The Castra manual.

Find your way around.

Point atTap anything in the screenshot.

The main screen with numbered parts

Up and running in three steps.

  1. Add

    Pick an app, a website or a command.

    The Add workspace menu: Application, Website, Command

  2. Place

    Choose the display. Fine-tune the spot whenever you like.

    Choosing the display a workspace opens on

  3. Launch

    Hit Launch all. Everything opens and lands in place.

    Launch all, bottom right in Castra, next to Clear cache

Add a workspace.

A workspace is one window Castra opens for you.

Add workspace menu Pick the display Paste the website address The new workspace in the list
  • ApplicationAny .exe or shortcut
  • WebsiteOpens in your browser
  • CommandLike Win+R: slack://, calc

Exactly where you want it.

Click the layout icon on a workspace.

  • Drag or resize the frame right on your display.
  • Or type it — position and size to the pixel.
  • Switch display at the top of the dialog.
Your display while you place a window
The window's frame, which you drag and resize
The Edit layout dialog with position and size

Make each one behave.

Click — or double-click a workspace.

Editing a website workspace
  • ZoomEach website at its own zoom.
  • VolumeQuieter or louder, per workspace.
  • App modeA website without the browser toolbar.
  • Auto sign-inPresses “Sign in” once your browser has filled in the saved password.
  • Run as administratorOne UAC prompt when you switch it on, silent after that.
  • Background onlyStarts the app, places no window.
  • Click sequenceClicks for you after the window opens — a login, a tab, a button.
  • NameLeave it empty — Castra names it from the app or address.

One by one, each in its place.

opens one workspace. Launch all opens the whole profile — the ring shows what's happening.

Workspaces launching one after another: done, in progress, waiting
  • Already open?Start another copy, move the open window into place, or skip it — your call in Settings.
  • Display unplugged?Its workspaces get a Display offline tag and open on your main display.
  • Clear cacheHard-refreshes stuck dashboard windows; each one stays covered until its page has reloaded.

Different days, different setups.

Profiles

One set of workspaces per occasion. Switch with the tabs on top; create, rename, duplicate or delete them with the slider icon next to the tabs.

Managing profiles

Displays

  • Click a display or its chip to see only its workspaces. The radar shows all again.
  • Right-click a display to change its colour.
  • Hover a chip — the real display lights up so you know which is which.
  • Plug or unplug a monitor — Castra updates by itself.
Display 03 selected: only its workspaces are listed

The browser, under control.

  • Volume per tab. Castra's volume multiplies the site's own — YouTube at 50% and Castra at 40% plays at 20%.
  • Zoom that sticks, even right after a restart.
  • Auto sign-in for the workspaces where you switch it on.
  • A mixer in the toolbar for every tab that plays sound.
  1. Open Castra in the Chrome Web Store and click Add to Chrome.
    Chrome Web Store
  2. In Edge, allow extensions from other stores when it asks.
  3. Pin the Castra icon. Works in Chrome, Edge and Brave.
The Castra mixer: volume of the current tab and of other tabs playing sound

Set it once, forget it.

The gear icon, top right.

The settings dialog
  • Start with Windows…and launch a profile right after you sign in.
  • Keep running in the trayClosing the window keeps Castra — and volume, zoom, sign-in — working.
  • If an app is already runningNew copyMove itSkip
  • Export · ImportAll profiles in one file — a backup, or a setup to share with a colleague.
  • Reduce animationsStill logo and radar, flat display map.
  • Browser & profileWhich browser — and which of its profiles — websites open in.
Castra in the light theme Castra in the dark theme

Faster with the keyboard.

Ctrl+KLaunch anything or run a command by typing.
F1Opens this manual.
EscCloses the open dialog.
↑↓↵Pick and run in the search.
DragReorder workspaces — that's the launch order too.
2× clickEdit a workspace.
Right clickA display: change its colour.
HoverA workspace: its window lights up on the map.
The search: launch a workspace or run a command

Something off?

Volume or zoom doesn't change

Install the browser extension, then reload the page. The status at the bottom says Extension linked when it's on.

A window opens in the wrong spot

Click the layout icon on the workspace and place it again — drag the frame or type the position.

An app asks for administrator rights every time

Switch on Run as administrator for it: one UAC prompt now, then it starts silently.

Websites open in the wrong browser profile

Settings → Browser profile.

Auto sign-in didn't press the button

Your browser has to fill in the saved password by itself, and the window has to be visible on screen. It tries once per window — sign in by hand if it didn't work.

Something else

The bug icon, top right: describe it, paste a screenshot, send. It goes straight to the developer.

Reporting a bug with screenshots