Mac Spaces tutorial: use multiple desktops for separate projects

Open Mission Control with Control–Up Arrow. Move the pointer to the top of the screen and click the plus button at the right of the Spaces bar. Add only the desktops you can give a distinct job today.

A practical starting set is Build, Research, Admin and Personal. If you work with several clients, replace the generic Build Space with one Space for each active client. Archive the Space when the work ends instead of keeping a permanent empty desktop.

Arrange desktops from focused to interruptible: deep work on the left, communication and admin on the right. This makes switching directional. Control–Left moves toward focus; Control–Right moves toward messages.

If macOS keeps moving them, open System Settings, choose Desktop & Dock, scroll to Mission Control and turn off automatic rearranging. Your muscle memory can then learn the sequence.

Desktop numbers disappear once you enter the Space. A wallpaper can keep the project name, work mode and colour in view without another app or menu-bar icon. Large type also stays recognisable in Mission Control’s small thumbnails.

Avoid busy photographs behind code or documents. Use a strong flat colour, a restrained pattern and a project label placed away from the Dock. Give related work a colour family and make different types of work deliberately clash.

Control-click an app in the Dock, open Options and use Assign To when you always want that app in one desktop. This is useful for a dedicated communication Space. It is less useful for browsers or editors that serve several projects.

For shared apps, move individual windows instead. The goal is to make context obvious, not to fight macOS every time your work changes shape.