Apps randomly move workspaces and which workspace is show randomly changes

[BenRemer]

Body

Steps to Reproduce
I haven’t found a reliable way to reproduce this. It happens seemingly at random. I can be sitting idle without touching the keyboard or mouse, and after some amount of time, AeroSpace will switch me to a different workspace. This happens both with multiple monitors and when only using the mac screen.

Expected Result

• The current workspace should remain active unless I explicitly change it.
• Windows should stay on their assigned workspaces unless I move them.

Actual Result
Two related issues occur frequently:

1. Random Workspace Switching with Desync

• While working in one workspace, AeroSpace will randomly switch me to another.
• After this happens, AeroSpace often still thinks I’m on the original workspace.
• At that point, I can’t switch back using keybindings.
• Once I click anywhere on the screen, AeroSpace “realizes” the workspace changed, and then switching works again.

2. Windows Moving Across Workspaces Unexpectedly

• When I switch to another workspace, multiple windows from other workspaces sometimes follow me.
• This doesn’t affect all windows from one workspace. Instead, it’s a mix, for example:
  • 1 app from workspace A
  • 2 apps from workspace C
  • 1 app from workspace G
    all move into workspace B when I switch to it.
• This happens without using any move commands.

Additional Information
I’m not sure whether this is caused by my configuration or a bug. These two issues happen regularly and make AeroSpace difficult to use at times. Any guidance or troubleshooting suggestions would be appreciated.

Version

❯ aerospace -v
aerospace CLI client version: 0.20.2-Beta (1a8128c53b231bac7e46917468d50b4f15ad30f7)
AeroSpace.app server version: 0.20.2-Beta (1a8128c53b231bac7e46917468d50b4f15ad30f7)

Config

# You can use it to add commands that run after AeroSpace startup.
# Available commands : https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands
after-startup-command = []

# Start AeroSpace at login
start-at-login = true

# Normalizations. See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/guide#normalization
enable-normalization-flatten-containers = true
enable-normalization-opposite-orientation-for-nested-containers = true

# See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/guide#layouts
# The 'accordion-padding' specifies the size of accordion padding
# You can set 0 to disable the padding feature
accordion-padding = 30

# Possible values: tiles|accordion
default-root-container-layout = 'tiles'

# Possible values: horizontal|vertical|auto
# 'auto' means: wide monitor (anything wider than high) gets horizontal orientation,
#               tall monitor (anything higher than wide) gets vertical orientation
default-root-container-orientation = 'auto'

# Mouse follows focus when focused monitor changes
# Drop it from your config, if you don't like this behavior
# See https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/guide#on-focus-changed-callbacks
# See https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#move-mouse
# Fallback value (if you omit the key): on-focused-monitor-changed = []
#on-focused-monitor-changed = ['move-mouse monitor-lazy-center']

# You can effectively turn off macOS "Hide application" (cmd-h) feature by toggling this flag
# Useful if you don't use this macOS feature, but accidentally hit cmd-h or cmd-alt-h key
# Also see: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/goodies#disable-hide-app
automatically-unhide-macos-hidden-apps = false

# Possible values: (qwerty|dvorak|colemak)
# See https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/guide#key-mapping
[key-mapping]
    preset = 'qwerty'

# Gaps between windows (inner-*) and between monitor edges (outer-*).
# Possible values:
# - Constant:     [gaps.outer.top](http://gaps.outer.top/) = 8
# - Per monitor:  [gaps.outer.top](http://gaps.outer.top/) = [{ [monitor.main](http://monitor.main/) = 16 }, { monitor."some-pattern" = 32 }, 24]
#                 In this example, 24 is a default value when there is no match.
#                 Monitor pattern is the same as for 'workspace-to-monitor-force-assignment'.
#                 See:
#                 https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/guide#assign-workspaces-to-monitors
[gaps]
    [inner.horizontal](http://inner.horizontal/) = 5
    [inner.vertical](http://inner.vertical/) =   5
    [outer.left](http://outer.left/) =       5
    [outer.bottom](http://outer.bottom/) =     5
    [outer.top](http://outer.top/) =        5
    [outer.right](http://outer.right/) =      5


# 'main' binding mode declaration
# See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/guide#binding-modes
# 'main' binding mode must be always presented
# Fallback value (if you omit the key): [mode.main.binding](http://mode.main.binding/) = {}
[[mode.main.binding](http://mode.main.binding/)]

    # All possible keys:
    # - Letters.        a, b, c, ..., z
    # - Numbers.        0, 1, 2, ..., 9
    # - Keypad numbers. keypad0, keypad1, keypad2, ..., keypad9
    # - F-keys.         f1, f2, ..., f20
    # - Special keys.   minus, equal, period, comma, slash, backslash, quote, semicolon,
    #                   backtick, leftSquareBracket, rightSquareBracket, space, enter, esc,
    #                   backspace, tab, pageUp, pageDown, home, end, forwardDelete,
    #                   sectionSign (ISO keyboards only, european keyboards only)
    # - Keypad special. keypadClear, keypadDecimalMark, keypadDivide, keypadEnter, keypadEqual,
    #                   keypadMinus, keypadMultiply, keypadPlus
    # - Arrows.         left, down, up, right

    # All possible modifiers: cmd, alt, ctrl, shift

    # All possible commands: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands

    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#exec-and-forget
    # You can uncomment the following lines to open up terminal with alt + enter shortcut
    # (like in i3)
    # alt-enter = '''exec-and-forget osascript -e '
    # tell application "Terminal"
    #     do script
    #     activate
    # end tell'
    # '''

    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#layout
    alt-slash = 'layout tiles horizontal vertical'
    alt-comma = 'layout accordion horizontal vertical'

    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#focus
    alt-h = 'focus left'
    alt-j = 'focus down'
    alt-k = 'focus up'
    alt-l = 'focus right'

    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#move
    alt-shift-h = 'move left'
    alt-shift-j = 'move down'
    alt-shift-k = 'move up'
    alt-shift-l = 'move right'

    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#resize
    alt-minus = 'resize smart -50'
    alt-equal = 'resize smart +50'

    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#focus-monitor
    ctrl-alt-l = 'focus-monitor right'
    ctrl-alt-h = 'focus-monitor left'
    
    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#workspace
    #alt-1 = 'workspace 1'
    #alt-2 = 'workspace 2'
    #alt-3 = 'workspace 3'
    #alt-4 = 'workspace 4'
    #alt-5 = 'workspace 5'
    #alt-6 = 'workspace 6'
    #alt-7 = 'workspace 7'
    #alt-8 = 'workspace 8'
    #alt-9 = 'workspace 9'
    alt-a = 'workspace A' # In your config, you can drop workspace bindings that you don't need
    alt-b = 'workspace B'
    alt-c = 'workspace C'
    alt-d = 'workspace D'
    alt-e = 'workspace E'
    alt-f = 'workspace F'
    alt-g = 'workspace G'
    alt-i = 'workspace I'
    alt-m = 'workspace M'
    alt-n = 'workspace N'
    alt-o = 'workspace O'
    alt-p = 'workspace P'
    alt-q = 'workspace Q'
    alt-r = 'workspace R'
    alt-s = 'workspace S'
    alt-t = 'workspace T'
    alt-u = 'workspace U'
    alt-v = 'workspace V'
    alt-w = 'workspace W'
    alt-x = 'workspace X'
    alt-y = 'workspace Y'
    alt-z = 'workspace Z'

    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#move-node-to-workspace
    #alt-shift-1 = 'move-node-to-workspace 1'
    #alt-shift-2 = 'move-node-to-workspace 2'
    #alt-shift-3 = 'move-node-to-workspace 3'
    #alt-shift-4 = 'move-node-to-workspace 4'
    #alt-shift-5 = 'move-node-to-workspace 5'
    #alt-shift-6 = 'move-node-to-workspace 6'
    #alt-shift-7 = 'move-node-to-workspace 7'
    #alt-shift-8 = 'move-node-to-workspace 8'
    #alt-shift-9 = 'move-node-to-workspace 9'
    alt-shift-a = 'move-node-to-workspace A'
    alt-shift-b = 'move-node-to-workspace B'
    alt-shift-c = 'move-node-to-workspace C'
    alt-shift-d = 'move-node-to-workspace D'
    alt-shift-e = 'move-node-to-workspace E'
    alt-shift-f = 'move-node-to-workspace F'
    alt-shift-g = 'move-node-to-workspace G'
    alt-shift-i = 'move-node-to-workspace I'
    alt-shift-m = 'move-node-to-workspace M'
    alt-shift-n = 'move-node-to-workspace N'
    alt-shift-o = 'move-node-to-workspace O'
    alt-shift-p = 'move-node-to-workspace P'
    alt-shift-q = 'move-node-to-workspace Q'
    alt-shift-r = 'move-node-to-workspace R'
    alt-shift-s = 'move-node-to-workspace S'
    alt-shift-t = 'move-node-to-workspace T'
    alt-shift-u = 'move-node-to-workspace U'
    alt-shift-v = 'move-node-to-workspace V'
    alt-shift-w = 'move-node-to-workspace W'
    alt-shift-x = 'move-node-to-workspace X'
    alt-shift-y = 'move-node-to-workspace Y'
    alt-shift-z = 'move-node-to-workspace Z'

    

    alt-ctrl-shift-l = 'move-node-to-monitor next'
    alt-ctrl-shift-h = 'move-node-to-monitor prev'


    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#workspace-back-and-forth
    # alt-tab = 'workspace-back-and-forth'
    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#move-workspace-to-monitor
    #alt-shift-tab = 'move-workspace-to-monitor --wrap-around next'

    # See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/commands#mode
    alt-shift-semicolon = 'mode service'

    [workspace-to-monitor-force-assignment]
        W = 1
        E = 2
        R = 3

# 'service' binding mode declaration.
# See: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/guide#binding-modes
[[mode.service.binding](http://mode.service.binding/)]
    esc = ['reload-config', 'mode main']
    r = ['flatten-workspace-tree', 'mode main'] # reset layout
    f = ['layout floating tiling', 'mode main'] # Toggle between floating and tiling layout
    backspace = ['close-all-windows-but-current', 'mode main']

    # sticky is not yet supported https://github.com/nikitabobko/AeroSpace/issues/2
    #s = ['layout sticky tiling', 'mode main']

    alt-shift-h = ['join-with left', 'mode main']
    alt-shift-j = ['join-with down', 'mode main']
    alt-shift-k = ['join-with up', 'mode main']
    alt-shift-l = ['join-with right', 'mode main']

    #down = 'volume down'
    #up = 'volume up'
    #shift-down = ['volume set 0', 'mode main']

[nikitabobko]

Thanks for the report, unfortunately, it doesn't ring a bell, I don't know what could be causing these symptoms.

You can try to debug the stealing focus problem with the following logging patch:

Details

diff --git a/Sources/AppBundle/GlobalObserver.swift b/Sources/AppBundle/GlobalObserver.swift
index 2cbd0e9c..7881f2d4 100644
--- a/Sources/AppBundle/GlobalObserver.swift
+++ b/Sources/AppBundle/GlobalObserver.swift
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ enum GlobalObserver {
                        MacApp.allAppsMap.values.count(where: { $0.nsApp.isHidden }) == 1
                     {
                         // Force focus
-                        _ = w.focusWindow()
+                        _ = w.focusWindow(reason: .automaticallyUnhideMacosHiddenApps)
                         w.nativeFocus()
                     }
                     for app in MacApp.allAppsMap.values {
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ enum GlobalObserver {
                     // Detect clicks on desktop of different monitors
                     case clickedMonitor.activeWorkspace != focus.workspace:
                         _ = try await runLightSession(.globalObserverLeftMouseUp, token) {
-                            clickedMonitor.activeWorkspace.focusWorkspace()
+                            clickedMonitor.activeWorkspace.focusWorkspace(reason: .leftMouseUp)
                         }
                     // Detect close button clicks for unfocused windows. Yes, kAXUIElementDestroyedNotification is that unreliable
                     //  And trigger new window detection that could be delayed due to mouseDown event
diff --git a/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/FocusBackAndForthCommand.swift b/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/FocusBackAndForthCommand.swift
index 78e9ab99..4543b41c 100644
--- a/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/FocusBackAndForthCommand.swift
+++ b/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/FocusBackAndForthCommand.swift
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ struct FocusBackAndForthCommand: Command {
 
     func run(_ env: CmdEnv, _ io: CmdIo) -> Bool {
         if let prevFocus {
-            return setFocus(to: prevFocus)
+            return setFocus(to: prevFocus, reason: .focusBackAndForth)
         } else {
             return io.err("Prev window has been closed")
         }
diff --git a/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/FocusCommand.swift b/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/FocusCommand.swift
index 6d8667b7..28181279 100644
--- a/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/FocusCommand.swift
+++ b/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/FocusCommand.swift
@@ -21,19 +21,19 @@ struct FocusCommand: Command {
                 if let (parent, ownIndex) = window?.closestParent(hasChildrenInDirection: direction, withLayout: nil) {
                     guard let windowToFocus = parent.children[ownIndex + direction.focusOffset]
                         .findLeafWindowRecursive(snappedTo: direction.opposite) else { return false }
-                    return windowToFocus.focusWindow()
+                    return windowToFocus.focusWindow(reason: .focusCommand)
                 } else {
                     return hitWorkspaceBoundaries(target, io, args, direction)
                 }
             case .windowId(let windowId):
                 if let windowToFocus = Window.get(byId: windowId) {
-                    return windowToFocus.focusWindow()
+                    return windowToFocus.focusWindow(reason: .focusCommand)
                 } else {
                     return io.err("Can't find window with ID \(windowId)")
                 }
             case .dfsIndex(let dfsIndex):
                 if let windowToFocus = target.workspace.rootTilingContainer.allLeafWindowsRecursive.getOrNil(atIndex: Int(dfsIndex)) {
-                    return windowToFocus.focusWindow()
+                    return windowToFocus.focusWindow(reason: .focusCommand)
                 } else {
                     return io.err("Can't find window with DFS index \(dfsIndex)")
                 }
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ struct FocusCommand: Command {
                         case .wrapAroundAllMonitors: return dieT("Must be discarded by args parser")
                     }
                 }
-                return windows[targetIndex].focusWindow()
+                return windows[targetIndex].focusWindow(reason: .focusCommand)
         }
     }
 }
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ struct FocusCommand: Command {
             }
 
             if let targetMonitor = monitors.getOrNil(atIndex: index) {
-                return targetMonitor.activeWorkspace.focusWorkspace()
+                return targetMonitor.activeWorkspace.focusWorkspace(reason: .focusCommand)
             } else {
                 guard let wrapped = monitors.get(wrappingIndex: index) else { return false }
                 return hitAllMonitorsOuterFrameBoundaries(target, io, args, direction, wrapped)
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ struct FocusCommand: Command {
             return wrapAroundTheWorkspace(target, io, direction)
         case .wrapAroundAllMonitors:
             wrappedMonitor.activeWorkspace.findLeafWindowRecursive(snappedTo: direction.opposite)?.markAsMostRecentChild()
-            return wrappedMonitor.activeWorkspace.focusWorkspace()
+            return wrappedMonitor.activeWorkspace.focusWorkspace(reason: .focusCommand)
     }
 }
 
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ struct FocusCommand: Command {
     guard let windowToFocus = target.workspace.findLeafWindowRecursive(snappedTo: direction.opposite) else {
         return io.err(noWindowIsFocused)
     }
-    return windowToFocus.focusWindow()
+    return windowToFocus.focusWindow(reason: .focusCommand)
 }
 
 @MainActor private func makeFloatingWindowsSeenAsTiling(workspace: Workspace) async throws -> [FloatingWindowData] {
diff --git a/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/FocusMonitorCommand.swift b/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/FocusMonitorCommand.swift
index 7b2e5b44..5741558f 100644
--- a/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/FocusMonitorCommand.swift
+++ b/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/FocusMonitorCommand.swift
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ struct FocusMonitorCommand: Command {
     func run(_ env: CmdEnv, _ io: CmdIo) -> Bool {
         guard let target = args.resolveTargetOrReportError(env, io) else { return false }
         return switch args.target.val.resolve(target.workspace.workspaceMonitor, wrapAround: args.wrapAround) {
-            case .success(let targetMonitor): targetMonitor.activeWorkspace.focusWorkspace()
+            case .success(let targetMonitor): targetMonitor.activeWorkspace.focusWorkspace(reason: .focusMonitor)
             case .failure(let msg): io.err(msg)
         }
     }
diff --git a/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/MoveNodeToWorkspaceCommand.swift b/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/MoveNodeToWorkspaceCommand.swift
index 5b2663fe..23f8c3f1 100644
--- a/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/MoveNodeToWorkspaceCommand.swift
+++ b/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/MoveNodeToWorkspaceCommand.swift
@@ -38,5 +38,5 @@ func moveWindowToWorkspace(_ window: Window, _ targetWorkspace: Workspace, _ io:
     }
     let targetContainer: NonLeafTreeNodeObject = window.isFloating ? targetWorkspace : targetWorkspace.rootTilingContainer
     window.bind(to: targetContainer, adaptiveWeight: WEIGHT_AUTO, index: index)
-    return focusFollowsWindow ? window.focusWindow() : true
+    return focusFollowsWindow ? window.focusWindow(reason: .moveWindowToWorkspace) : true
 }
diff --git a/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/SummonWorkspaceCommand.swift b/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/SummonWorkspaceCommand.swift
index bf4e7ca6..17600ae7 100644
--- a/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/SummonWorkspaceCommand.swift
+++ b/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/SummonWorkspaceCommand.swift
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ struct SummonWorkspaceCommand: Command {
             return !args.failIfNoop
         }
         if monitor.setActiveWorkspace(workspace) {
-            return workspace.focusWorkspace()
+            return workspace.focusWorkspace(reason: .summonWorkspaceCommand)
         } else {
             return io.err("Can't move workspace '\(workspace.name)' to monitor '\(monitor.name)'. workspace-to-monitor-force-assignment doesn't allow it")
         }
diff --git a/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/SwapCommand.swift b/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/SwapCommand.swift
index d265eabf..e7f95da9 100644
--- a/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/SwapCommand.swift
+++ b/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/SwapCommand.swift
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ struct SwapCommand: Command {
         swapWindows(currentWindow, targetWindow)
 
         if args.swapFocus {
-            return targetWindow.focusWindow()
+            return targetWindow.focusWindow(reason: .swapCommand)
         }
         return true
     }
diff --git a/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/WorkspaceBackAndForthCommand.swift b/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/WorkspaceBackAndForthCommand.swift
index 781398bc..a553f53c 100644
--- a/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/WorkspaceBackAndForthCommand.swift
+++ b/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/WorkspaceBackAndForthCommand.swift
@@ -6,6 +6,6 @@ struct WorkspaceBackAndForthCommand: Command {
     /*conforms*/ let shouldResetClosedWindowsCache = false
 
     func run(_ env: CmdEnv, _ io: CmdIo) -> Bool {
-        return prevFocusedWorkspace?.focusWorkspace() != nil
+        return prevFocusedWorkspace?.focusWorkspace(reason: .workspaceBackAndForth) != nil
     }
 }
diff --git a/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/WorkspaceCommand.swift b/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/WorkspaceCommand.swift
index cae4eb47..414d59c4 100644
--- a/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/WorkspaceCommand.swift
+++ b/Sources/AppBundle/command/impl/WorkspaceCommand.swift
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ struct WorkspaceCommand: Command {
             }
             return !args.failIfNoop
         } else {
-            return Workspace.get(byName: workspaceName).focusWorkspace()
+            return Workspace.get(byName: workspaceName).focusWorkspace(reason: .workspaceCommand)
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/Sources/AppBundle/focus.swift b/Sources/AppBundle/focus.swift
index e4633944..10fd1086 100644
--- a/Sources/AppBundle/focus.swift
+++ b/Sources/AppBundle/focus.swift
@@ -60,7 +60,26 @@ private struct FrozenFocus: AeroAny, Equatable, Sendable {
 /// AEROSPACE_WORKSPACE env before accessing the global focus.
 @MainActor var focus: LiveFocus { _focus.live }
 
-@MainActor func setFocus(to newFocus: LiveFocus) -> Bool {
+enum FocusChangeReason {
+    case preserveTheWorkspace
+    case moveWindowToWorkspace
+    case nativeFocus
+    case swapCommand
+    case initAppBundle
+    case summonWorkspaceCommand
+    case focusCommand
+    case focusBackAndForth
+    case automaticallyUnhideMacosHiddenApps
+    case workspaceCommand
+    case menuBarButton
+    case focusMonitor
+    case leftMouseUp
+    case workspaceBackAndForth
+    case test
+}
+
+@MainActor func setFocus(to newFocus: LiveFocus, reason: FocusChangeReason) -> Bool {
+    print("Focused to \(newFocus). Focus change reason: \(reason)")
     if _focus == newFocus.frozen { return true }
     let oldFocus = focus
     // Normalize mruWindow when focus away from a workspace
@@ -75,9 +94,9 @@ private struct FrozenFocus: AeroAny, Equatable, Sendable {
     return status
 }
 extension Window {
-    @MainActor func focusWindow() -> Bool {
+    @MainActor func focusWindow(reason: FocusChangeReason) -> Bool {
         if let focus = toLiveFocusOrNil() {
-            return setFocus(to: focus)
+            return setFocus(to: focus, reason: reason)
         } else {
             // todo We should also exit-native-hidden/unminimize[/exit-native-fullscreen?] window if we want to fix ID-B6E178F2
             //      and retry to focus the window. Otherwise, it's not possible to focus minimized/hidden windows
@@ -88,7 +107,7 @@ extension Window {
     @MainActor func toLiveFocusOrNil() -> LiveFocus? { visualWorkspace.map { LiveFocus(windowOrNil: self, workspace: $0) } }
 }
 extension Workspace {
-    @MainActor func focusWorkspace() -> Bool { setFocus(to: toLiveFocus()) }
+    @MainActor func focusWorkspace(reason: FocusChangeReason) -> Bool { setFocus(to: toLiveFocus(), reason: reason) }
 
     func toLiveFocus() -> LiveFocus {
         // todo unfortunately mostRecentWindowRecursive may recursively reach empty rootTilingContainer
diff --git a/Sources/AppBundle/focusCache.swift b/Sources/AppBundle/focusCache.swift
index d70519e2..e14a076e 100644
--- a/Sources/AppBundle/focusCache.swift
+++ b/Sources/AppBundle/focusCache.swift
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
         return
     }
     if nativeFocused?.windowId != lastKnownNativeFocusedWindowId {
-        _ = nativeFocused?.focusWindow()
+        _ = nativeFocused?.focusWindow(reason: .nativeFocus)
         lastKnownNativeFocusedWindowId = nativeFocused?.windowId
     }
     nativeFocused?.macAppUnsafe.lastNativeFocusedWindowId = nativeFocused?.windowId
diff --git a/Sources/AppBundle/initAppBundle.swift b/Sources/AppBundle/initAppBundle.swift
index 8f1fc712..b4df9e8c 100644
--- a/Sources/AppBundle/initAppBundle.swift
+++ b/Sources/AppBundle/initAppBundle.swift
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ import Foundation
         startUnixSocketServer()
         GlobalObserver.initObserver()
         Workspace.garbageCollectUnusedWorkspaces() // init workspaces
-        _ = Workspace.all.first?.focusWorkspace()
+        _ = Workspace.all.first?.focusWorkspace(reason: .initAppBundle)
         try await runRefreshSessionBlocking(.startup, layoutWorkspaces: false)
         try await runLightSession(.startup, .forceRun) {
             smartLayoutAtStartup()
diff --git a/Sources/AppBundle/tree/MacWindow.swift b/Sources/AppBundle/tree/MacWindow.swift
index 503a745e..4e5cfd7b 100644
--- a/Sources/AppBundle/tree/MacWindow.swift
+++ b/Sources/AppBundle/tree/MacWindow.swift
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import AppKit
 import Common
 
-final class MacWindow: Window {
+final class MacWindow: Window, CustomStringConvertible {
     let macApp: MacApp
     private var prevUnhiddenProportionalPositionInsideWorkspaceRect: CGPoint?
 
@@ -40,17 +40,13 @@ final class MacWindow: Window {
         return window
     }
 
-    // var description: String {
-    //     let description = [
-    //         ("title", title),
-    //         ("role", axWindow.get(Ax.roleAttr)),
-    //         ("subrole", axWindow.get(Ax.subroleAttr)),
-    //         ("identifier", axWindow.get(Ax.identifierAttr)),
-    //         ("modal", axWindow.get(Ax.modalAttr).map { String($0) } ?? ""),
-    //         ("windowId", String(windowId)),
-    //     ].map { "\($0.0): '\(String(describing: $0.1))'" }.joined(separator: ", ")
-    //     return "Window(\(description))"
-    // }
+    var description: String {
+        let description = [
+            ("windowId", String(windowId)),
+            ("app bundle id", macApp.rawAppBundleId),
+        ].map { "\($0.0): '\(String(describing: $0.1))'" }.joined(separator: ", ")
+        return "Window(\(description))"
+    }
 
     func isWindowHeuristic(_ windowLevel: MacOsWindowLevel?) async throws -> Bool { // todo cache
         try await macApp.isWindowHeuristic(windowId, windowLevel)
@@ -89,7 +85,7 @@ final class MacWindow: Window {
             switch parent.cases {
                 case .tilingContainer, .workspace, .macosHiddenAppsWindowsContainer, .macosFullscreenWindowsContainer:
                     let deadWindowFocus = deadWindowWorkspace.toLiveFocus()
-                    _ = setFocus(to: deadWindowFocus)
+                    _ = setFocus(to: deadWindowFocus, reason: .preserveTheWorkspace)
                     // Guard against "Apple Reminders popup" bug: https://github.com/nikitabobko/AeroSpace/issues/201
                     if focus.windowOrNil?.app.pid != app.pid {
                         // Force focus to fix macOS annoyance with focused apps without windows.
diff --git a/Sources/AppBundle/tree/Workspace.swift b/Sources/AppBundle/tree/Workspace.swift
index e1d425d0..95a5030b 100644
--- a/Sources/AppBundle/tree/Workspace.swift
+++ b/Sources/AppBundle/tree/Workspace.swift
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ private func getStubWorkspace(forPoint point: CGPoint) -> Workspace {
         .orDie("Can't create empty workspace")
 }
 
-final class Workspace: TreeNode, NonLeafTreeNodeObject, Hashable, Comparable {
+final class Workspace: TreeNode, NonLeafTreeNodeObject, Hashable, Comparable, CustomStringConvertible {
     let name: String
     nonisolated private let nameLogicalSegments: StringLogicalSegments
     /// `assignedMonitorPoint` must be interpreted only when the workspace is invisible
@@ -69,13 +69,9 @@ final class Workspace: TreeNode, NonLeafTreeNodeObject, Hashable, Comparable {
         die("It's not possible to change weight of Workspace")
     }
 
-    @MainActor
     var description: String {
         let description = [
             ("name", name),
-            ("isVisible", String(isVisible)),
-            ("isEffectivelyEmpty", String(isEffectivelyEmpty)),
-            ("doKeepAlive", String(config.persistentWorkspaces.contains(name))),
         ].map { "\($0.0): '\(String(describing: $0.1))'" }.joined(separator: ", ")
         return "Workspace(\(description))"
     }
diff --git a/Sources/AppBundle/ui/MenuBar.swift b/Sources/AppBundle/ui/MenuBar.swift
index f8727069..a8b6566a 100644
--- a/Sources/AppBundle/ui/MenuBar.swift
+++ b/Sources/AppBundle/ui/MenuBar.swift
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ public func menuBar(viewModel: TrayMenuModel) -> some Scene { // todo should it
             ForEach(viewModel.workspaces, id: \.name) { workspace in
                 Button {
                     Task {
-                        try await runLightSession(.menuBarButton, token) { _ = Workspace.get(byName: workspace.name).focusWorkspace() }
+                        try await runLightSession(.menuBarButton, token) { _ = Workspace.get(byName: workspace.name).focusWorkspace(reason: .menuBarButton) }
                     }
                 } label: {
                     Toggle(isOn: .constant(workspace.isFocused)) {
diff --git a/Sources/AppBundleTests/assert.swift b/Sources/AppBundleTests/assert.swift
index a694307b..c1052208 100644
--- a/Sources/AppBundleTests/assert.swift
+++ b/Sources/AppBundleTests/assert.swift
@@ -3,6 +3,16 @@
 import Common
 import XCTest
 
+extension Window {
+    @MainActor func focusWindow() -> Bool {
+        focusWindow(reason: .test)
+    }
+}
+
+extension Workspace {
+    @MainActor func focusWorkspace() -> Bool { focusWorkspace(reason: .test) }
+}
+
 func assertTrue(_ actual: Bool, file: String = #filePath, line: Int = #line) {
     assertEquals(actual, true, file: file, line: line)
 }

As of the second "Windows Moving Across Workspaces Unexpectedly" problem. AeroSpace had this bug before (#1216), but I belive that it's been fixed. Not sure what could be causing it on your side.

The symptoms that you are describing are all odd and I don't see people reporing them. I would seek if there any 3rd party application that interferes with AeroSpace

[BenRemer]

Could you share how to add the logging patch? And any info on how to see what other apps could be effecting it? I don't have any other window management apps running.

[BenRemer]

Hi @nikitabobko any update here? Based on the comments other people are also seeing the same issue so the 'fix' that was previously added doesn't seem to be working. I'd love to give you more debug info if you could help me with how to apply this patch.

[Mokhtar25]

im facing the same issue.

[plu28]

Same here, have been having for a while.

[myxo]

same issue for several months now. I would like to have an option for some additional logging to actually track down this bug, no luck with trying to reproduce it

[0xBison]

same issue as well. sometimes i'll be idle and it'll randomly switch

also sometimes when i switch to a different workspace it has rearranged all windows and put something else at the top of the stack (i'm using accordion)

[plu28]

Anyone here also have it randomly toggle fullscreen? Perhaps the issues are related?

[0xBison]

@nikitabobko i can help you debug this if you let me know what would be useful in a bug report and how to do so. i'm facing this constantly now (not sure why it has become more frequent) and the product is unusable now as it moving me to random screens every few minutes - it jumped twice while writing this comment lol

I pretty much exclusively use the workspace keys opt + N and this happens even without an external monitor. here's my config:

# =============================================================================
# Aerospace Configuration
# =============================================================================
# Location: ~/.config/aerospace/aerospace.toml
# Docs: https://nikitabobko.github.io/AeroSpace/guide
# =============================================================================

# Start Aerospace when you log in
start-at-login = true

# Normalizations (keep these on for clean layouts)
enable-normalization-flatten-containers = false
enable-normalization-opposite-orientation-for-nested-containers = false

# Layout defaults
accordion-padding = 0
default-root-container-layout = 'accordion'
default-root-container-orientation = 'auto'

# Keyboard layout
key-mapping.preset = 'qwerty'

# Mouse follows focus when switching monitors (useful for dual monitor)
# on-focus-changed = ['move-mouse monitor-lazy-center']

# =============================================================================
# Gaps (set to 0 for maximum screen real estate, increase if you want padding)
# =============================================================================
[gaps]
inner.horizontal = 0
inner.vertical = 0
outer.left = 0
outer.bottom = 0
outer.top = 0
outer.right = 0

# =============================================================================
# Workspace-to-Monitor Assignment (for dual monitor setup)
# =============================================================================
# Uncomment and adjust when you set up your second monitor
# 'main' = your primary monitor, 'secondary' = external
#
# [workspace-to-monitor-force-assignment]
# 1 = 'main'           # Code - primary monitor
# 2 = 'main'           # Terminal - primary monitor
# 3 = 'main'           # Browser - primary monitor
# 4 = 'secondary'      # AI - secondary monitor
# 5 = 'secondary'      # Comms - secondary monitor
# 6 = 'secondary'      # Tools - secondary monitor

# =============================================================================
# Main Keybindings
# =============================================================================
[mode.main.binding]

# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Workspace Switching (Alt + Number)
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
alt-1 = 'workspace 1'   # Code
alt-2 = 'workspace 2'   # Terminal
alt-3 = 'workspace 3'   # Browser
alt-4 = 'workspace 4'   # AI
alt-5 = 'workspace 5'   # Comms
alt-6 = 'workspace 6'   # Tools
alt-9 = 'workspace 9'   # Utilities
alt-tab = 'workspace-back-and-forth'
alt-leftSquareBracket = 'workspace --wrap-around prev'
alt-rightSquareBracket = 'workspace --wrap-around next'
alt-down = 'focus dfs-next'
alt-up = 'focus dfs-prev'

# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Direct App Focus Hotkeys (Alt + Letter)
# These switch to the app AND its workspace in one keystroke
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
alt-v = 'exec-and-forget open -a "Visual Studio Code"'
alt-x = 'exec-and-forget open -a "kitty"'
alt-c = 'exec-and-forget open -a "Google Chrome"'
alt-t = 'exec-and-forget open -a "Telegram"'
alt-d = 'exec-and-forget open -a "Discord"'
alt-s = 'exec-and-forget open -a "Slack"'
alt-p = 'exec-and-forget open -a "Postman"'
alt-m = 'exec-and-forget open -a "ProtonMail"'

# AI apps (Alt+Shift combos to avoid conflicts)
alt-shift-c = 'exec-and-forget open -a "Claude"'
alt-shift-g = 'exec-and-forget open -a "ChatGPT"'

# Tools
alt-shift-d = 'exec-and-forget open -a "DataGrip"'
alt-shift-t = 'exec-and-forget open -a "Termius"'

# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Window Focus (DISABLED - enable when you start tiling)
# When you're ready for tiling, re-enable these and move app hotkeys
# to a different modifier like ctrl-shift or use Aerospace's service mode
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
# alt-h = 'focus left'
# alt-j = 'focus down'
# alt-k = 'focus up'
# alt-l = 'focus right'

# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Move Windows Between Workspaces
# Alt+Shift+Number moves current window to that workspace
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
alt-shift-1 = 'move-node-to-workspace 1'
alt-shift-2 = 'move-node-to-workspace 2'
alt-shift-3 = 'move-node-to-workspace 3'
alt-shift-4 = 'move-node-to-workspace 4'
alt-shift-5 = 'move-node-to-workspace 5'
alt-shift-6 = 'move-node-to-workspace 6'
alt-shift-9 = 'move-node-to-workspace 9'

# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Layout Controls (for later when you start tiling)
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
alt-slash = 'layout tiles horizontal vertical'
alt-comma = 'layout accordion horizontal vertical'
alt-f = 'fullscreen'

# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Service Mode (Alt+Shift+Semicolon to enter, Esc to exit)
# For less common operations like resize
# -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
alt-shift-semicolon = 'mode service'

[mode.service.binding]
esc = ['reload-config', 'mode main']
r = ['flatten-workspace-tree', 'mode main']
alt-shift-h = ['resize width -50', 'mode main']
alt-shift-l = ['resize width +50', 'mode main']
alt-shift-j = ['resize height -50', 'mode main']
alt-shift-k = ['resize height +50', 'mode main']

# =============================================================================
# Auto-Assign Apps to Workspaces
# =============================================================================
# When these apps open, they automatically land on the right workspace

# --- Workspace 1: Code ---
[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-id = 'com.microsoft.VSCode'
run = 'move-node-to-workspace 1'

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Conductor'
run = 'move-node-to-workspace 1'

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-id = 'com.sublimetext.4'
run = 'move-node-to-workspace 1'

# --- Workspace 2: Terminal ---
[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-id = 'net.kovidgoyal.kitty'
run = 'move-node-to-workspace 2'

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-id = 'com.termius-dmg.mac'
run = 'move-node-to-workspace 2'

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-id = 'com.apple.Terminal'
run = 'move-node-to-workspace 2'

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Warp'
run = 'move-node-to-workspace 2'

# --- Workspace 3: Browser ---
[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-id = 'com.google.Chrome'
run = 'move-node-to-workspace 3'

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-id = 'com.postmanlabs.mac'
run = 'move-node-to-workspace 3'

# --- Workspace 4: AI ---
[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-id = 'com.anthropic.claudefordesktop'
run = 'move-node-to-workspace 4'

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-id = 'com.openai.chat'
run = 'move-node-to-workspace 4'

# --- Workspace 5: Comms ---
[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-id = 'ru.keepcoder.Telegram'
run = 'move-node-to-workspace 5'

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-id = 'com.hnc.Discord'
run = 'move-node-to-workspace 5'

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-id = 'com.tinyspeck.slackmacgap'
run = 'move-node-to-workspace 5'

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Proton Mail'
run = 'move-node-to-workspace 5'

# --- Workspace 6: Tools ---
[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-id = 'com.jetbrains.datagrip'
run = 'move-node-to-workspace 6'

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-id = 'com.electron.dockerdesktop'
run = 'move-node-to-workspace 6'

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-id = 'com.apple.finder'
run = 'move-node-to-workspace 6'

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-id = 'com.apple.Notes'
run = 'move-node-to-workspace 6'


# --- Workspace 9: Utilities ---

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-id = 'com.nordvpn.NordVPN'
run = ['layout floating', 'move-node-to-workspace 9']

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-id = 'com.electron.wispr-flow.accessibility-mac-app'
run = ['layout floating', 'move-node-to-workspace 9']

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-id = 'com.electron.wispr-flow'
run = ['layout floating', 'move-node-to-workspace 9']

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Karabiner'
run = ['layout floating', 'move-node-to-workspace 9']

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-id = 'com.raycast.macos'
run = ['layout floating', 'move-node-to-workspace 9']

# =============================================================================
# Floating Windows (apps that should NOT tile)
# =============================================================================
[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-id='com.1password.1password'
run = 'layout floating'

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-id = 'com.apple.systempreferences'
run = 'layout floating'

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-name-regex-substring = 'Cap'
run = 'layout floating'

# Calculator, Activity Monitor, etc.
[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-id = 'com.apple.calculator'
run = 'layout floating'

[[on-window-detected]]
if.app-id = 'com.apple.ActivityMonitor'
run = 'layout floating'

[jonathanabennett]

This is becoming a regular issue for me as well. So far, I have found that switching the active desktop to my external monitor and then back to my built-in does usually fix it, but not always. I also do not know what triggers it. I first noticed this when attempting to take notes in Emacs on video calls happening in Teams or Google Meet (in Zen or Chrome). That made me think it was some sort of thing connected to audio/video focus, but now it's sometimes throwing me to empty workspaces. It's very frustrating when it decides to do this.

[0xBison]

@nikitabobko bump. is there any way we can help you debug?

[skainguyen1412]

I'm also facing this issue, randomly change workspace and also move window over other workspace after update to lastest version.