# Workspaces and Layouts

Source: https://metadock.app/docs/workspaces

# Workspaces & Layouts

Workspaces are how MetaDock remembers and restores your entire desktop setup — every panel, every position, every profile. Set it up once, use it forever.

## How Workspaces Work

MetaDock organizes everything in a three-level hierarchy:

```
Workspace  (e.g., "Trading")
  ├── Layout 1  (your main monitor)
  │     ├── TradingView chart (Profile: Broker A)
  │     ├── Yahoo Finance (Profile: Default)
  │     └── Order book (Profile: Broker A)
  ├── Layout 2  (your second monitor)
  │     ├── News feed
  │     ├── Discord
  │     └── Portfolio tracker
  └── Layout 3  (laptop screen)
        └── Slack
```

A **workspace** is a complete saved state. A **layout** is a single MetaDock window (typically one per monitor). Each layout contains your **panels** — browsers, native apps, etc.

Action

Shortcut

Save workspace

Ctrl+S

Load startup workspace

F3

Create new workspace

Ctrl+Shift+N

Switch workspace

Ctrl+Shift+W

Open workspace manager

Ctrl+Shift+M

Tip

**Think of workspaces like saved desktops.** You might have a “Trading” workspace with 12 chart panels, a “Development” workspace with your IDE and browser DevTools, and an “Entertainment” workspace with social media and streaming. Switch between them with **Ctrl+Shift+W**.

## Workspace Features

#### Unlimited workspaces

Create as many as you need — one per project, client, or activity.

#### Auto-save

Enable automatic saving so you never lose your layout. Configure the interval in Settings.

#### Home page

Set a default URL per workspace. When you switch to your “Trading” workspace, it can automatically open TradingView.

#### Startup workspace

Choose which workspace loads when MetaDock starts. Your morning routine, ready to go.

#### Full restoration

When you reload a workspace, MetaDock restores your browser panels - window positions, sizes, which profile each panel uses, zoom levels, even which monitor each layout was on. Native apps re-dock if they are still running with the same window title and exe name. This works even after a Windows restart.

Note

**Real-world scenario:**You have a 3-monitor trading setup. Monday morning, you open MetaDock. Your “Trading” startup workspace loads — 12 browser panels appear across all 3 monitors, each logged into the right broker with the right charts, exactly where you left them Friday. Total setup time: zero.

## Layouts

Each layout is an independent MetaDock window. Most people use one layout per monitor, but you can have as many as you want.

### What makes a layout independent

-   •Own panel set — each layout has its own collection of browsers, players, and embedded apps
-   •Own profile assignment — you can set a default profile per layout
-   •Own Live Info Bar — customize the toolbar for each layout's purpose
-   •Shared data — bookmarks, settings, and downloads are shared across all layouts

Tip

**Multi-monitor tip:** Drag a layout window to your second monitor, then save the workspace. Next time you load it, MetaDock puts each layout back on the correct monitor automatically.

## Auto-Tiling

MetaDock's auto-tiling system automatically arranges panels in a grid as you add them. You don't need to drag and resize — just open content and it fills in the grid intelligently.

### How it works

1.  Open your first browser → it fills the entire layout
2.  Open a second → the layout splits into two columns
3.  Open a third → it adds a row, creating a 2x2 grid with one empty slot
4.  Keep adding → the grid expands diagonally, up to **32×32 (1,024 panels)**

### Important behaviors

-   •Active by default — auto-tiling is on for every new layout
-   •Manual override is permanent — if you drag a panel to a new position, auto-tiling turns off for that layout
-   •Re-enable anytime — press Ctrl+Shift+0 to reset the layout and re-enable auto-tiling

Tip

**Best practice:** Let auto-tiling build your grid, then press **F9** to lock the layout. This prevents accidental panel rearrangement while still letting you interact with all your content.

## Layout Shortcuts

These shortcuts control how your layout behaves:

Action

Shortcut

Lock/unlock layout

F9

Reset layout (re-enable auto-tiling)

Ctrl+Shift+0

Equalize all panel sizes

Ctrl+Alt+E

Clear all panels

Ctrl+Shift+C

Toggle toolbar auto-hide

Ctrl+Shift+H

Float focused widget

Ctrl+Shift+F

Dock floating widget

Ctrl+Shift+D

Full screen

F11

## Window Management

Control the MetaDock window itself (not the panels inside it):

Action

Shortcut

Minimize window

Ctrl+Alt+Down

Maximize window

Ctrl+Alt+Up

Restore window size

Ctrl+Alt+Home

## Locking

Press **F9** to lock your layout. When locked:

-   •Panels can't be dragged or repositioned
-   •Panels can't be accidentally closed
-   •Your layout is protected from stray clicks

Tip

**When to lock:**After you've arranged your perfect trading dashboard, development environment, or monitoring setup, lock it immediately. This is especially important if you're running automation scripts — a locked layout prevents the script from accidentally disrupting your panel arrangement.