idiosyncrasies/hot-corners.md) to activate multitasking actions like the window overview, workspace overview, and more.

Customize hot corners in the System Settings (**Desktop** → **Multitasking**).
{% endhint %}

## Multiple Displays <a href="#multiple-displays" id="multiple-displays"></a>

The [Panel](/elementary-os-user-handbook/overview/desktop-tour/panel.md), [Dock](/elementary-os-user-handbook/overview/desktop-tour/dock.md), and [workspaces](#workspaces) appear on your primary display. Any other attached displays act as standalone workspaces.

To manage and rearrange displays, navigate to the System Settings (**Displays**). Your primary display is marked with a filled-in star (🟊) in the top-left. The settings of each display can be changed from its ![](https://785535311-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FWJaNOvR4IPrjs8m32E3P%2Fuploads%2FwuA16iUKm1ppyEGg40i0%2Fopen-menu-24.svg?alt=media\&token=062933b5-030c-4165-9a35-5f3d01d4f148) menu in the top-right.