Welcome to My Shift Setup, a new series where we sit down with real Shift users to see how they’ve customized their browser to match the way they work and live. In each episode, VP of Product Michael Foucher chats with someone who has built a setup that reflects their unique workflow.
Our first guest is Matt Longpre, a lead developer at Shift. He’s been using the browser since 2016—long before he joined the team—and his approach to customization is rooted in minimalism. That less-is-more philosophy runs through everything in his setup.
I tried to strip away as much as I could and get right down to basics. I started with just a search bar and tabs, and only added things back when I found I really needed them.
From IT Consultant to Shift Developer
Matt discovered Shift while working in IT consulting, where he juggled multiple clients and workflows.
I liked creating different Spaces for each company I worked with. At the time Chrome profiles were just coming out, but I liked Shift better because I could keep it all in one window.
Years later, that same workflow still shapes how he uses Shift, though now he’s one of the people building it.
Building a Minimalist Setup
Matt designed his current layout by stripping everything away. Toolbars, buttons, and UI clutter were removed until only the basics remained. As he worked, he gradually added back the pieces that supported his day-to-day flow.
His setup includes three Spaces: personal, work, and his side project—Rockstar Bingo, a music bingo app he’s building (as Matt says, shameless plug). Each Space has an "anchor app" like Gmail that serves as the default landing point.
One particularly unique detail is his right-aligned sidebar. Most apps already use the left side for navigation, so moving Shift’s sidebar to the right gives Matt’s apps more room to breathe.
It keeps the app front and center and makes everything feel less cluttered.
Favorite Features
As both a longtime user and developer, Matt knows the browser inside out. One feature he uses daily: setting custom URLs for pinned apps. For example, his GitHub app opens directly to his team’s pull requests page, no extra clicks.
He’s also excited about Smart Link Handling, an upcoming feature that routes links into their matching apps. Instead of cluttering the general tabstrip, a Jira link opens directly in the Jira app.
It’s like tab grouping, pinned apps, and bookmarks all rolled into one.
Matt’s Tip for New Users
Start simple. Matt recommends starting with a clean state.
Don’t feel like you have to rebuild every browser control you’re used to. Start from the basics, then add things back as you need them. Because it’s so easy to edit on the fly, your setup can evolve with your work.
Rather than forcing yourself into someone else’s system, Matt’s approach encourages you to unlearn old browser habits and design something that fits your life.
Why It Matters
Matt’s setup is a reminder that Shift isn’t about doing things one way, it’s about building the browser around you. By starting minimal and customizing as needed, he’s created an environment that helps him stay focused, organized, and agile across his roles as a developer, musician, and side-project builder.
You’re never locked in. You can always reimagine your setup to fit what you’re working on.
Want to try it yourself?Download the first fully customizable browser and start building a setup that works the way you do.
