Shiftit VS Mas CLI

• Open Source
  ShiftIt is an open-source project, meaning that it is free to use and its source code is publicly available for review and modification. This allows users to customize the application to their needs and contributes to a larger community of developers and users.
• Window Management
  ShiftIt provides powerful window management capabilities, enabling users to easily resize, move, and rearrange windows using keyboard shortcuts. This enhances productivity and helps maintain an organized workspace.
• Lightweight
  ShiftIt is a lightweight application that does not consume significant system resources, making it a good choice for users who need efficient window management without sacrificing performance.
• Customizable Shortcuts
  Users have the flexibility to customize keyboard shortcuts to their preferences, allowing for a more personalized and efficient window management experience.
• Consistent Updates
  Being a maintained open-source project, ShiftIt receives consistent updates and improvements from the community, ensuring enhanced features and bug fixes over time.

Possible disadvantages

• Limited to macOS
  ShiftIt is only available for macOS, which limits its usability to users of Apple's operating system and excludes users on other platforms such as Windows and Linux.
• Potential Bugs
  As with many open-source projects, bugs and issues may surface occasionally. Though the community actively works on improvements, users might encounter stability issues or unexpected behavior.
• Dependency on System Preferences
  ShiftIt requires accessibility permissions to function correctly, which may be cumbersome for some users to set up initially. Certain macOS updates may also affect these permissions, requiring users to reconfigure the application.
• Lack of Advanced Features
  Compared to some commercial window management solutions, ShiftIt may lack some advanced features and customization options that power users might require.
• User Interface
  ShiftIt does not have a polished graphical user interface, which might not appeal to users who prefer a more visually refined application. Most configuration and usage are done through menus and keyboard shortcuts.

• Convenience
  Mas CLI allows users to easily manage macOS App Store applications from the command line, which can be more convenient and faster for those familiar with terminal operations compared to navigating the App Store GUI.
• Automation
  The ability to script installations and updates with Mas CLI enables automation of tasks, making it a powerful tool for system administrators and power users to manage app deployments and updates across multiple machines.
• Efficiency
  Mas CLI can handle batch operations efficiently, allowing users to install and update multiple applications in one command, saving time and reducing manual effort.
• Version Control
  Users can specify specific app versions to install or downgrade to desired versions, providing more control over the application's lifecycle and compatibility.

Possible disadvantages

• Limited to Mac App Store
  Mas CLI only works with applications from the macOS App Store, which means it cannot manage or manipulate applications downloaded from other sources.
• Dependency on Mas Support
  Any changes or updates in the macOS App Store’s API or authentication methods could affect the functionality of Mas CLI, making it potentially less reliable if not frequently updated by the community.
• Lack of GUI
  While command-line functionality can be powerful, the lack of a graphical user interface may deter users unfamiliar with terminal operations, limiting its ease of use for less technical users.
• Feature Limitations
  Mas CLI may not support all features of the Mac App Store, such as in-app purchases, subscriptions, or interactive app handling, potentially requiring hybrid use of both CLI and GUI.

No analysis of Mas CLI yet.

Tracking Shiftit since Mar 2021.

• A 100x faster* alternative to homebrew

  Directory specific tools (versioned if necessary) that are managed in declarative fashion is great. I use Brewfile too. Still prefer some stuff to be managed by brew. For example the browsers, App Store apps (managed via mas[1]) [1]... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago

• From Fresh Mac to Productive in 30 Minutes

  I always thought Mac App Store apps couldn't be automated. Turns out, there's a tool called mas (Mac App Store CLI) that allows you to automate installation of Mac App Store apps. - Source: dev.to / 11 months ago

• Microsoft wants Windows Update to handle all apps

  MacOS has a graphical AppStore but no easy way to run an update from command line. There's third-party project - mas[1] but it's limited by Apple constantly changing APIs. [1] - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago

View more