This is an interesting topic indeed. I remember back in the days when I was using two monitors, then I noticed a few things that I didn't like:
I had to move my head left and right, or up and down in order to follow whatever I was doing (it was hurting my neck)
When I was "tabbing" between windows, sometimes I was missing the focus because the app was in the other screen
Now I use only one monitor, and here's a few more tips:
Always use virtual desktops!
My first virtual desktop is for development (editor and browser)
My second virtual desktop is for communications and any other app related to work not related to development (slack and harvest)
My third virtual desktop is for background processes and entertainment (I tend to open a private browser with youtube running in the 3rd desktop)
Limit each visual desktop to max of 4 applications, ideally 2 applications is the best
Sometimes you need to use more than 2 apps (like insomnia, figma, or some database gui), and it's ok, but the workflow changes when it's 2 and more than 2 apps: for 2 apps: Use alt/cmd+tab, it's easier to move between apps when there are only 2, it help you focus on two things at a time (and it will depend on the virtual desktop) for more than 2 apps: If your OS allows to use some sort of alt/cmd+#app-number then take advantage of it, you will be typing less than walking through the apps
Use global shortcuts for your terminal on any desktop
Mac iterm2 allows to hide the window from the app-switcher, and set up a global shortcut to rise the terminal Linux guake/yakuake are both great, and allow the same behavior as iterm2 Windows there's nothing that can help here, it means, the first virtual desktop will always use 3 apps ):
Other gotchas
When using the editor + the browser, try to focus the editor windows in the 2nd third of the screen so that your eyes are focused a little bit to the left of the center of the screen, also, it allows you to see some changes in the browser
The idea of this is to avoid having to move your eyes all the way to the left side of the screen to read code, and move it back to the center of the screen to see something in particular.
If you're using devtools and feel like you need more space, use more often the "responsive" mode.
And that's it!
EDIT
One more thing, always use shortcuts to switch between virtual desktops, personally I have found these shortcuts ctrl+f[123] very useful for both mac and linux (haven't found a good solution for windows).
Indeed I tried to take care of this comment, the reason behind: I remember when I was using two monitors at work, then I decided to leave one of them, and the rest of the team was wondering "wut?!" so eventually I decided to prepare a few good arguments for it, and the final evidence is that I usually move fast between apps (which makes me look like a magician haha). Anyways I appreciate you took the time to read ^^.
This is an interesting topic indeed. I remember back in the days when I was using two monitors, then I noticed a few things that I didn't like:
Now I use only one monitor, and here's a few more tips:
Always use virtual desktops!
Limit each visual desktop to max of 4 applications, ideally 2 applications is the best
Sometimes you need to use more than 2 apps (like insomnia, figma, or some database gui), and it's ok, but the workflow changes when it's 2 and more than 2 apps:
for 2 apps: Use
alt/cmd+tab, it's easier to move between apps when there are only 2, it help you focus on two things at a time (and it will depend on the virtual desktop)for more than 2 apps: If your OS allows to use some sort of
alt/cmd+#app-numberthen take advantage of it, you will be typing less than walking through the appsUse global shortcuts for your terminal on any desktop
Mac iterm2 allows to hide the window from the app-switcher, and set up a global shortcut to rise the terminal
Linux guake/yakuake are both great, and allow the same behavior as iterm2
Windows there's nothing that can help here, it means, the first virtual desktop will always use 3 apps ):
Other gotchas
The idea of this is to avoid having to move your eyes all the way to the left side of the screen to read code, and move it back to the center of the screen to see something in particular.
And that's it!
EDIT
One more thing, always use shortcuts to switch between virtual desktops, personally I have found these shortcuts
ctrl+f[123]very useful for both mac and linux (haven't found a good solution for windows).This is really a @well crafted comment. I appreciate you taking the time to write about these valid points. I wish I could pin your comment.
Indeed I tried to take care of this comment, the reason behind: I remember when I was using two monitors at work, then I decided to leave one of them, and the rest of the team was wondering "wut?!" so eventually I decided to prepare a few good arguments for it, and the final evidence is that I usually move fast between apps (which makes me look like a magician haha). Anyways I appreciate you took the time to read ^^.
These are evident signs of a true brave warrior. Keep pushing forward, brah.