Most developer work happens in two distinct modes, and recognizing this fundamental split changed how I approach my entire workflow.
The first mode is what I call Desk Mode: the full workstation with two or three screens, a mouse, an external keyboard, and a fixed spatial layout. This is where complex engineering happens—multi-pane debugging, stack traces, local infrastructure, API logs. Everything has its place, and the place matters.
The second mode is Lap Mode: the MacBook alone on the sofa, on the balcony, or in a café. One screen. Less precision. Different posture. Different flow. This is where focused work happens—writing code, reviewing PRs, thinking, planning, sketching, browsing docs. But it’s portable.
What surprised me over the years is that these two modes require completely different ergonomics, yet most setups treat them the same. The result is friction, window juggling, constant repositioning, and a lot of wasted motion.
This article covers how I solved the problem using BetterTouchTool as the automation layer, Logi Options+ for MX Master profiles, and a minimal set of macros and window-management rules that make both modes feel effortless. Below is the exact setup I use today for code, design, infrastructure work, and daily multi-project juggling.
Understanding the Two Modes
Before diving into the technical implementation, it’s worth understanding why these modes are fundamentally different and why treating them the same creates friction.
Desk Mode: Parallel Context
The three-screen setup is about parallel context. When you’re working at your desk, you’re not just using multiple monitors—you’re creating a spatial memory system. Your brain learns that the editor lives on the left, the browser preview on the right, and the terminal with logs on the vertical side panel. This spatial consistency becomes part of your workflow.
The communication tools live on what I call the “peripheral” monitor—the one you glance at but don’t stare at. This is where Slack, Discord, email, and other interrupt-driven applications live. They’re visible enough to catch important notifications, but positioned so they don’t dominate your attention.
This is where deep engineering work happens. You’re debugging across multiple panes, watching stack traces in real-time, monitoring local infrastructure, parsing API logs. The multi-screen setup isn’t just about having more space—it’s about maintaining multiple streams of information simultaneously.
Lap Mode: Focused Thinking
Lap Mode is fundamentally different. It’s not about parallel context—it’s about focus. When you’re working on a laptop, especially in a casual setting, you want zero clutter, no screen scanning, no 500 pixels of unused space.
The goal is a centered main window, a small floating terminal or quick access to terminal, fast app switching with the mouse, and zero fiddling with windows. Lap Mode is the “write code, review PRs, think, plan, sketch, browse docs” mode—but portable.
The key insight is that Lap Mode isn’t just Desk Mode with fewer screens. It’s a different cognitive mode. When you’re on the couch or at a café, you’re not trying to maintain parallel streams of information. You’re trying to focus on one thing deeply. The setup should reflect that.
The Tools
To make this dual-mode workflow work, you need two primary tools: BetterTouchTool for automation and window management, and Logitech MX Master with Logi Options+ for input customization.
BetterTouchTool: The Automation Layer
BetterTouchTool is a macOS utility that acts as a programmable engine for window placement, app launching, mode switching, input transformations, and context-aware triggers. Think of it as the glue that connects your physical actions to your digital workspace.
What makes BetterTouchTool powerful is its ability to respond to context. It can detect when your laptop lid closes, when external displays connect or disconnect, when you switch networks, or when specific applications launch. This context awareness is what makes automatic mode switching possible.
The tool allows you to create complex macros that chain multiple actions together. For example, a single trigger can move all windows to a specific display, resize them to predefined positions, launch specific applications, hide distraction apps, and even switch your mouse profile—all in one action.
Logitech MX Master: The Secondary Keyboard
The Logitech MX Master is more than just a mouse. With Logi Options+, you get per-app and per-mode profiles that transform it into a secondary keyboard. The gesture button with directional swipes, side scroll wheel, thumb button, wheel button, and custom keystrokes give you a surprising amount of control without touching the keyboard.
In Lap Mode, where keyboard access might be limited (especially if you’re working on a couch or in a cramped space), the mouse becomes your primary input device for window management and app switching. The MX Master’s programmability means you can map complex actions to simple gestures.
Architecture of the Workflow
My setup has exactly two profiles: Desk Mode and Lap Mode. Both modes share the same keyboard shortcuts, but only the mapping and window behavior change. This keeps muscle memory intact—you don’t have to remember different shortcuts for different modes.
The architecture is simple: when you switch modes, BetterTouchTool executes a macro that repositions windows, launches applications, and switches the MX Master profile. The actual keyboard shortcuts remain the same, but they trigger different window behaviors depending on the active mode.
This consistency is crucial. If you had to remember different shortcuts for each mode, the cognitive load would defeat the purpose. Instead, the same actions work in both modes—they just produce different results.
Implementing Lap Mode
Lap Mode is designed around a minimal, highly predictable layout that follows what I call the “one window, one center of gravity” philosophy. When you activate Lap Mode, several things happen automatically.
What Happens When Lap Mode Activates
First, all windows from external displays move to the MacBook screen. This prevents the frustrating situation where you close your laptop and realize your editor is still on an external monitor you can’t see.
Next, your primary editor (in my case, Cursor for Git work or Nova for FTP and editorial tasks) launches centered on the screen. The centering is important—it reduces head movement and keeps your focus on the content, not screen management.
The macOS Terminal becomes available instantly, either as a floating window or through a quick-launch mechanism. Distraction apps like Slack, Discord, Email, and WhatsApp automatically hide. The MX Master switches to its Lap Mode profile, and BetterTouchTool restricts window management to a single display.
The Core Macro
The Lap Mode macro consists of seven key actions:
- Move all windows to the internal display
- Bring Cursor to the front and center the window
- Bring Nova to the front when needed and center the window
- Launch macOS Terminal (either as a floating window or quick-launch)
- Hide Slack, Discord, Email, and WhatsApp
- Switch MX Master profile to “Lap Mode”
- Show a HUD overlay confirming “Lap Mode Enabled”
The centered window matters most. When you’re working on a laptop, especially in a casual setting, you don’t want to crane your neck or constantly adjust your position. A centered window reduces head movement and keeps focus on the content, not screen management.
MX Master Lap Mode Mapping
In Lap Mode, the mouse becomes a micro-window manager. Since keyboard access might be limited, the MX Master takes on more responsibility. Here’s how I’ve mapped it:
The thumb button centers the active window using a BetterTouchTool shortcut. This is useful when you accidentally move a window or when an application opens in an unexpected position.
Gesture up launches Cursor, my primary editor. Gesture down launches Terminal. These are the two applications I use most in Lap Mode, so they get the most accessible gestures.
Gesture left and right switch between project windows. This is faster than using Command+Tab, especially when you’re working with multiple projects.
The wheel click triggers Raycast, my global search tool. This gives me quick access to files, applications, and system functions without leaving my current context.
The side wheel switches tabs in Cursor or Nova. This is particularly useful when you’re working with multiple files in the same project.
This mapping makes the mouse a command palette. In Lap Mode, where keyboard access is limited, the mouse becomes your primary tool for navigation and window management.
Implementing Desk Mode
Desk Mode is about spatial consistency. When you’re working at a desk with multiple monitors, you want windows to always end up in the same place. This spatial memory becomes part of your workflow—you know where things are without thinking about it.
Fixed Zones
I use fixed zones for my three-monitor setup:
- Left monitor: Editor (Cursor or Nova)
- Middle monitor: Browser or local app preview
- Right monitor: Terminal, logs, and documentation
This layout creates a natural flow: code on the left, preview in the middle, tools and reference on the right. The spatial consistency means I don’t have to think about where things are—they’re always in the same place.
The Restore Workspace Macro
BetterTouchTool’s “Restore Workspace” macro is what makes Desk Mode work. When I dock my laptop or wake my workstation, the macro executes:
- Move Cursor to monitor 1, left size
- Move browser to monitor 2, right size
- Move Terminal and docs to monitor 3
- Align each to predefined presets
- Re-enable multi-monitor gestures
This macro runs automatically when I connect external displays or wake my workstation. The result is that my workspace is always in the same state, regardless of what I was doing before.
MX Master Desk Mode Profile
Desk Mode uses a different MX Master profile that’s more navigation-heavy. Since I have more screen real estate and better keyboard access, the mouse focuses on navigation rather than window management.
Gesture up triggers Mission Control, giving me an overview of all open windows and spaces. Gesture down shows the Desktop, useful for quickly accessing files or clearing my view.
Gesture left and right switch between full-screen apps or monitors. This is faster than using keyboard shortcuts, especially when you’re working with multiple full-screen applications.
The thumb button triggers Exposé, showing all windows from the current application. This is useful when you have multiple windows from the same app and need to find a specific one.
The side wheel provides horizontal scroll, which is particularly useful when viewing wide code files or documentation. The wheel click performs a middle-click paste, which is handy in GitHub, terminals, and documentation viewers.
Switching Between Modes
The mode switching mechanism is what makes this entire setup work. You can use any trigger, but some are more natural than others.
Automatic Triggers
The most natural triggers are automatic. When you close your laptop lid, Lap Mode activates. When you open the lid with external displays connected, Desk Mode activates. When the display count changes, the appropriate mode triggers automatically.
These automatic triggers mean you don’t have to think about switching modes—it just happens. This is crucial for reducing cognitive load. The system should adapt to you, not the other way around.
Manual Triggers
Sometimes you need manual control. I’ve set up several manual triggers:
- Control+Option+Command+L activates Lap Mode
- Control+Option+Command+D activates Desk Mode
- A top-left trackpad corner tap toggles between modes
- A BetterTouchTool status menu item provides “Switch to Lap/Desk” option
I personally use automatic triggers most of the time—closing the lid activates Lap Mode, docking activates Desk Mode. But the manual override is useful when I’m working on the couch with the lid open or when I want to force a specific mode.
Why This Works So Well
After using this setup for several years, I’ve identified several key benefits that make it worth the initial configuration effort.
Predictability
Every window always ends up where it should. When you switch modes, windows move to predictable positions. When you launch an application, it appears in the right place. This predictability reduces cognitive load—you don’t have to think about where things are.
Zero Window Juggling
One press and everything reflows automatically. You don’t have to manually move windows, resize them, or remember where you left them. The macro handles all of this automatically.
High-Focus Lap Mode
The centered window combined with minimal UI creates an environment optimized for deep work. There are no distractions, no unused screen space, no reason to look away from what you’re doing.
Full-Capability Desk Mode
Three screens act as a single navigable workspace. You can maintain multiple streams of information simultaneously without losing context or having to switch between applications.
The Mouse as Command Palette
Especially in Lap Mode, where keyboard access is limited, the mouse becomes a command palette. Complex actions are accessible through simple gestures, reducing the need to reach for the keyboard.
Reduced Cognitive Load
You don’t need to remember where a window went. You don’t need to think about which mode you’re in. The system handles the details, leaving you free to focus on your work.
Detailed Configuration Examples
Here’s a detailed breakdown of my exact Lap Mode mappings, which you can use as a starting point for your own setup.
MX Master Lap Mode Mappings
Thumb button: Centers the active window using BetterTouchTool’s center window action. This is mapped to Control+Option+Command+C.
Gesture up: Opens Cursor, my primary editor. This triggers a BetterTouchTool action that launches Cursor and brings it to the front.
Gesture down: Opens Terminal. This launches the macOS Terminal application and brings it to the front.
Gesture left/right: Switches between app windows. This uses macOS’s built-in window switching, but triggered from the mouse.
Wheel click: Triggers Raycast search. This gives me quick access to files, applications, and system functions.
Side scroll: Switches tabs in Cursor or Nova. This is particularly useful when working with multiple files in the same project.
BetterTouchTool Keyboard Shortcuts
Control+Option+Command+C: Centers the active window. This works in both modes but produces different results depending on the active mode.
Control+Option+Command+1: Launches Cursor and brings it to the front. In Desk Mode, it also moves it to the left monitor.
Control+Option+Command+2: Launches Nova and brings it to the front. In Desk Mode, it moves it to the left monitor.
Control+Option+Command+T: Launches Terminal. In Desk Mode, it moves it to the right monitor.
Trackpad top-left corner tap: Toggles between Lap Mode and Desk Mode. This is useful when you need to manually switch modes.
Desk Mode uses the same shortcuts, but with different window placements. The consistency means you don’t have to remember different shortcuts for different modes.
Optional Refinements
These refinements aren’t required, but they make the setup feel “invisible”—you stop noticing it’s there, which is the mark of a good tool.
Snap Back Behavior
When you accidentally drag a window a few pixels off-center, a small gesture re-snaps it. This prevents the gradual drift that happens when you’re constantly adjusting windows. BetterTouchTool can detect when a window is slightly off-center and automatically snap it back.
Auto Dark Mode in Lap Mode
Lap Mode always uses dark mode, regardless of the time of day. This reduces eye strain when working in low-light environments. Desk Mode follows your normal schedule, switching between light and dark mode based on time.
Audio Routing
Lap Mode automatically switches to AirPods when they’re available. This is useful when you’re working in a shared space or want to listen to music without disturbing others. Desk Mode routes audio to studio speakers.
Focus Modes
Lap Mode activates a “Coding Focus” mode that silences non-essential notifications and sets your status to “Do Not Disturb” in communication apps. Desk Mode uses a “Work Focus” mode that allows more notifications but still filters out distractions.
These refinements are optional, but they add up to create a more polished experience. The goal is to make the tooling fade away so you can focus on your work.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Like any complex setup, this workflow can have issues. Here are the most common problems and how to solve them.
Windows Not Moving to Correct Display
If windows aren’t moving to the correct display when you switch modes, check that BetterTouchTool has the correct display names. macOS sometimes changes display names, especially when you connect displays in different orders. You may need to update your macros with the current display names.
MX Master Profile Not Switching
If the MX Master profile isn’t switching automatically, check that Logi Options+ is running and that you’ve set up the profile switching correctly. The profile switching happens through BetterTouchTool, which sends a command to Logi Options+. Make sure both applications have the necessary permissions.
Mode Switching Not Triggering
If automatic mode switching isn’t working, check BetterTouchTool’s trigger conditions. The triggers depend on system events like lid close or display connection. Make sure BetterTouchTool has the necessary permissions to monitor these events.
Applications Not Launching
If applications aren’t launching when you switch modes, check that the application paths in your BetterTouchTool macros are correct. macOS sometimes changes application paths, especially after updates. You may need to update the paths in your macros.
Real-World Usage Patterns
After using this setup for several years, I’ve developed some usage patterns that might be useful.
Morning Routine
When I start my day, I dock my laptop and Desk Mode activates automatically. My workspace is already in the correct state—editor on the left, browser in the middle, terminal on the right. I don’t have to think about it.
Focused Work Sessions
When I need to focus on a single task, I switch to Lap Mode. The centered window and minimal UI help me concentrate. The mouse gestures give me quick access to the tools I need without leaving my flow.
Context Switching
When I switch between projects, I use the mouse gestures to quickly switch between application windows. This is faster than using keyboard shortcuts, especially when I’m working in Lap Mode.
End of Day
When I’m done for the day, I close my laptop lid and Lap Mode activates. The next morning, when I dock my laptop, Desk Mode activates and everything is back to where it should be.
Final Thoughts
A workflow is a user interface for your brain. Every friction point—moving windows, switching apps, resizing panes—takes attention away from the thing you’re actually trying to build.
BetterTouchTool and MX Master turn the Mac into a modular workspace. Desk Mode enables parallel thinking—you can maintain multiple streams of information simultaneously. Lap Mode enables focused thinking—you can concentrate on a single task without distractions.
The tooling fades away and the environment adapts to you instead of the other way around. You stop thinking about the tools and start thinking about the work. That’s when you know the setup is working.
The initial configuration takes time, but the payoff is significant. Once it’s set up, you’ll wonder how you worked without it. The consistency, predictability, and reduced cognitive load make it worth the effort.
If you’re interested in implementing this setup, I can provide an install-ready preset with the Lap Mode macro, Desk Mode macro, center/left/right/bottom snapping, MX Master shortcut scheme, and HUD overlays and transitions. Just provide the names of your displays and their resolutions, and I can assemble a clean package tailored to your setup.
The key is to start simple and add refinements as you go. Don’t try to implement everything at once. Start with basic mode switching, then add window management, then add mouse gestures. Build it incrementally, and it will become an extension of how you think about your work.