ScreenFloat is a screenshot floating management tool designed specifically for macOS. It goes beyond the built-in screenshot functionality of the system, and its core value lies in the ability to instantly turn screenshots into always-on-top floating windows that hover above all other windows, making it convenient for users to continuously reference them while multitasking (such as writing, coding, and data entry). This guide will provide a detailed introduction to its interface, complete workflow, and efficient usage tips.

I. Detailed Explanation of the Core Interface and Workspace

After ScreenFloat is launched, its interface mainly consists of two parts: the menu bar icon control center and the floating screenshot window. It does not have a traditional main application window; all operations are initiated through the menu bar or keyboard shortcuts.

Menu bar icon: Located in the upper right corner of the screen. Clicking it opens the control center, where you can view all screenshot history, access preference settings, take new screenshots, and more.
Floating screenshot window: The core workspace generated after taking a screenshot. It is a borderless, resizable, rotatable, semi-transparent (adjustable) independent window that always stays above other application windows.
- Title bar: Appears when the mouse moves to the top edge of the window, and contains a close button and a “pin” button (lock/unlock the window position).
- Control Bar: Appears when you move the mouse to the bottom edge of the window, containing a series of action icons: save to disk, copy to clipboard, share, rotate, adjust opacity, scale, add arrow/rectangle annotations, add text notes, and more.
- Canvas Area: The central area of the window, displaying the screenshot content, where you can directly use the mouse to add rectangle, arrow, text, and other annotations.
“Shelf” Shelf: A sidebar-style temporary storage area. You can drag or send floating windows that are temporarily unused but you don’t want to save to the Shelf, and bring them back out when needed, keeping your desktop tidy.

II. Complete Workflow: From Screenshot to Management

The following is the standard workflow from creating a screenshot to final export.

Step 1: Create a Screenshot (Capture)

ScreenFloat offers multiple screenshot modes, all triggered via keyboard shortcuts:

Capture Entire Screen: Press the default shortcut Shift + Command + 3. The cursor will turn into a camera shape; click on any screen and a full-screen screenshot of that screen will appear as a floating window.
Capture Screen Area: Press the default shortcut Shift + Command + 4. The cursor turns into a crosshair; drag to select an area, and when you release the mouse, the screenshot of that area becomes a floating window.
Capture a specific window: Press the default shortcut Shift + Command + 4, then press the Spacebar. The cursor turns into a camera icon; move it over the target window (the window will be highlighted) and click to capture that window (with a shadow effect).

Location: All operations work globally and can be triggered in any app or on the desktop.

Step 2: Edit and Annotate

After the screenshot floats up, you can edit it immediately:

Bring up the control bar: Move the mouse to the bottom edge of the floating window, and the control bar will automatically appear.
Use annotation tools: Click the arrow or square icon on the control bar to drag and draw on the screenshot canvas. After drawing, click to select the annotation to adjust its size or position, or press the Delete key to remove it.
Add text: Click the “T” text icon on the control bar, then click anywhere on the screenshot to enter text. You can preset the font and color in Preferences.
Adjust the appearance:
- Scale: Use the zoom slider on the control bar, or hold the Command key and pinch with two fingers on the trackpad.
- Rotate: Click the rotate icon (90°) on the control bar, or hold the Command key and drag a corner of the window.
- Opacity: Use the opacity slider in the control bar to adjust the window transparency so you can reference the content underneath.

Step 3: Organize and Manage (Shelf)

For screenshots you need to temporarily store:

Send to Shelf: Drag the floating window directly to the right edge of the screen, and the Shelf sidebar will automatically expand; release the mouse to drop it in. Or click the close button in the floating window’s title bar and select “Send to Shelf” from the pop-up menu.
Retrieve from Shelf: Move the mouse to the far right edge of the screen, and the Shelf will automatically pop out. Drag the screenshot you need back to the desktop area.
Clear the Shelf: When the Shelf is expanded, click the “Clear” button (trash can icon) at the top.

Step 4: Export and Share

After editing is complete, there are multiple ways to output:

Save to Disk: Click the “Save” icon (disk) in the floating window’s control bar, or press the shortcut Command + S. A save dialog will appear; choose the format (PNG, JPEG, etc.), quality, and storage location.
Copy to Clipboard: Click the “Copy” icon (two overlapping rectangles) in the control bar, or press the shortcut Command + C. The screenshot (including annotations) is copied and can be pasted directly into other apps (such as email or documents).
Quick Share: Click the “Share” icon (the square with an arrow) in the control bar to send directly to Mail, Messages, Preview, and other apps via the system share menu.

III. Advanced Tips for Common Features

Batch Management: In the “All Screenshots” list in the menu bar control center, you can select multiple screenshots and then batch delete, export, or add them to Shelf.
Quick Reference Mode: In the floating window control bar, set opacity below 30% and lock the position (click the pin icon in the title bar) to create a semi-transparent reference layer that does not interfere with operations underneath.
Custom Screenshot Actions: In “System Preferences” > “Keyboard” > “Shortcuts” > “Screenshots”, you can modify the system-level screenshot shortcuts. These changes are automatically inherited by ScreenFloat, enabling a fully personalized shortcut scheme.
Deep Integration with Preview App: Click “Open in Preview” in the floating window control bar to send the screenshot to the “Preview” app for more complex editing (such as size adjustment and advanced annotations). After editing, you can still drag it back to ScreenFloat as a floating window.

IV. Common Problems and Solutions

Problem 1: Shortcuts Not Working
- Check: Make sure ScreenFloat has been authorized in “System Preferences” > “Security & Privacy” > “Privacy” > “Accessibility” and “Screen Recording”.
- Solution: Check the ScreenFloat checkbox and restart the app.
Issue 2: Floating windows won’t stay on top or disappear unexpectedly
- Check: You may have accidentally clicked the “Close” button on the title bar, or used the “Hide All Floating Windows” shortcut (default Shift + Command + H).
- Solution: Find them again from “All Screenshots” in the menu bar control center or in the Shelf. Use Shift + Command + H to show all hidden windows again.
Issue 3: Screenshots are blurry or the size is wrong
- Check: You may have captured a non-Retina display window, or scaling caused the issue.
- Solution: Try using “Capture Specific Window” mode (Shift+Command+4+Space) to take the screenshot again, making sure to get the native resolution. Choose PNG lossless format when saving.
Issue 4: Shelf doesn’t pop up automatically
- Check: The Shelf auto-show feature may have been turned off.
- Solution: Click the menu bar icon, go to “Preferences” > “Shelf”, and make sure the “Automatically show and hide Shelf” option is checked.

V. Keyboard Shortcuts Summary (Mac Version)

Function Category	Action Description	Default Shortcut
Screenshot Capture	Capture the entire screen	Shift + Command + 3
Capture a screen area	Shift + Command + 4
Capture a specific app window	Shift + Command + 4, then press Space
Floating Window Operations	Save floating window to disk	Command + S
Copy floating window to clipboard	Command + C
Close current floating window	Command + W
Hide/show all floating windows	Shift + Command + H
Lock/unlock floating window position	Command + L
Send floating window to Shelf	Command + Shift + S
Annotation & Editing	Delete selected annotation (arrows, boxes, etc.)	Delete key
Shelf Clipboard	Show/hide Shelf	Command + Shift + F
Clear all items in Shelf	Press Command + Delete while Shelf is expanded