Magnetic Companion Windows
Local LLM Server Manager features a flexible multi-window architecture. You can pop out application tabs into independent companion windows, snap them magnetically to the main window, and manage multi-monitor workspaces with ease.
Overview
The desktop application provides two detachable companion windows:
- AI Assist Companion Window: Pops out the AI Chat Assistant for continuous prompt assistance and troubleshooting. Snaps to the right flank of the main window.
- Documentation Companion Window: Pops out this documentation guide for side-by-side reading. Snaps to the left flank of the main window.
Pop Out a Companion Window
Follow these steps to detach a tab or docked sidebar into an independent companion window:
- Open the Local LLM Server Manager desktop application.
- To pop out the Copilot Assistant:
- In the docked right-hand Copilot sidebar (or Activity Rail Copilot toggle), ensure the Copilot tab is active.
- Click the pop-out icon (⧉ Pop Out) in the sidebar header.
- The AI Assist companion window appears and snaps magnetically to the right flank of the main window.
- To pop out Documentation:
- Select the Docs tab in the docked sidebar, or open the Documentation workspace from the activity rail.
- Click the 🗗 Pop Out Guide button in the header toolbar.
- The Documentation companion window appears and snaps magnetically to the left flank of the main window.
NOTE
When you pop out a companion window, the corresponding docked section in the main window displays a banner confirming that the external companion window is active, freeing up screen real estate for your studio canvas.
Magnetic Snapping Behavior
The WindowSnapManager service controls window docking through three mechanisms:
1. Lockstep Synchronization
When a companion window is snapped:
- Moving the main window moves the snapped companion window in lockstep.
- Resizing the main window height resizes the snapped companion window height to match.
- Minimizing the main window minimizes all snapped companion windows simultaneously.
2. The Magnet Button Toggle
Each companion window includes an interactive magnet button in its custom title bar:
🧲 Attached: Indicates that the window is docked to the main window flank.- Click the button to detach the window. The button text changes to
🧲 Snap to Side. - Click the button again to snap the window back to its assigned flank.
3. Proximity Snapping & Drag Detachment
You can detach or dock companion windows naturally using mouse gestures:
- Drag to Detach: Click and drag the companion window title bar away from the main window. When the distance exceeds the detachment threshold (24 pixels), the companion detaches automatically.
- Proximity Snap: Drag an unattached companion window close to its assigned flank (within 32 pixels). The window snaps into place magnetically and re-engages lockstep tracking.
Multi-Monitor Workflows
Companion windows are ideal for multi-monitor setups:
- Pop out the AI Assist window.
- Drag the AI Assist window to your secondary display.
- Keep your primary display focused on 3D mesh reconstruction or video generation in the Studio.
- Capture screenshots with Ctrl+V inside the detached AI Assist window to ask questions while monitoring renders live.
Restore Tabs into the Main Window
To return a companion window back into the main tab layout:
- Click the close button (✕) in the companion window title bar.
- The companion window unhooks from
WindowSnapManager. - The main window restores the tab content in place.