Anchor Apps allow you to double-click a Space icon in your sidebar to instantly open a specific app. This creates a shortcut to the tool you use most often within that Space. It's a great way to save time and get straight to your deep work.

What are Anchor Apps in Shift Browser?

In Shift, a Space is a dedicated section of your sidebar where you group your email accounts and tools. You might have one Space for work and another for personal projects. An Anchor App is a specialized app that lives inside a Space and acts as your primary destination.

When you anchor an app, it becomes the "home" for that Space. For example, if you anchor Gmail in your work Space, double-clicking the Space icon will take you straight to your inbox. This helps you:

• Jump to your most important tools with fewer clicks.

• Stay focused by landing exactly where you need to work.

• Navigate your sidebar faster than ever.

How to set up an Anchor App in Shift Browser

Before you start, make sure you've already added the app to your sidebar. You can learn more about how to add an app to Shift Browser if you haven't done that yet.

Option 1: Set an Anchor App when creating a new Space

You can choose your Anchor App right when you create a new Space, so it's ready to go from the start.

1. Open the Create Space drawer.

2. Scroll to the Anchor App section (below Theme).

3. Click Select Anchor App.

4. Browse or search for the app you want, then click Select as Anchor App.

5. You'll see a preview of the selected app. You can edit or remove it before saving.

6. Click Save to create your Space. The app will be installed and set as your Anchor App automatically.

Option 2: Set an Anchor App from Edit Space

You can set or change your Anchor App from the Edit Space drawer at any time.

1. Right-click on the Space icon in your sidebar.

2. Select Edit Space.

3. Find the Anchor App section above the Apps list.

4. Click the dropdown and select the app you'd like to anchor.

5. Click Save.

Option 3: Set an Anchor App via right-click

If you've already added an app to your sidebar, you can quickly anchor it:

1. Find the app icon in your Shift sidebar.

2. Right-click the icon of the app you want to anchor.

3. Select Set as Anchor App from the menu.

Now, whenever you double-click the Space icon, Shift will automatically open that app.

How to manage your Anchor Apps in Shift Browser

You can easily change or remove these shortcuts as your workflow evolves.

Change your Anchor App

From Edit Space:

1. Right-click on the Space icon in your sidebar and select Edit Space.

2. Click the Anchor App dropdown.

3. Select a different app from the list.

4. Click Save.

Remove an Anchor App

From Edit Space:

1. Right-click on the Space icon and select Edit Space.

2. Click the Anchor App dropdown.

3. Select None.

4. Click Save. Your Space will now function normally without jumping to a specific app.

From right-click:

1. Right-click on the Space icon in your sidebar.

2. Select Unset as Anchor App.

Identify an Anchor App

If you're not sure which app is anchored, right-click on the Space and select Edit Space. You'll see the anchored app displayed in the Anchor App dropdown at the top, and an Anchored label next to that app in the Apps list below.

Related Articles

• How to add an App in Shift
• How to add a Custom App to Shift
• How to remove Apps from Shift
• All About Using Web Apps in Shift
• What to do if you're having an issue with an App in Shift
• What are Spaces

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